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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Talon" data-source="post: 2008260" data-attributes="member: 233">Note: This review does not contain spoilers. I feel a review is for people who are thinking about buying a module to use it themselves. Just like when people dislike when others ruin the ending of a movie, I am not fond of spoilers. Please feel free to read.The Temple of Elemental Evil (original) was the first module that I ever ran as a beginning Dungeon Master back in 1986. The characters lived for a total of 1 hour, but it was the best darn hour they ever had. Troves of adventurers followed, many died, and years passed until the module was finally completed. Saddened that the quest was finally over, the temple of elemental evil became integrated in my campaigns. Still, I longed for the “good ol’ days” of 1st ed D&D, the temple in particular. Then, after two decades, a new return was foretold. Infamous game designer Monte Cook was reworking this legendary setting into an all-new adventure written for the third edition Dungeons & Dragons d20 system. I counted the days till its release. I was among the first people to get my hands on a copy.I must have stared at the cover for nearly an hour, examining the title, credits and back with microscopic precision. Then, I greedily poured through its pages, absorbing every last detail. My DM brain was tick ticking away at the horrors that awaited the PCs.  I read the whole thing in a few hours, and then returned to page one and started again. I was not disappointed. This module is every bit as good as its prequel. In fact, it was better in every way. What follows is my assessment:Adaptability: Although this is set in a standard, Greyhawk setting, it can be easily adapted to Forgotten Realms, or any other D&D campaign world. Luckily, nothing ties the adventure to any specific world beyond the names, which can be easily changed. The level variance can be lowered with some work, or raised easily.Content: 150+ pages of excellent adventure grace the interior. The remaining pages contain new magic items, monsters, PC handouts,  and a “worship section” that includes a prestige class, two new cleric domains, and a new game mechanic called “insanity.”  A 16 page map book is included in the back cover. Unlike the original, however, it is attached with that “peel away” rubber glue, rather than in a pocket. Personally, I would have preferred the pocket, but this is a minor issue.Cover: The cover is nice, but lacks the ominous appeal of the prequel.  Also, it seems to have little to do with the actual adventure.Internal Artwork: The internal artwork is extremely reminiscent of the prequel (line drawings) with the third edition characters featured. Overall, it was good, but not excellent. There are no bad or totally useless pictures.Layout: I was happy that they kept true to the original, yet made great improvements while they were at it. Like the cover, the layout was reminiscent of the original. It is quite well organized and easy to read.Maps: Excellent maps, perhaps better than any other module out there. They are clear, concise, and very nice to look at. I am blowing some of them up at my local copy place to hang on my wall.Play testing: One thing I admire about Wizards of the Coast products is the extensive play testing that a product goes through before it hits the shelves. The Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil was obviously no exception. The adventure was honed to a nice shine. It is virtually free of glaring errors (besides a few minor type-Os) and has smooth mechanics. Plot: The plot has everything that the prequel had and much more. It is has exciting hack & slash moments, role-playing opportunities, and many twists and turns. It is much less predictable than most plots, with a good possibility to extrapolate future adventures. It is well written and well developed. It uses familiar characters, as well as introducing some new ones. Some old villains return, and are joined by entirely new ones. It is also quit long and complicated.  Overall, it is every bit as terrifying as I had hoped.Price:   Almost 200 pages for $29.95 is a good deal. Compared to the Psionic’s Handbook, it’s a steal. No, it is not hardcover, but that is perfectly reasonable for an adventure book. Let’s face, the days of twenty dollar, full length adventure modules are long gone. However, if you look at it as at least 60 hours of solid, good clean entertainment, that works out to about 50 cents an hour. What can you do for 50 cents an hour? Movies are at least $1 an hour, and not half as fun.Bad Points: There is very little wrong with this adventure. It is a bit long and complicated, and I would not recommend it for novice DMs. Additionally, the surrounding area and its inhabitants could have been detailed slightly better. This is both a good and a bad thing, providing an easy puzzle piece for DMs wishing to plunk into their campaigns, but providing some missing pieces for those DM’s who have a less detailed campaign world.Good Points: The adventure is very well written and fun to play. Its long enough to provide several months to play, perhaps even years, depending on how often you play. It also provides many possible sub-plots that can be developed into further adventures. Those with lots of DM experience will truly admire the work that when into this book.In conclusion, go out and buy the Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil. You will not regret it, and it will become a valuable part of your D&D library. It is one of the best adventure modules ever written. In twenty years or so, you will still be looking back fondly on the good ol’ days. Then, perhaps, if we are lucky, we will see one of the role-playing superstars revisit this marvelous tale again, perhaps in another, even more exciting format. Maybe holograms and rocket ships next time? -Talon </blockquote>

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