I wasn't much for the hirelings myself; I just used them to get a quick boost equipment wise. I believe you could get a +1 short sword off the level 3 thief, a +1 broadsword from the hero, and rings of protection from the level 4 mage (might have gotten something from the level 3 cleric too, but I can't remember). Cheesy, I know, but then so is getting stuck with huge amounts of kobolds or running into the group of ogres and trolls early on in the game. Btw, the post-apoc game I was always playing was Fallout. It's predecessor (Wasteland) also had a nice set if skills.

I know what you mean about equipment doing more than just the simple +hit/dam though. I don't recall much in the first game other than that. Unfortunately they didn't make use of intelligent weapons, or even weapons with alternate powers (a Rod of Lordly Might could have been interesting). Granted their boundaries were probably a bit tighter back then so far as what they could do.