The Temple of Elemental Evil

About

The Temple of Elemental Evil is a single-player RPG that mixes tactical combat with deep character customization. Set in the rural town of Hommlet, the game starts with a scenario shaped by your party’s moral choices, pulling you into a struggle against rising darkness. As you gather allies and explore nearby ruins, forests, and dungeons, you’ll face a mix of bandits, monsters, and corrupted locals. The game emphasizes party composition and resource management, with battles unfolding in grid-based, turn-based sequences. Spells, weapons, and class abilities require careful planning, and the world reacts to your decisions in ways that shift the story’s tone and challenges. Developed by Troika Games, known for their work on Fallout and Baldur’s Gate, the game earned praise for its complexity and replayability. Community ratings highlight its steep learning curve and dedication to old-school RPG mechanics, with many players noting the satisfaction of mastering its systems. While its 2003 release date means the graphics feel dated, the dense lore and branching scenarios keep it engaging for fans of strategic storytelling. The alignment-driven opening and morally gray choices add layers to the experience, making each playthrough feel distinct.

Storyline

Thirteen years before the start of the game, Hommlet was a peaceful town. Due to low taxes and safe roads, the area became prosperous, and the village flourished. This prosperity drew the attention of evil forces, who began slowly trickling into the area. It is not known where these forces came from, but the Dyvers of Nyr Dyv and the inhabitants of the forestlands of the Wild Coast were the chief suspects. As the presence of bandits, kobolds, and goblins increased, a local militia led by Waldgraf of Ostverk was raised to defend Hommlet. This only served to check the evil forces, however.