The second of the classic Gold Box games. Curse is a direct sequel to Pool of Radiance. It is the second of four games that form a series (the next installments being “Secret of the Silver Blades” and “Pools of Darkness”).
It is unique as far as I know for being directly based on the published D&D novel of the same name (by Kate Novak and Jeff Grub). It is sometimes considered a sequel to the book, with the various characters from the story making guest appearences with a lot of “something similar happened to me” dialogue.
I can see two main reasons why it was likely done this way. The best reason from a story perspective being that novels are generally better developed stories than, well, almost every other type of story telling. That’s the same “good” reason why so many movies are derived from novels. A writer may spend months crafting characters, world, setting and story and delve deeply into all aspects. (I do NOT believe novels are always the best version of any story! But the above is a clear advantage to the format).
The more cynical reason is the name may be known and consumers may snap at the associated product. So for this computer game, SSI and TSR may have thought all those fans of the book would be interested in the game.
I don’t think the result was hugely successful. Too much of what made the book work was too involved and complex for this early game with simple graphics and game play. And structurally you sort of follow in the footsteps of the book characters. I think this might have worked if you actually played the original protagonist, but then of course it wouldn’t be a sequel to Pool of Radiance.
Nonetheless the game can be a lot of fun. There was a period from 1988 (when Pool of Radiance came out) until 1998 (when Baldur’s Gate came out) when I thought Gold Box games were the best version of D&D done for computer. No doubt, by the end of that period the engine was looking pretty dated. But it was turn-based AD&D that captured much of the feel of a miniatures table top game.
There were other D&D games during this time, some were actually very good. But Gold Box were my favorite.
Features (along with creatures, spells and magic items) continued to be added to the end of the Gold Box era, but Curse of the Azure bonds adds two things that were MOST important to me. All other improvements were secondary.
— First was the “Fix” command. This was a part of the “Encamp” menu. It cast all available healing spells on the party and rememorized all previously memorized spells (with the appropriate passage of time). Wow did this simplify things! Healing and rememorizing after a battle was *by far* the most tedious part of PoR. From here it will not be an issue in any later Gold Box game.
— Second was the addition of the Paladin and Ranger classes. For me, its all about Paladins. I like playing Paladins. I probably never played a party without one (Well, the Krynn games also added Knight of Solamnia which was very similar. I probably ran some teams with Knights instead of Paladins!). But I would never *have to* play without a Paladin again.
My plan is to “continue” my team from PoR into Curse. Actually, because the party leader is a Paladin I will recreate my team rather than transfer them. But that first post should be up this weekend.
And I have very much enjoyed this trip of nostalgia with these old games! The gameplay and look is notably dated in a way Infinity Engine games don’t seem to be. But they also play very fast on a modern computer. And the nostalgia is strong for me.
DavesGaming 
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