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Set in the popular "Dungeons & Dragons" (D&D) universe, "Forgotten Realms Demon Stone" follows a band of adventurers who inadvertently release two imprisoned demons; the trio vows to restore order before these warring creatures and their armies tear the world apart.
The action-heavy adventure lets gamers take control over three distinct characters ﾖ a warrior, sorcerer and rogue ﾖ with the ability to switch between them on the fly by tapping a button. Because each fighter has its own unique set of skills, the strategy in this "hack n' slash" title is knowing which character to use in a given situation. The warrior Rannek, for example, specializes in melee combat thanks to his brute force, while Illius the sorcerer can dish out long-ranged magic spells from afar. Zhai, a stealthy rogue, can sneak up on unsuspecting creatures and dispel a lethal slice from her blade, and is also adept at disarming traps. When not controlled by the player, artificial intelligence (A.I.) governs the actions of the other two heroes and does a good job at doing so. The game-play is seen from a third-person view, with a rotating "camera" that swivels around to see the many skirmishes from multiple perspectives. Because of the game's attractive graphics, special effects, and the fact dozens of enemies can be rendered onscreen at the same time (without any noticeable slowdown), "Forgotten Reams Demon Stone" enjoys a cinematic fantasy feel not unlike the three "Lord of the Rings" films. Non-interactive movie sequences that play during and between missions help flesh out the story and add depth to the diverse characters. The orchestrated musical score is also extraordinary.  The game also features a role-playing game (RPG) element, such as the ability to upgrade a character's level, items and weapons over time and experience. For instance, Rannek can learn new moves such as a "whirlwind attack," and can upgrade his sword to one that never dulls. Illius, on the other hand, can master fireballs and lightning bolts, while Zhai can sharpen her "dagger finesse" or acquire a magic charm that adds damage to her jump attack. The talent behind this video game reads like a who's who of fantasy and sci-fi: prolific D&D writer, R. A. Salvatore, penned the tale, while the voices for two main characters were provided by actors Patrick Stewart ("Star Trek: The Next Generation," "X-Men") and Michael Clarke Duncan ("The Green Mile," "Daredevil"). While the action is intense, if not a bit repetitive, gamers will be disappointed at the lack of "save points" throughout the game. Players can only bookmark their progress at the end of each level, therefore players will need to start the mission from the very beginning should their characters perish in a fight. This is particularly frustrating during the tougher "boss" battles later on in the game. Another beef: "Forgotten Realms Demon Stone" is relatively short as it can be completed in less than ten hours. And with no multiplayer option (online cooperative play would be a blast) there is little reason to replay the adventure a second time. Shortcomings notwithstanding, action gamers and fantasy fans who are tired of 3-D shooters will enjoy playing this exhilarating and cinematic D&D adventure. The Windows PC version of the game requires a DVD-ROM drive. 
Forgotten Realms Demon Stone is a fairly harmless T-rated fantasy violence game. You are never first person, never totally engaged in the action, and the battles never get gory or overly intense. In that regard it is a fairly mainstream T-rated game. If your child has seen and of the Lord of the Rings movies, they have seen more violence and intense action than is present anywhere in Demon Stone"
Kid Factor by Michael Anderson
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