It could just be the difference of a computer game that is simply following the rules as they are written where there is no DM to intercede, and a PnP session where the DM can see what is going on and make on the fly command decisions.
yeah definitely an engine limitaion like the classic gold box games, ahhh the power of the human dual class ranger mage............... game couldnt handle a distinction between the rangers mage spells and the mages um mage spells so full power magic missiles from the ranger list, and being that a ranger can cast their mage spells in armour the engine limitations couldnt distinguish between the 2 lists again so casting delayed blast fireballs in plate, nice. most powerful class in pools of darkness (IMO) think was fixed in the gateway/treasures of savage frontier games, the amour thing was but i dont think the ranger spells casting at mage level was ahh good times