Curse of the Azure Bonds

Curse of the Azure Bonds is a computer RPG created by Strategic Simulations Inc. and released in 1989 for the Commodore 64, Apple II, and MS-DOS. The Amiga, Atari ST, and Macintosh versions were released in 1990.

The game was directed by George MacDonald, utilizing SSI's revolutionary Gold Box engine that had established new standards for computer-based Dungeons & Dragons adaptations.

The game continues the adventures that began in Pool of Radiance, utilizing SSI's acclaimed Gold Box engine, which would power numerous Advanced Dungeons & Dragons computer games throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. Players import their characters from the previous game or create new ones, embarking on a quest to remove five magical bonds placed upon them by unknown enemies. The story takes the party across the Forgotten Realms, from the frontier town of Tilverton to the desert city of Haptooth Hill.

Combat remains turn-based and tactical, staying faithful to the AD&D 2nd edition ruleset with all its complexity intact. The Gold Box engine excels at translating the tabletop experience to computer form, complete with spell components, character classes, and the full range of weapons and armor. Players must carefully manage their party's resources, memorizing spells at rest and planning tactical formations for the numerous battles ahead.

While the Commodore 64 and Apple II versions maintain the series' traditional charm with their colorful but simple graphics, the Amiga port represents a missed opportunity. Despite the Amiga's superior graphics capabilities, Curse of the Azure Bonds looks barely improved from its 8-bit cousins, essentially appearing as an EGA-style game with a limited color palette and blocky character sprites. The interface remains functional but uninspired, with simple wireframe dungeon exploration and static character portraits during conversations.

This becomes particularly apparent when compared to Eye of the Beholder, released the same year by Westwood Associates. That game showcased what AD&D adventures could look like on 16-bit systems, with detailed first-person graphics, smooth animations, and atmospheric dungeon environments that truly utilized the Amiga's power. Against such competition, Curse of the Azure Bonds feels dated and visually unappealing.

However, graphics aside, the game delivers where it matters most for Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts. The adventure design by George MacDonald (who also co-authored the AD&D Module "Curse of the Azure Bonds") and the SSI team captures the essence of classic D&D campaigns with varied encounters, meaningful character progression, and strategic combat that rewards tactical thinking. The story, while not groundbreaking, provides sufficient motivation and connects well with both its predecessor and the subsequent Secret of the Silver Blades.

The Gold Box series, including titles like Champions of Krynn and Gateway to the Savage Frontier, established SSI as the premier developer of computer RPGs during this era. While Curse of the Azure Bonds may still have an 8-bit look and feel, it remains an essential experience for any fan of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, offering dozens of hours of authentic tabletop-style adventuring that few games have matched since.