Play Pool of Radiance Online – MS-DOS Game

Game Overview

Pool of Radiance is a groundbreaking RPG that brought the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules to early computer gaming. Set in the Forgotten Realms, the game tasks players with reclaiming the ruined city of Phlan from monstrous invaders. Starting with a custom or pre-made party of six characters—featuring diverse races, classes, and alignments—players explore the city in first-person perspective, battling enemies in tactical, turn-based isometric combat. Progression is driven by leveling up, unlocking new abilities like spells or multi-classing, and gradually cleansing the city’s corrupted districts.

As the first official AD&D computer adaptation, Pool of Radiance set the standard for CRPGs with its faithful mechanics and strategic depth. While the MS-DOS version offered complex systems like varied currency and detailed journaling, the NES release streamlined gameplay with redesigned controls and visuals. Its blend of exploration, character customization, and challenging combat remains a hallmark of early RPG design.
Each game uses different controls, most DOS games use the keyboard arrows. Some will use the mouse , "Alt" ,"Enter" and "Space bar".