I can't get into Baldur's Gate...

[eimatshya]

Yeah, you die a lot in the IE games. Project Eternity has got me replaying Icewind Dale at the moment, and at first I had people dying constantly cause some goblin would one-shot them with a bow. Then my characters leveled up a bit, and now it's less of a problem. Save a lot, and don't be afraid to reload.

OT: I would at least leave Candlekeep before quitting (it's easy; just talk to Gorion at any time and you can leave; he's standing in front of the central keep). You may never grow to like the combat in Baldur's Gate; it's certainly not for everyone. Personally, I greatly prefer the squad based combat in purely turn-based games like Jagged Alliance 2 and Temple of Elemental Evil, but I can stand the clunky system in Baldur's Gate. Still, you've already paid for the whole series, so you might as well try leaving the tutorial area before you give up. Who knows, maybe it will start to grab you once the world opens up.

 

[Vern5]

So, I have Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 off GOG, and even rigged up Baldur's Gate Trilogy, so I can play through them all in high res, in one giant story, etc, etc. There's just one problem: This combat is garbage and completely turns me off from whatever roleplaying fun I have, and I haven't even left Candlekeep yet!

I'm in the practice basement where you get the trial party, and this combat is just godawful. The pauses interrupt spell animations, and there's just overall a bad interface for stuff. I mean, I know the basics of 2e AD&D, so that's not it...

Is Baldur's Gate REALLY worth suffering through this combat?

Don't waste your time. If you didn't play this game within the first 5 years of its release then you probably won't find it enjoyable. This game is commonly recommended out of nostalgia and nostalgia is a poor adviser. Apparently, the game gets better as it goes along but I've played several hours into Baldur's Gate and it was pretty much a dull chore all the way through. Strangely, the entire story of your character within the game is actually really fascinating but the game's presentation is so poor that it would be more worth it to simply read a synopsis of the game's events as played by other extremely patient players.

 

[Baralak]

I've tried BG before, I got the first for free way back when from PC Gamer. I've just never gotten into it. I only grabbed them off GOG because of a massive D&D sale that that site's wont to have. Still, that combat just kills my enjoyment everytime. Does anyone know if Neverwinter Nights 1 or 2 ever had BG's campaign remade?

 

[Geth Reich]

I got the complete collection of one, two and the expansions but I have absolutely no idea how any of the game's stats work-I've never played Dungeons and Dragons, I just felt I should check out some legendary RPGs (and I needed some games on my laptop).

 

[Vegosiux]

Strangely, the entire story of your character within the game is actually really fascinating but the game's presentation is so poor that it would be more worth it to simply read a synopsis of the game's events as played by other extremely patient players.

As long as you do not suggest reading the BG novels. Actually, forget I said that. There is no such thing as BG novels. No. No such thing.

*hiss*

 

[Vern5]

Strangely, the entire story of your character within the game is actually really fascinating but the game's presentation is so poor that it would be more worth it to simply read a synopsis of the game's events as played by other extremely patient players.

As long as you do not suggest reading the BG novels. Actually, forget I said that. There is no such thing as BG novels. No. No such thing.

*hiss*

I was thinking more about watching LPs of Baldur's Gate or reading the wiki.

wait... there were books?

 

[NeutralDrow]

Honestly, I feel the same way.

Oddly enough, though, it didn't bother me in Planescape Torment. I'm not sure if it was that most of the combat was purely optional, or that it was just slow-paced enough and with tough enough characters to be forgiving.

 

[Vegosiux]

I was thinking more about watching LPs of Baldur's Gate or reading the wiki.

wait... there were books?

Yes, but well...um...I believe the fandom (myself included) prefers to pretend there is no such thing. Denial can be a strong tool sometimes. Yeah.

No, seriously, they're shit.

 

[Towowo]

I've tried BG before, I got the first for free way back when from PC Gamer. I've just never gotten into it. I only grabbed them off GOG because of a massive D&D sale that that site's wont to have. Still, that combat just kills my enjoyment everytime. Does anyone know if Neverwinter Nights 1 or 2 ever had BG's campaign remade?

Actually a remake of it is being done on Neverwinter Nights 2 which is supposed to come on a winter release.

http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/167/index/3120312/1

 

[The Madman]

Considering you've not even gotten past the optional tutorial, I'd hardly say you're giving the game a fair chance. But hell, if it really bugs you that much then go elsewhere, personally I'm just glad you bought the games via gog and showed them some support.

Publishers and developers really need to realize there's still a market for these sorts of games. And thankfully with Obsidian's 'Project Eternity' it seems that message might finally be getting out! I'm so starved for these sorts of tactical party based rpg.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well it is a D&D style game with you controlling the entire party, this combat will remain through the entire thing so if you are looking for Diablo hacky slashy action I can tell you this will not provide it.

BG relies on character skills and your orders only, you set up your team and then let them do their stuff, when in trouble pause and adjust, if you're a mad skilled RTS player maybe even do it on the fly.

 

[marurder]

Is Baldur's Gate REALLY worth suffering through this combat?

No game is worth suffering. Just doesn't sound as fast-paced/fluid as you would likely prefer. So no. But I do like the game, it has a great story and has a lot of content to explore.

 

[Rack]

It starts weak. You might want to use shadowkeeper and give yourself 100 +5 arrows and a rod of resurrection with 20 charges or something. That should let you get through to level 4 or 5 relatively easily (but not totally trivially) and at which point you can decide if you want to go through the combat properly or not. If not you can use Shadowkeeper to make things as you like them, so long as you understand 2e D&D well enough.

 

[Fasckira]

The pauses interrupt spell animations, and there's just overall a bad interface for stuff.

Turn off end-of-turn pauses then. I only pause when I know I need to make a change of tactic or something, the auto pause thing just gets in the way.

I personally prefer BG2 however, might be worth giving that one a shot before you write the series off.

 

[Pink Gregory]

It's not necessary for the trash mobs of kobolds, but for the tougher fights that's what you want.

I think this would be relevant here.


[http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb65/Tobles_2007/?action=view&current=thefuck.jpg]

 

[Baralak]

The pauses interrupt spell animations, and there's just overall a bad interface for stuff.

Turn off end-of-turn pauses then. I only pause when I know I need to make a change of tactic or something, the auto pause thing just gets in the way.

I personally prefer BG2 however, might be worth giving that one a shot before you write the series off.

I'm using Baldur's Gate Trilogy, which updates BG1 to use all of BG2's gameplay systems and graphics, so I am using BG2's combat.

 

[Bertylicious]

It's not necessary for the trash mobs of kobolds, but for the tougher fights that's what you want.

I think this would be relevant here.


[http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/bb65/Tobles_2007/?action=view&current=thefuck.jpg]

You know what ? Due to the sheer amount of those fuckers in that pic, I wouldn't even consider that an easy fight, per say, even though they are just kobolds. (of course alot depends on your characters and where they are/what they have at that point) But I would think you would have to do some micro managing vs those kinds of numbers. (looks as if the guy/gal playing is in some trouble there, lol)

I was more or less referring to more your normal type mobs of 10 or so really where you don't even need to go into the bag of tricks and you could just let em' whack away without having to pause, but yea.

I remember that room! There's a lightning bolt trap in the corridor you can trigger with Imoen who can dodge out of the way and/or die (meh) to create a pinball of death that kills them all whilst they're still off screen.

Baldurs Gate is the bollocks from an age when men were men and you'd live longer if you didn't annoy Montaron.

Mayhap a week or more!

 

[Toby Stewart]

The original Bladur's Gate is one of my favorite games of all time. So much so that I couldn't figure out Baldur's Gate 2. With the exception of Neverwinter Nights 1, no game has managed to hold my attention like Baldur's Gate. The strategy involved in combat is simple, while still allowing for a range of tactics. The characters are engaging, and the storyline captures what I had imagined D&D to be like before I had any exposure to the game itself. Mind you, my experience with games is limited, so perhaps I just don't know any better.