128MB is the minimum requirement for RAM, so more would probably help. The CPU (min PII 450) and video card (min 8MB) are both in the mix as well, though. Did you hit the 'R' key to always run? There was a slowdown problem in Versistis, resolved in the
hotfix.
Direct 3D should give you better performance; Direct Draw can be slower, but can avoid possible problems some people have run into in the council hall or with cut scenes. I don't think there is any noticeable difference in image quality.