VGSources / Games / Strategic Simulations
tactical role-playing game
Pools of Darkness
By Strategic Simulations, released 1 Jan 1991
- Microsoft Windows
- DOS
- Classic Mac OS
What it is
Pools of Darkness is a tactical role-playing game from Strategic Simulations, released in 1991. It returns players to the Moonsea region for a concluding battle in the series that began with Pool of Radiance and continued through Curse of the Azure Bonds and Secret of the Silver Blades. The adventure sends characters into alternate dimensions on a large quest, with new monsters and spells and character levels that can exceed 25. Players can continue with characters transferred from Secret of the Silver Blades, carrying their levels, money and items, or create new characters. The game uses an evolved version of the system found across the series. Its listed features include single-player play, downloadable content and Family Sharing. The original platform list includes DOS, Classic Mac OS and Windows; its Steam release is listed for Windows, with a March 29, 2022 release date.
What players like, and what they don't
- Continue Secret of the Silver Blades characters.
- Create new characters instead.
- Features new monsters and spells.
- Character levels can exceed 25.
- Steam platform listing is Windows only.
- The adventure is tied to an earlier series.
Who it suits
It suits players looking for a single-player, tactical RPG adventure connected to earlier games in the series. Those with Secret of the Silver Blades characters can carry them forward with their levels, money and items intact.
Pools of Darkness offers a high-level return to the Moonsea, with the option to import characters or start fresh. It is a fit for players interested in a single-player tactical RPG and the preceding games.
