Would You Recommend Baldur's Gate?

[alphamalet]

I see that Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition is on sale right now, and I was wondering if you guys think that the game is worth playing. I'm on the fence, and I'd like something to go on besides gameplay videos.

A little about my gaming tastes:

Generally speaking, I detest modern WRPGs. I find them to be awful hybrids between the action and RPG genres, lacking the gameplay depth a true RPG could offer, whilst not being snappy enough to satisfy my itch for an action game either. I do not like games like Fallout 3, Elder Scrolls, Kingdoms of Amalur, Alpha Protocol, or Mass Effect. I primarily stick to JRPGs, SRPGs, or games in the genre that are truly going to make me think rather than rely on my reflexes.

With that being said, I came upon Dragon Age: Origins back when it came out and decided to give it a shot. In short, I loved Dragon Age: Origins. It is one of my favorite RPGs, and I've poured over 100 hours into the game.

Now some have told me that Dragon Age is something of a "spiritual successor" to Baldur's Gate. Is this true? If I like Dragon Age, then will I like Baldur's Gate? If so, is the Enhanced Edition the way to play it? I usually don't mind playing older games (played Chrono Trigger for the first time in 2011 and loved it), but is Baldur's Gate dated to the point of being bothersome?

Thanks for your input!!!!

 

[Lygus]

Have you played Planescape Torment or Icewind Dale? Expect similar gameplay from those 2 in Baldur's Gate.

All 3 have a deep, thoughtful storyline with many choices and responses to select from. It's all up to the player's willingness to dig further.

BGEE is probably with partly improved graphics, inventory and resolution, so it won't feel that old.

Once again, I think a person who hasn't tried the 3 classics I mentioned cannot call himself a gamer.

 

[alphamalet]

Once again, I think a person who hasn't tried the 3 classics I mentioned cannot call himself a gamer.

Or they just aren't somebody who primarily games on PC.

And no, I haven't played any of those.

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

I found it a bit dated. I persevered and enjoyed it (eventually), but it's aged a lot worse than Chrono Trigger despite coming out after it.

The combat is similar to DA:O, but a bit more complex (it uses D&D rules) and you can control 6 characters instead of just four. The story is cliché but decent; the second game is generally considered to be better in this regard. There's a lot of kooky humour in BG that's pretty endearing, though.

It has a horrid reverse difficulty curve though. Leaving the first town may well be the hardest part of the entire game if you're unlucky with the random encounters. I had my MC one-shotted by an Ogre or something my first time. I hadn't saved yet, either.

Save early and save often!

Also, don't make a magic user unless you're already familiar with old-school D&D rules regarding magic; I did and paid the price.

I haven't played the Enhanced Edition, though, so maybe some of the wrinkles have been ironed out.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Have you played Planescape Torment or Icewind Dale? Expect similar gameplay from those 2 in Baldur's Gate.

All 3 have a deep, thoughtful storyline with many choices and responses to select from. It's all up to the player's willingness to dig further.

BGEE is probably with partly improved graphics, inventory and resolution, so it won't feel that old.

Once again, I think a person who hasn't tried the 3 classics I mentioned cannot call himself a gamer.

I didn't play PC games when I was a kid. I beat Contra without the Konami Code, I'm fairly sure that I qualify as a gamer.

 

[broca]

I love the baldurs gate series, but still i can't really recommend playing the first one today (other than for nostalgia). At it's time it was a masterpiece and an extremely important step forward for pc rpgs, but it hasn't (at least for me) aged to well in areas like difficulty, battle system, interface, ect. From your description of what you like in rpgs i would instead recommend you my personal big three classic wrpgs: fallout 2, baldurs gate 2 and planescape torment. I loved Fallout 2 (a real rpg unlike it successors) back in the day, but haven't played it for years, so no idea how it fares in 2013. Planescape Torment is one of the best written rpgs i know: the story, the characters you met and the setting are brilliant (also, a level of different ways to solve problems that is unmatched by most modern games). Sadly, the graphics were not that good even 15 years ago and the combat is rather bad. So if you can accept bad graphics and combat mechanics for a truly unique story and setting this is your game. Baldurs gate 2 is better than baldurs gate in almost every single aspect and (imo) a great rpg even today. So if you want to play THE great bioware rpg try this one.

 

[Doom972]

If you don't have a problem with traditional AD&D rules (you'll need to read a guide to understand them. as they're not intuitive) and random dice rolls (again, part of the AD&D rules), I think you'll like it. It does require strategy, but luck will always be a factor (as much as in the classic Fallout games).

You might want to get the original versions of BG1 and BG2 + expansions from GOG instead of the Enhanced Edition, since the EE is likely to be discontinued (Legal issues), and you won't be able to continue your adventure with your EE character through the rest of the saga.

If you get the original versions, you can just download BG-TUTU (google it) to make the original BG1 much better than BGEE.

 

[alphamalet]

Is Baldur's Gate 2 a direct sequel to the original? Could I start at Baldur's Gate 2, or would you advise against that?

 

[Vegosiux]

Is Baldur's Gate 2 a direct sequel to the original? Could I start at Baldur's Gate 2, or would you advise against that?

It is a direct sequel, yes. I'd suggest starting at the beginning myself, and with the TuTu or BGT mods you can actually play BG in BG2 engine, with all the goodies the sequel brings. BG is a little slow tho, seeing as you only get up to level 9 or so.

Oh and really, mind that wolf right out of Candlekeep >.>

 

[aelreth]

It was the infinity engine games that allowed me to give western RPGs a second chance. It's debatable but I would suggest holding off on your run through with BG:EE until Beamdog gets the green light for the sequel.

Until then use GoG.

 

[IFS]

Is Baldur's Gate 2 a direct sequel to the original? Could I start at Baldur's Gate 2, or would you advise against that?

I would recommend starting with Baldur's Gate 2 personally, Baldur's Gate 1 has not aged well in my opinion but the second remains fantastic and when I played it (Just a couple years ago actually) it replaced Origins on my list of favorite games quite quickly. The plot of the first game is explained well enough in it and the characters are reintroduced quite well so you don't really miss out on much from not having played the first game.

 

[Azahul]

I just finished playing through Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition. It's my first time playing the original game, although I've played through the second game about a dozen times. Honestly, the parts that people are saying aged badly aren't that bad (or else they've been fixed), and the Enhanced Edition does a fairly good job of explaining a lot of the more arcane aspects of the AD&D rules. The story is entertaining, the graveyards and some of the dialogue options are brilliant, and the combat is honestly a lot less frustrating than a lot of the second game.

I do agree with the others that your best bet is probably to make a non-spellcaster character. I went with a Fighter, and I am very glad that I did. The mages take a good few levels before they start to get useful, and a lot of levelling before they can take more than one or two hits.

So yeah, I do recommend it, but once you're done with it you absolutely have to play Baldur's Gate 2. As others have said, it improves on pretty much every respect. Not to say that the original isn't great fun, it's just that they managed to make the sequel even better.

 

[Images]

Yep, go get it now. You must or else hand in your geek badge and any semblance of respect as an RPG gamer.

You'll love it.

 

[kingthrall]

I see that Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition is on sale right now, and I was wondering if you guys think that the game is worth playing. I'm on the fence, and I'd like something to go on besides gameplay videos.

A little about my gaming tastes:

Generally speaking, I detest modern WRPGs. I find them to be awful hybrids between the action and RPG genres, lacking the gameplay depth a true RPG could offer, whilst not being snappy enough to satisfy my itch for an action game either. I do not like games like Fallout 3, Elder Scrolls, Kingdoms of Amalur, Alpha Protocol, or Mass Effect. I primarily stick to JRPGs, SRPGs, or games in the genre that are truly going to make me think rather than rely on my reflexes.

With that being said, I came upon Dragon Age: Origins back when it came out and decided to give it a shot. In short, I loved Dragon Age: Origins. It is one of my favorite RPGs, and I've poured over 100 hours into the game.

Now some have told me that Dragon Age is something of a "spiritual successor" to Baldur's Gate. Is this true? If I like Dragon Age, then will I like Baldur's Gate? If so, is the Enhanced Edition the way to play it? I usually don't mind playing older games (played Chrono Trigger for the first time in 2011 and loved it), but is Baldur's Gate dated to the point of being bothersome?

Thanks for your input!!!!

I find it hilarious you think Jrpg's are better than Wrpg's cause I think the opposite opinion that J.Rpgs are some of the worst stuff to be ever made into video games. Its even funnier that your saying that dragon age was an rpg that made you think because i.m.o it was one of the most streamlined and generic rpg's out there with no soul or depth whatsoever with the classic lord of the rings plot.

Get Baldurs gate Enhanced edition its the bread and butter of old school rpg's however dont expect the game to hold your hand and its sequel baldurs gate II has a lot more interesting features but you really need to play the first one to fully grasp the brilliance of the storyline. There are others as well such as the witcher, planescape, icewind dale ect.

 

[freedash22]

Recommend? Hell yes! Ah, the RPG that had it all. I played Baldur's Gate 2 without playing this one. I wish I did. It was a blast! Just don't expect an easy, painless ride.

 

[briankoontz]

I've played a shit-ton of RPGs of all stripes and I believe Baldur's Gate 2 to be the very best ever made, it's ridiculously awesome. Planescape: Torment is arguably the best "thinking man's" RPG.

I didn't like the second Fallout game, but the first was great and it should be in line with what you're looking for.

Although I really enjoy some RPGs that have gone with more action, such as the Gothic and Witcher serieses as well as Dark Souls, I agree that it's disappointing that the "pure RPG" has suffered such a terrible industry fate. The good news is that Kickstarter has enabled a reawakening of the sub-genre, with Project Eternity, Divinity: Original Sin, and Shroud of the Avatar (though somewhat actiony) all coming out over the next year+.

If you're willing to engage with action to a degree similar to DA:O, Deus Ex (the original) is a must play.

 

[The Enquirer]

I have baldur's gate dark alliance. Now I'm not sure which ones you're looking into but that thing is great. Me and my friend poured so much time into the co-op version. It was just a fun, fun game for me to pick up and play.

 

[Azahul]

I find it hilarious you think Jrpg's are better than Wrpg's cause I think the opposite opinion that J.Rpgs are some of the worst stuff to be ever made into video games. Its even funnier that your saying that dragon age was an rpg that made you think because i.m.o it was one of the most streamlined and generic rpg's out there with no soul or depth whatsoever with the classic lord of the rings plot.

Hey now, you're doing Lord of the Rings' plot a disservice there. It was way more interesting than Dragon Age's "assemble an army, fight a battle".

 

[Maximum Bert]

I quite liked Dragon Age Origins as well although I think it dragged on a bit but I did not like Baldurs Gate it was just a huge pain in the ass especially at the start take a step save then repeat its tedious as hell and the combat is very unsatisfying. The second one is better but again I still cant enjoy it much but I will give it another go for the 5th time at some point.

Planescape Torment is much better overall the characters and setting blow Baldurs gate out of the water but the actual gameplay is pants I actually enjoyed it a hell of a lot more with cheats because I just did not want to play it but wanted to experience its world and characters.

I tend to enjoy more JRPGS than WRPGS as well to be honest mainly because there are so many of them so theres usually a few diamonds among all the chaff and they tend to be more diversified imo because of this fact so you can get very traditional and others with unique or very different systems.

IMO dont bother with Baldurs gate just play Torment if you want a good CRPG.

 

[Little Gray]

Not a chance in hell that I would recommend that game to anybody.

Its a game from the era of three hundred page manuals that expect you to know everything before you start the game. They tell you absolutely fuck all regarding the controls and what all the stats do. They dont give you anything in game and expect you to find it in the manual that didnt come with half the versions of the game.