Baldur's Gate series

[NumberOneSpinelApologist]

Do we have any fans here?

I have played the original trilogy to death (BG I,BG II and ToB) and I also enjoyed Larian's BG3, it really keeps the spirit of the series and is simply a very good game on its own.
Have you played any of the games in the series?

 

[corpus]

OH GOD I LOVE THE FIRST TWO!! I haven’t finished the second (procrastination, and school got in the way) but Siege Of Dragonspear was sick. I played for plot, though, because the combat system of the games overwhelmed me at first and I immediately turned it to the story setting <3

 

[NumberOneSpinelApologist]

Yeah the system takes some time to get used to.
IF it is any motivation, I always liked 2 more than 1 LOL. The story and characters and also more battle options (because you are higher level) made me love to experiment with different builds and alignments.
Evil runs are fun though more difficult with getting the reputation so low.
But that is nothing that a good donation to a temple cannot fix hahahhah

 

[Daren]

I love BG1 and 2! I put so many hours into them when they were new. Huge childhood games for me. Still have the old disc sets, in fact, though they don't run well on a modern computer.

 

[NumberOneSpinelApologist]

I still have my "golden edition" discs that included bg1, durlag's tower, bg2+tob with a bunch of popular mods, and with both IWDs thrown in the mix, and some other classics were there on a second disc lol.
I played the Beamdog version too with the new characters, siege of drangonspear and stuff, it felt like playing with a QoL mod haha

 

[Daren]

I have mixed thoughts on some of the Enhanced changes--a lot of the new writing sticks out often for having a different style (like some fairly lengthy cutscenes in BG1, while the original didn't have those after leaving Candlekeep), and in BG2 I found a lot of the quests that spawn in an NPC you need to talk to seem to bug out since they apparently changed the scripting to avoid them popping up in front of you but it led to new problems, plus there's the "tearing" effect on some larger sprites (but there's supposed to be a mod fix now). But I appreciate being able to run them more easily, and a lot of older bugs were fixed.

I never picked up Dragonspear, though. I've read some praise for it's encounter design, but narratively I don't think an interquel between the two fits, and I'd expect the extra Exp to throw off BG2's leveling curve something fierce.

 

[NumberOneSpinelApologist]

I did not have a lot of bugginess when playing enhanced, but yeah it just felt like...yeah...a mod. Just paid for. Which is fair. But yes making it easy to run on modern computers is a very big bonus. Especially since laptops are made without CD readers xD
Dragonspear was ok, but I don't feel a need to return to it, unlike the rest of the series that sometimes kept drawing me back to it.

 

[BugMite]

checks sig You bet I've played this series!

I didn't start playing the original Baldur's Gate (classic version) until a few years after its initial GOG re-release in 2015—even though I did play one of its sister games, Planescape: Torment, for the first time in late 2011 (and if there's one video game in existence I strongly believe is worth playing for its thought-provoking storytelling alone, it's PS:T )—and I sure wish I had played the original game and sequel earlier in my gaming life. After giving up on BG and trying again to completion over a year later, then later replaying it before giving BGII a second go, I eventually understood the hype, even all these years later, and replayed the latter almost immediately afterward. The more times I replayed BGII, the more I loved it, and realized that its meta-gaming was just one of the reasons that makes it so great, and why it's still commonly replayed by many to this day. It was only, I'm not kidding, just the day before BGIII was fully released (outside of EA) when I finally completed the Throne of Bhaal campaign for the first time (classic version), closing the final chapter of the two-game (and expansions)-spanning storyline of the adventurer from Candlekeep! I now consider these games, as well as the other Infinity Engine games, Planescape: Torment and Icewind Dale (except IWDII), to be amongst the very best RPGs in the entire gaming medium, across all eras and gaming systems, for various reasons.

I did play the Enhanced Edition of BGI in-between all that (and BGII and SoD later), and many of the additions/changes Beamdog have made to all of their EE re-releases have been a mixed bag, overall. Siege of Dragonspear was okay, with some, admittedly, rather excellent dungeon design and continuing the series' tradition of having some nice itemization, but probably didn't need to be as long as it was. The main purpose of the newer BGEE expansion pack, that being to bridge the gap between BGI & BGII, could have simply been done in a 5-10-hour campaign, instead of an epic, additional adventure that's something closer to 20-25 hours, and giving you too much of an exp. boost to start BGII when importing your toon. The newer joinable companions were rather pointless, knowing that you won't ever meet them again after the SoD campaign ends in BGII (being made after even the EE re-releases of both original games).

As for BGIII, I guess it was mostly fine, at least for being a distant (chronologically) and rather loose sequel to a saga that already had a proper ending, with an entirely different adventurer...until Act III, and not for the same reasons others didn't like that final act as much. Let's just say I will not forgive how two certain characters from the original Saga were handled, even if it most likely was the fault of Wizards of the Coast for the changes, rather than Larian Studios. I still haven't touched the game again, since finishing it over two and a half years ago...though I probably will eventually play it one more time with Discord friends who will want to do a co-op game.

I own the 4-in-1 Boxset of the classic original Saga, which contains Baldur's Gate, Tales of the Sword Coast (expansion pack to the original game), Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, and Throne of Bhaal (expansion to BGII). I also own a single disk case of standalone Baldur's Gate II:SoA, w/o ToB, as well the classic and Enhanced Edition versions of both games on GOG. I have installations of both BG games, both w/ and w/o their original expansions installed with them, and the EEs, plus SoD, installed on differing PCs to play at any time!

On a final note for this (long) post: Has anyone else heard the news about a possible remake of Baldur's Gate II in the works?

 

[NumberOneSpinelApologist]

and if there's one video game in existence I strongly believe is worth playing for its thought-provoking storytelling alone, it's PS:T

And for the dope soundtrack LOL
And the dope setting. The OG ad&d planescape setting is the GOAT
I did not replay planescape as much as bg2 but it is. Really good.
Did you play torment numenera BTW?

, and not for the same reasons others didn't like that final act as much. Let's just say I will not forgive how two certain characters from the original Saga were handled, even if it mo

Spoiler: act 3 spoilers?

So you did not like how they handled Jaheira and Minsc?

Has anyone else heard the news about a possible remake of Baldur's Gate II in the works?

Wow no, first time i heard about this, you know something more?

 

[BugMite]

And for the dope soundtrack LOL
And the dope setting. The OG ad&d planescape setting is the GOAT
I did not replay planescape as much as bg2 but it is. Really good.

I think the Icewind Dale series has the best soundtrack of the IE RPGs, but I sure agree that PS: Torment's steampunk-style scores improve the atmosphere of its then-unusual setting. It's those things, the way it subverts video game and RPG tropes alike, but, primarily, its artistic story that makes it a must-play for any and all gamers to this day. Given how text-heavy PS:T is—with literally a whole novel's worth of reading, if you explore everything and talk to every named NPC, and which reads just like a book—it isn't as replayable as BGII (at least, IMO), but I've still replayed it a few times, myself, discovering new areas and other things I didn't know were there before.

Did you play torment numenera BTW?

I have, indeed, and, while I know many CRPG fans were rather disappointed with it, I didn't think it was that bad, myself. Sure, I can agree that maybe it did try a little too hard to mimic Planescape, having lots of text to read simply because PS:T did, but I also thought it managed to capture the spirit of its predecessor well enough, particularly due to its atmosphere (even if it is a different setting) and a soundtrack by the same composer, Mark Morgan, that was very reminiscent of PS:T's OST. Admittedly, I've only play Tides of Numenera once, quite a few years ago, and I have planned to play it again at some point to see if my opinion about it changes in any way. Perhaps I could replay it for its tenth-anniversary release next February. (But I believe this is technically steering off-topic, so....)

Spoiler: act 3 spoilers?

So you did not like how they handled Jaheira and Minsc?

Nah, they were fine. I didn't recruit Minsc in my playthrough, but from what I've seen of him in BGIII, his characterization was spot-on....though it is still disappointing that Larian couldn't get Jim Cummings to reprise his role for the character. I was actually referring to

Spoiler

Sarevok and Viconia. The way they were both portrayed was a slap in the face to both of their epilogues from the original Saga at the end ToB—even their "Evil", non-redeemed ending slides. Sarevok especially was butchered by turning him into a Bhaal-worshipper, the very LAST thing he would ever want to do, amongst other problems.

Wow no, first time i heard about this, you know something more?

Not really; only the report that this may be in the works:

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/a-baldurs-gate-2-remake-is-apparently-in-development-with-the-original-co-lead-designer-returning/

Even though this only mentions Baldur's Gate II, I'm sure this will also include the original game, as well. My guess is that this is being done as a prep for a planned Baldur's Gate IV....cause you know that with the massive critical and commercial success of BGIII, having won numerous GotY Awards, WotC/Hasbro will now want to try to milk this series, and the Baldur's Gate name, for all it's worth, even though there didn't need to be third installment, in the first place.

 

[Daren]

Here's where I mention the fun trivia that the reason BG2 gave so much more dialogue and focus on party members is because of Final Fantasy 7.

The newer joinable companions were rather pointless, knowing that you won't ever meet them again after the SoD campaign ends in BGII (being made after even the EE re-releases of both original games).

I found SoD adding new companions rather odd for that reason (why not just keep your BG1 party to get a bit more time with them before most of them are removed in 2?).
I had poor luck in particular since the characters I used in BG1 mostly didn't make it as party members in 2; just Imoen and Jaheira.

Let's just say I will not forgive how two certain characters from the original Saga were handled, even if it most likely was the fault of Wizards of the Coast for the changes, rather than Larian Studios.

Apparently a pre-BG3 guidebook called "Minsc and Boo's Journal of Villainy" was the source for what happened with Sarevok and Viconia, along with other random stuff. Honestly, that and a pre-release interview are a good part of why I haven't picked up BG3. I don't think I'd be able to rate the game fairly on it's own merits.

My guess is that this is done as a prep for a planned Baldur's Gate IV....cause you know that with the massive critical and commercial success of BGIII, having won numerous GotY Awards, WotC/Hasbro will now want to try to milk this series, and the Baldur's Gate name, for all it's worth, even though there didn't need to be third installment, in the first place.

Reports have been coming out that they're been turned down once or twice by studios who don't want to risk making Baldur's Gate 4 and failing to meet expectations.
I've seen speculation it'd be based off modern DnD instead of BG2's edition, too, which I imagine would mean needing to rebalance every singe facet of the game, so it wouldn't be an easy task.

 

[BugMite]

I found SoD adding new companions rather odd for that reason (why not just keep your BG1 party to get a bit more time with them before most of them are removed in 2?).
I had poor luck in particular since the characters I used in BG1 mostly didn't make it as party members in 2; just Imoen and Jaheira.

Whoever was with you when you finish the OG BG1 campaign are all still with you when you (automatically, if the expansion is installed) start the SoD campaign...at least, most of them do, I think. I believe there are certain companions who were not included in the new campaign, for some reason (the BG Wiki should have the list). After which, you can simply rearrange the party as you want, with whomever is available to join. But, yeah, I didn't see the point in adding anyone brand new for a short time (in terms of gameplay hours), with perhaps one exception at the end who's part of the crusade in the climax. At least the party that BGII preset at the beginning will still automatically join you at the end, leading right to the beginning of BGII, no matter what your party was throughout the interquel campaign.

Apparently a pre-BG3 guidebook called "Minsc and Boo's Journal of Villainy" was the source for what happened with Sarevok and Viconia, along with other random stuff. Honestly, that and a pre-release interview are a good part of why I haven't picked up BG3. I don't think I'd be able to rate the game fairly on it's own merits.

Yeah, I heard about this, and even read some of that guidebook online...and the amount of retcons it had for many character biographies was just painful. Given that that guidebook was likely published to promote BGIII, even if the newest game did not directly make these changes, it still seemed to be a result things that changed for no good reason. I don't really blame you for not wanting to try BGIII, based on that, TBH.

Reports have been coming out that they're been turned down once or twice by studios who don't want to risk making Baldur's Gate 4 and failing to meet expectations.
I've seen speculation it'd be based off modern DnD instead of BG2's edition, too, which I imagine would mean needing to rebalance every singe facet of the game, so it wouldn't be an easy task.

Indeed, it seems WotC's biggest problem right now is finding a studio who would be willing to make another game, honestly. lol

It probably would have to be, anyway, since every D&D video game has always had to be based on whichever edition was/is the most current. It's why Neverwinter Nights and Icewind Dale II were based on 3E rules, instead of 2E AD&D, and so on. This has never been confirmed, AFAIK, but I've always speculated that the real reason the Throne of Bhaal campaign was made into an expansion pack, instead of a full third game as I think it should have been, was because it was the only way Bioware/Black Isle could make it a continuation of the BG Saga. Third Edition D&D had just officially launched the previous year it was released, so if they made it a full new game, it would have had to use that edition, which would've meant not continuing the story at the higher levels. It's also why Siege of Draonspear was allowed to be made with the original BG ruleset. But since this is a remake, maybe not necessarily. I guess only time will likely tell.

 

[NumberOneSpinelApologist]

I've only play Tides of Numenera once, quite a few years ago, and I have planned to play it again

Yeah same here. I think they did get the vibes right, at the very least.

Spoiler

Sarevok and Viconia. The way they were both portrayed was a slap in the face to both of their epilogues from the original Saga at the end ToB—even their "Evil", non-redeemed ending slides. Sarevok especially was butchered by turning him into a Bhaal-worshipper, the very LAST thing he would ever want to do, amongst other problems.

Yeah that is true..I always kept Viconia on my party, one of my fav companions. I always resurrected Sarevok and had him in my party in ToB, it was a very cool dynamic.
Especially Viconia's portrayal was out of character. Sarevok- I could see it happening, this was not completely implausible to me but still underwhelming.

I played as the Dark Urge BTW, and I do think that it was the thing that had the most of the narrative connection to the OG BG

 

[BugMite]

Has anyone else played the Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance spin-off titles? They don't play anything like the mainline BG games, but I thought they were still fun Hack-n-Slash(-RPGs) in their own right. They play similarly to Gauntlet, or Diablo without the randomization, wherein you choose from one of a number of character classes to fight your way through monsters to reach new areas. They also sport 2-Player co-op (too bad you can't play with more friends than that), for even more fun!

 

[NumberOneSpinelApologist]

I tried playing one of those, I beat the first level, then I took a break...and after the break I did not feel compelled to come back to the game. I played solo, probably I would indeed like it better in co-op.
I never really got too deep into the hack'n'slash RPG genre.