Baldurs Gate

[Daniel Ferguson]

Baldurs Gate is The Reason (please note capital letters) that I got into DnD, and then into roleplaying proper and is how I've come to become the GM that I am today with the friends I have today.

You owe it to yourself to experience these classic games.

Amen. See, you don't have to worry about 3 weeks of dice class just to play it. It does it all on this thing called a "computer" and there's an instruction manual too (which is FUNNY by the way). I recently bought the box set from somewhere because my copies were either stolen or burnt. 2 is by far more engaging, though it's complicated (story-wise). The rules set is a bit strange, being 2nd edition D&D, but it makes sense. And Irenicus... favourite villain ever.

He is a dark wizard of the highest calibre, in my oppinion. And don't get me started on how cool The Slayer is.

 

[s0m3th1ng]

I wish I could get infinity engine games to fucking run on windows 7... all the games seem to crash. BG2 especially...crashes when equiping itmes (Fixed that) and now it's crashing when I right click some itmes. GODDAMN ANNOYING.

 

[Baralak]

As far as D&D rules go, don't worry about it. The game is full of tips and tells you what everything means. I still recommend Neverwinter Nights more, though.

 

[Snotnarok]

I wish I could get infinity engine games to fucking run on windows 7... all the games seem to crash. BG2 especially...crashes when equiping itmes (Fixed that) and now it's crashing when I right click some itmes. GODDAMN ANNOYING.

Get it on GoG, they upgraded it to work on vista and win7, that's where I was looking to get it.

Well if I get both of them I gather it's better so you can mod BG1 to play in the BG2 engine, it's sounding more tempting as I hear your recommendations. I'm more tempted to get it now because of the sale, even if I don't plan on playing it till after I beat Dragon Age I won't have to pay the full price to enjoy it.

 

[The Madman]

The mod you're thinking of is called the BG1 Tutu mod, which converts the first game to the second games engine thus supporting new features implemented by BG2 as well as higher resolution visuals and a better user interface, not to mention the added bonus of never having to change disks while playing though I imagine the GOG version of the game doesn't have that problem anyway. Regardless, you can find the mod here. There are other mods which do the same, most notably the 'trilogy' mod which tries to combine BG1 and 2 into one massive game... but if you want the more pure experience first time though, then Tutu is the way to go and its my personal preference. (Called trilogy because BG2's expansion, Throne of Bhall, is often thought of as an unofficial third game since its so big in terms of content!)

That said if you're looking for the 'best' first experience possible, I'd also recommend installing the BG1 NPC project mod, which requires Tutu be installed. It's just a very, very well done mod which adds more inter-party banter and character relationships to the original game so that it feels a bit less... sparse compared to Baldur's Gate 2. Essentially it's the dialogue equivalent of the tutu mod, trying to bring the games story interactions to the same level as those of BG2! Very well done mod and I highly recommend it. Even having played with and without the mod numerous times, its often difficult to tell where the developers content ends and the modded content begins, it just blends it so well with the overall experience.

There are hundreds of other mods out there as well for both BG1 and 2, but honestly those are the only two I generally recommend to a newbie simply because while both do change and tweak some elements of the first game, they don't change the experience and remain true to the spirit of the base game, only improving it and bringing BG1 closer to its sequels higher standards.

As for Baldur's Gate 2... it needs no mods! Yes, it's that good!

So go buy em and enjoy! Yes, it'll be hard learning the game mechanics at first and you'll inevitably get frustrated the first couple times early in the game where your character dies a horrible, horrible death against pathetic opponents (Save often, I cannot stress this enough!). Baldur's Gate 1 especially isn't kind to newcomers and the D&D mechanics can take time to figure out. But Baldur's Gate truly is one of those series which is simply worth the initial time investment, proving to be one of the best all round rpg ever made, if not the best ever made!

I always envy players getting in the BG series for the first time because if you stick with it, my god, you're in for one helluva ride. Still ridiculously fun to replay today, even ten years after I first got into the games. But the first time, when you don't know whats coming, who's who, and where you'll end up next... Brilliant!

 

[Frotality]

baldur's gate is IMO, the greatest game of all time. so yeah...get it.

you'll have to come to terms with an old phrase we gaming geezers have...RTFM, or read the frakking manual. if you just jump into it right away, youll get creamed and probably not have much fun, but trust me, reading up a bit on how the game works first will go a long way (google the manual if GoG doesnt have it; im pretty sure there is a site which hosts PDFs of all sorts of manuals for old games.).

 

[Snotnarok]

The mod you're thinking of is called the BG1 Tutu mod, which converts the first game to the second games engine thus supporting new features implemented by BG2 as well as higher resolution visuals and a better user interface, not to mention the added bonus of never having to change disks while playing though I imagine the GOG version of the game doesn't have that problem anyway. Regardless, you can find the mod here. There are other mods which do the same, most notably the 'trilogy' mod which tries to combine BG1 and 2 into one massive game... but if you want the more pure experience first time though, then Tutu is the way to go and its my personal preference. (Called trilogy because BG2's expansion, Throne of Bhall, is often thought of as an unofficial third game since its so big in terms of content!)

That said if you're looking for the 'best' first experience possible, I'd also recommend installing the BG1 NPC project mod, which requires Tutu be installed. It's just a very, very well done mod which adds more inter-party banter and character relationships to the original game so that it feels a bit less... sparse compared to Baldur's Gate 2. Essentially it's the dialogue equivalent of the tutu mod, trying to bring the games story interactions to the same level as those of BG2! Very well done mod and I highly recommend it. Even having played with and without the mod numerous times, its often difficult to tell where the developers content ends and the modded content begins, it just blends it so well with the overall experience.

There are hundreds of other mods out there as well for both BG1 and 2, but honestly those are the only two I generally recommend to a newbie simply because while both do change and tweak some elements of the first game, they don't change the experience and remain true to the spirit of the base game, only improving it and bringing BG1 closer to its sequels higher standards.

As for Baldur's Gate 2... it needs no mods! Yes, it's that good!

So go buy em and enjoy! Yes, it'll be hard learning the game mechanics at first and you'll inevitably get frustrated the first couple times early in the game where your character dies a horrible, horrible death against pathetic opponents (Save often, I cannot stress this enough!). Baldur's Gate 1 especially isn't kind to newcomers and the D&D mechanics can take time to figure out. But Baldur's Gate truly is one of those series which is simply worth the initial time investment, proving to be one of the best all round rpg ever made, if not the best ever made!

I always envy players getting in the BG series for the first time because if you stick with it, my god, you're in for one helluva ride. Still ridiculously fun to replay today, even ten years after I first got into the games. But the first time, when you don't know whats coming, who's who, and where you'll end up next... Brilliant!

See this is the post I was waiting for, some psychotic bastard who knows how to look at it from the noob view and the "I've been there" view. You make a solid recommendation, my major concerns were just being raped by a game (Dark Spire style) and a game that knows how to give some fun back. And you informed me more than my head was ready for haha. Alright then I'll be giving it a try, I suppose I'll work on getting both being that the tutu mod needs both.

I mean psychotic bastard in the best way, by the by.

 

[The Madman]

See this is the post I was waiting for, some psychotic bastard who knows how to look at it from the noob view and the "I've been there" view. You make a solid recommendation, my major concerns were just being raped by a game (Dark Spire style) and a game that knows how to give some fun back. And you informed me more than my head was ready for haha. Alright then I'll be giving it a try, I suppose I'll work on getting both being that the tutu mod needs both.

I mean psychotic bastard in the best way, by the by.

Heh, it'd be a weee bit hypocritical for me to be taking offence at being called a psychotic bastard considering I call myself 'the madman'!

Regardless, yes, the initial Baldur's Gate experience I fully expect to frustrate, confuse, and possibly even anger you depending on how much patience you have. Not knowing the game mechanics during a time when your character is at their absolute weakest was not really a wise choice on the part of Bioware in terms of weaning players into the game. When you start in Baldur's Gate, your character is a level 1 punk, which in D&D terms and especially in ye olden D&D terms basically puts you on the same level in terms of power as generic town NPC #2345-F, with a lone wolf being a more than deadly opponent and fighting someone who can cast spells (gasp!) inconceivable. You know that helpless NPC civilian that in most games even at the start you casually dismiss as background scenery? That's you at the start of Baldur's Gate.

You will likely die, and you will die often. You will, like me, get so used to the 'game over' movie (Which to be fair is pretty neat, you'll see!) that it'll be emblazoned across your dreams each and every night. You'll awake in cold sweats staring at your hands with tears streaking down your cheeks as you ponder your own mortality and that of those around you. Life itself will be a hollow shell with the dawned realization that... that...

Alright, I'm getting a bit carried away now and exaggerating, it's nowhere near *that* bad. But it will be rough! Especially if you're used to playing newer games exclusively and have never dabbled in late 90's PC rpgs.

The upside of all this however being that Baldur's Gate is one of those few rpg out there where by the end, you 'feel' powerful! It's not just a matter of having better gear and a few new abilities, but a genuinely tangible feeling of advancement from where you once began to what you have the potential to become. There's a progression from that little wretch you start with unlike what you'll find in nearly any other rpg, and its so damned satisfying that I can guarantee you'll look back on those deadly wolf encounters with fond memories, whispering softly to yourself "I remember those days!" in a wistful old-man voice! And because this is quite an open world game it's not just that a character has progressed, but your protagonist which has. Dunno about most other people, but personally I tend to get pretty damn attached to those little lumps of pixels after awhile!

This progression is also emphasized through the story as well. I don't know if you're familiar with the Forgotten Realms setting, which is home to countless books and games including this one, but you'll be interacting with established characters on a fairly regular basis towards the end, not little bit characters either, I'm talkin full blown series protagonists like Drizzt and Elminster. Not only having progressed in terms of stats and abilities, but story wise as well! Hell, not to spoil anything, but it's even possible to be chatting with Gods and to have a child by the end of the series.

So basically it's rough and frustrating at first, but yeah, it's more than worth it! Personally I think you'll love it!

 

[Snotnarok]

See this is the post I was waiting for, some psychotic bastard who knows how to look at it from the noob view and the "I've been there" view. You make a solid recommendation, my major concerns were just being raped by a game (Dark Spire style) and a game that knows how to give some fun back. And you informed me more than my head was ready for haha. Alright then I'll be giving it a try, I suppose I'll work on getting both being that the tutu mod needs both.

I mean psychotic bastard in the best way, by the by.

Heh, it'd be a weee bit hypocritical for me to be taking offence at being called a psychotic bastard considering I call myself 'the madman'!

Regardless, yes, the initial Baldur's Gate experience I fully expect to frustrate, confuse, and possibly even anger you depending on how much patience you have. Not knowing the game mechanics during a time when your character is at their absolute weakest was not really a wise choice on the part of Bioware in terms of weaning players into the game. When you start in Baldur's Gate, your character is a level 1 punk, which in D&D terms and especially in ye olden D&D terms basically puts you on the same level in terms of power as generic town NPC #2345-F, with a lone wolf being a more than deadly opponent and fighting someone who can cast spells (gasp!) inconceivable. You know that helpless NPC civilian that in most games even at the start you casually dismiss as background scenery? That's you at the start of Baldur's Gate.

You will likely die, and you will die often. You will, like me, get so used to the 'game over' movie (Which to be fair is pretty neat, you'll see!) that it'll be emblazoned across your dreams each and every night. You'll awake in cold sweats staring at your hands with tears streaking down your cheeks as you ponder your own mortality and that of those around you. Life itself will be a hollow shell with the dawned realization that... that...

Alright, I'm getting a bit carried away now and exaggerating, it's nowhere near *that* bad. But it will be rough! Especially if you're used to playing newer games exclusively and have never dabbled in late 90's PC rpgs.

The upside of all this however being that Baldur's Gate is one of those few rpg out there where by the end, you 'feel' powerful! It's not just a matter of having better gear and a few new abilities, but a genuinely tangible feeling of advancement from where you once began to what you have the potential to become. There's a progression from that little wretch you start with unlike what you'll find in nearly any other rpg, and its so damned satisfying that I can guarantee you'll look back on those deadly wolf encounters with fond memories, whispering softly to yourself "I remember those days!" in a wistful old-man voice! And because this is quite an open world game it's not just that a character has progressed, but your protagonist which has. Dunno about most other people, but personally I tend to get pretty damn attached to those little lumps of pixels after awhile!

This progression is also emphasized through the story as well. I don't know if you're familiar with the Forgotten Realms setting, which is home to countless books and games including this one, but you'll be interacting with established characters on a fairly regular basis towards the end, not little bit characters either, I'm talkin full blown series protagonists like Drizzt and Elminster. Not only having progressed in terms of stats and abilities, but story wise as well! Hell, not to spoil anything, but it's even possible to be chatting with Gods and to have a child by the end of the series.

So basically it's rough and frustrating at first, but yeah, it's more than worth it! Personally I think you'll love it!

I've only recently gotten into WRPGs as JRPGs ...I'll be blunt, I HATE new JRPGs, the best new one I've played is Persona 3 and such. But the best JRPG I've played recently is Breath of Fire 4.

I've played some Morrowind (I couldn't stand how the combat worked but that game is fantastic), Oblivion, Fallout 3, Dragon Age Origins, Diablo, Diablo 2, Titans Quest, Mass Effect 1 and 2.

Gameplay is most important to me but if the charm is like Dragon Age I figure I'll get into it quickly. The way the characters interacted was just great, especially between Morrigan and Alistar (I'm not far into the game mind you). But I must say my patience is low but I can get determined mind you. I shall try it out when I can get the funds, xmas has drained me dry and no one I know buys games for me, not even as a kid!

 

[Agayek]

Alrighty, I feel a little selfish posting a topic about a game that I'm interested in buying but I've read reviews and watched some of a LP and I just don't know if I want to get Baldurs Gate, it and it's sequel are on sale on GoG.com and I'm on the fence here.

I've been playing Dragon Age Origins and I really do love that game so far and I'm told it's the spiritual successor to Baldurs Gate and the game is equally as good if not better. Now I'm not sure if these people are speaking through rose tinted glasses or what but I'd like some advice from the people since I figure people can give me a straight answer.

Edit: Added note, I've no interest in paper DnD and therefore have no insight in the rules of how it works in Baldurs Gate, if it's simple enough I'm for it but if I need a 3 week course in dice rules then tell me to pass on it haha.

Short version: Is Baldurs Gate 1 and 2 or just 2 since I hear you can mod it worth getting for 7 bucks each since I like Dragon Age Origins a lot and they're supposed to be similar.

Snotnaroks useless but mandatory added question: What do you put on your toast? Butter? Jam?

The Baldur's Gate series is one of the best RPG series of all time. Both games are absolutely amazing, and the sequel is easily my most favorite game ever.

It's totally worth the $10 or whatever it is they're selling for now on GOG.

 

[Lem0nade Inlay]

I first played Baldur's Gate II when I was 7. So I'm guessing the "rules" will be easy enough for you

There are a lot of DnD based spells etc. But they don't mean much unless you want them to mean much. There's a lot of talk about Save Vs. Spell etc. but once you get the "jist" of it, it becomes very easy to understand.

It is more complex than DA:O, you can have a greater party and there is more emphasis on details, if that makes sense.

Baldur's Gate 1 is amazing, however Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn is often regarded as the best out of them all, and I agree. It is essentially the same as Baldur's Gate I, except it is tweaked to perfection and the World is more fun to explore.

IMO, they are the best RPG's I have ever played, and Bioware has ever done. The storyline is fantastic and the side quests are numerous. It is a great game that you should definitely buy, as it is only 7 bucks. Shadows of Amn is my favourite RPG of all time, and a tie for my favourite game of all time.

Remember if you don't like the first, at least try the 2nd, and see how you go with that.

 

[andiblac]

My first suggestion, buy it, love it, it's the best RPG out there. Also, get Minsc, through the whole series. It just not the same if you don't have he and his miniature giant space hamster.
Secondly, mod. At The Gibberlings Three they actually have the original mods. Somethings are cut and sluffed before the game hits shelves and they actually have the mods from before that happens. BG2 itself gained 2 hours gameplay for me when I mod'ed it. It's well worth it, adds some great quests and *gasp* Boo gets stolen! IMO the 2nd is the best, do don't give up after dying the kajillionth time on BG1.
Happy gaming

 

[migo]

Alrighty, I feel a little selfish posting a topic about a game that I'm interested in buying but I've read reviews and watched some of a LP and I just don't know if I want to get Baldurs Gate, it and it's sequel are on sale on GoG.com and I'm on the fence here.

I've been playing Dragon Age Origins and I really do love that game so far and I'm told it's the spiritual successor to Baldurs Gate and the game is equally as good if not better. Now I'm not sure if these people are speaking through rose tinted glasses or what but I'd like some advice from the people since I figure people can give me a straight answer.

Edit: Added note, I've no interest in paper DnD and therefore have no insight in the rules of how it works in Baldurs Gate, if it's simple enough I'm for it but if I need a 3 week course in dice rules then tell me to pass on it haha.

Short version: Is Baldurs Gate 1 and 2 or just 2 since I hear you can mod it worth getting for 7 bucks each since I like Dragon Age Origins a lot and they're supposed to be similar.

Snotnaroks useless but mandatory added question: What do you put on your toast? Butter? Jam?

If you don't understand AD&D rules, you'll have a harder time figuring out Baldur's Gate. Even knowing them it's a challenge.

I wouldn't get it for the modding - for that, I understand Neverwinter Nights is much more worthwhile.