How great of a game was Baldur's Gate!

[steelserenity]

I was just thinking about it the other day, dammit I loved that game!
My friend and I always used to sit up playing it way into the night, the multiplayer was
just so fantastic. I remember the unique inventory system of actually having to fit your
weapons into a square on the screen... a small touch but it added something to get really immersed in; it really felt like to had to figure out how to carry these items, unlike games like Silent Hill Origins where the protagonist somehow had room in his vest to
carry like 10 TV's, 5 typewriters and countless other weapons.
I was so sad when I realized my dad gave it away... I want it back!!

So, tell me Escapist, how did you like the game? Did you love it as much as me, or hate it?
Lets chat about Baldur's Gate!

 

[teisjm]

I loved Baldurs Gate 2, never really got around playing the first one.
BG2 was one of the best games i've ever played, it wa so big, and i really loved the world.
The game even managed to look great despite the graphical limitations of computers back then.

Don't remember the inventory feature mentioned in the OP beeing in BG2, you just had squares, but evey item had a weight, that would slow you down if you packed too much for your STR score to handle.

 

[steelserenity]

I loved Baldurs Gate 2, never really got around playing the first one.
BG2 was one of the best games i've ever played, it wa so big, and i really loved the world.
The game even managed to look great despite the graphical limitations of computers back then.

Don't remember the inventory feature mentioned in the OP beeing in BG2, you just had squares, but evey item had a weight, that would slow you down if you packed too much for your STR score to handle.

They were both great games, I played them both! I think that inventory feature was only in the first one, but yeah the weight thing was a cool idea that a lot of games adopted after that.
Glad to meet another fan !

 

[vxicepickxv]

I never really got into it. I tried so many times, but now matter how amazing I tried to make my main, he kept getting killed, which meant game over.

 

[Verdilian]

Hmm... I can't really answer that question as I never played the series. I'm hoping I may play it in the future though. Sorry.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

It was a pretty awesome game, challenging, but awesome. Helped if you had an understanding of dnd rules.

I played a mage through Baldur's Gate and then made her into a mage/cleric in Baldur's Gate 2 the storyline was great. Jon Irenicus is probably the most threatening villain I have come across in anything...

I still play it sometimes now. I was dissapointed when Icewind Dale was so linear but still played both of them anyways.

I don't remember the squares thing, I think perhaps you are thinking of Diablo 2?

 

[The Madman]

I generally consider Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn to be the pinacle of the rpg genre.

-Solid overarching story and narrative? Check

-Great cast of memorable characters boasting fluid and believable dialogue? Double Check!

-Multiple roleplaying paths and the ability to choose how you play? Yep!

-Beautiful 2D isometric art? Hells yeah, still looks nice today.

-Massive world to explore that doesn't sacrifice narrative in the name of freedom? Right on.

-Intelligent and tactical turn based group combat? Yep!

-Massive library of diverse combat scenario and enemy to combat? Again yep!

-Stunning orchestral soundtrack that puts many movies to shame? Ayup!

It's just a really, really, really good experience.


Still holds up fantastic today.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

Can you imagine if they made a game like Baldur's Gate 2 but with this generations graphics and voice acting?. I think the world would implode with awesome.

 

[SageRuffin]

Never heard of it until recently, me being a console player since I was a youngling and all.

And it just so happens that, oh look! I have no interest in playing this game whatsoever. Therefore I have no thoughts about the subject and never will.

And before anyone starts, the OP asked what I thought about the game, and I answered. Simple as that.

 

[Aulleas123]

Truly one of my favorite games of all time. I continually go back and play this game time and time again, it's that good. If your don't mind me asking, what's your ideal party and character (race and class)?

 

[steelserenity]

It was a pretty awesome game, challenging, but awesome. Helped if you had an understanding of dnd rules.

I played a mage through Baldur's Gate and then made her into a mage/cleric in Baldur's Gate 2 the storyline was great. Jon Irenicus is probably the most threatening villain I have come across in anything...

I still play it sometimes now. I was dissapointed when Icewind Dale was so linear but still played both of them anyways.

I don't remember the squares thing, I think perhaps you are thinking of Diablo 2?

Oh I know lol, having DnD knowledge made it that much better! It was so well made, but not over-complicated.
Maybe I am thinking of a different game... but I'm almost positive I was thinking of Baldur's Gate, it's the only game I remember playing with that certain friend that was anything like that, and we found that aspect interesting together...
hm....

 

[Benny Blanco]

I loved BG1, which I played extensively during the 1st year of my BA. It was responsible for literally dozens of "Shit, the sun came up while I was playing!" moments. Only Civ 4 has managed that since.

I got the complete BG2 on GOG recently, have been playing with my girlfriend.

 

[steelserenity]

Can you imagine if they made a game like Baldur's Gate 2 but with this generations graphics and voice acting?. I think the world would implode with awesome.

You know what, I think it just might

 

[AlternatePFG]

I had no idea about DnD rules going into it, got stuck relatively early on, quit it for about a month or so.

Came back, with a bit more knowledge of DnD rules after playing Neverwinter Nights 2, and had a blast.

 

[steelserenity]

Truly one of my favorite games of all time. I continually go back and play this game time and time again, it's that good. If your don't mind me asking, what's your ideal party and character (race and class)?

You know what? I honestly couldn't tell you! I was only around, I think 11-12 when I was playing it, and I cannot remember the character classes for the life of me I would go back and look at it now, but as my original post said, my dad got rid of the game . I do remember loving to be the run in quick, hack-and-slash forward kind of character, so I figured I must've been a powerful warrior kind of character lol. My friend was always the sneaky, more magical player.
Thanks for asking though! What was your ideal party character?

 

[steelserenity]

I loved BG1, which I played extensively during the 1st year of my BA. It was responsible for literally dozens of "Shit, the sun came up while I was playing!" moments. Only Civ 4 has managed that since.

I got the complete BG2 on GOG recently, have been playing with my girlfriend.

Oh god I love those moments though! Late night, staying up til 7am gaming. When it's a really good game you're super invested in, it feels like a real accomplishment, and not so much a serious lack of sleep

 

[ms_sunlight]

I liked Icewind Dale better than Baldur's Gate.

Of the Infinity Engine games, and discounting expansion packs, it goes like this for me:

Planescape: Torment > Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn > Icewind Dale > Baldur's Gate

Icewind Dale has fantastic tactical combat. Possibly the most fun and most challenging combat gameplay of all the Infinity Engine games, in my opinion. Planescape: Torment has the best story and NPCs.

 

[The Madman]

Can you imagine if they made a game like Baldur's Gate 2 but with this generations graphics and voice acting?. I think the world would implode with awesome.

Probably never happen unfortunately. As much as I love Dragon Age, just look at the number of recycled environments in that game compared to the Baldur's Gate games which often had you travelling to tropical pirate islands, twisted underdark passages, underwater cities, and hell itself in one questline.

The sheer amount of time it would take to try and craft all that in 3D plus the cost of voice acting all that dialogue would be crushing.

Nice thought though, but methinks this is one sort of game that could and would only ever work in 2D. Shame because if they ever managed to pull it off, damn, that would be pretty amazing to see the whiskers on Boos nose as Minsc charges into battle, hamster at the ready.

 

[Aulleas123]

What was your ideal party character?

I'd have to say I've fallen in love with being a rogue although on occasion I'll be a monk or wizard. As for race, I've played once as a halfling (which turned out to be pretty awesome) however as a monk or wizard I'll usually be a human for being a bit sturdier.