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[Helios]

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-12-22-as-baldurs-gate-turns-20-we-remember-why-it-was-great
Baldur's Gate is 20-years-old. The influential role-playing game came out on 21st December 1998.

Baldur's Gate was developed by BioWare and published by Interplay, and takes place in the Forgotten Realms Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting. It was built with the Infinity Engine, which Interplay would also use for other Forgotten Realms games such as Icewind Dale, and D&D game Planescape: Torment.

The game was a critical and commercial success, with impressively high review scores and higher than expected sales.
Baldur's Gate is credited with reviving the role-playing video game genre, and it was followed by a well-received expansion pack, Tales of the Sword Coast just a year later in 1999, before a sequel came out in 2000, with its own expansion pack, Throne of Bhaal, in 2001.

There have been a number of failed attempts to get a third Baldur's Gate game off the ground, but 20 years after Baldur's Gate came out, there are rumblings Baldur's Gate 3 is in the works. Could we soon be set to revisit the world of Forgotten Realms?

 

[stranno]

It even had an unreleased Playstation port.



It was leaked in December 2009 and it is supposed to be fully completable yet not 100% finished. Tho better play the PC version because the PS one is slow as the continental drift.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Legendary franchise. It blew my mind when I was able to take my character from BG1 to BG2. I've replayed BG2 countless times over the years.

 

[Kadayi]

Heh. I'm still in the midst of replaying at present, although admittedly it's been on the backburner for a while as other games grabbed my attention. Good times though and most importantly I have the Golden Pantaloons safety packed away.

 

[Catphish]

omg I am so old

 

[Yagami_Sama]

I just played this series on Game Cube quite a long time ago and liked a lot.

And man, time does fly.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

I just played this series on Game Cube quite a long time ago and liked a lot.

And man, time does fly.

Different mechanics, story, and developer, but an exceptional game nonetheless.

 

[lefty1117]

To celebrate I bought Pathfinder: Kingmaker on the steam sale

 

[SirKicksalot]

Siege of Dragonspear and Neverwinter Nights are on sale on Android.

 

[PumpkinPie]

One of the best games ever made, I loved it.

 

[Scopa]

I finally got around to completing the first game a couple of years ago after starting and stopping many times over the years. What can I say? Completely lived up to the hype. I loved every minute of it. Masterpiece.

I went straight to the sequel, importing my characters and all and got distracted and a bit burnt out going back to back and so I dropped it near the beginning. It’s on my to do list for 2019. Can’t wait. Although I rather move my PC from lounge room to a proper computer desk before I do as it is the more comfortable way to play this sort of game.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

So, Spoilered question that you shouldn't read unless you played both games:

Spoiler: Specifically, from BG1 and from BG2: Throne of Bhaal.

Did any of you forgive Sarevok in Throne of Bhaal? He was a recruitable character and had a pretty fleshed out dialogue tree with the MC, with Imoen, Jaheira, and with Minsc. I'm sure he could interact with Edwin too but seriously who cares about Edwin? Screw Edwin.

 

[V4skunk]

Baldurs Gate 2 is in the top 3 greatest rpg of all time for me.

 

[Scopa]

Baldurs Gate 2 is in the top 3 greatest rpg of all time for me.

What are the other 2?

 

[down 2 orth]

Such a great series. Fun fact: not long before this released, game journalists had pronounced the RPG genre to be dead.

So, Spoilered question that you shouldn't read unless you played both games:

Spoiler: Specifically, from BG1 and from BG2: Throne of Bhaal.

Did any of you forgive Sarevok in Throne of Bhaal? He was a recruitable character and had a pretty fleshed out dialogue tree with the MC, with Imoen, Jaheira, and with Minsc. I'm sure he could interact with Edwin too but seriously who cares about Edwin? Screw Edwin.

Yeah I brought him over. Couldn't miss out on playing every bit of content the game had to offer.

 

[ClanOfNone]

Holy crap. I still have the giant folding sleeve with the CDs around here somewhere. I think it was six total with the Sword Coast. While 2 was superior in every way, there was something supremely amazing about playing through BG1 upon release. It was by far the closest approximation of DnD on the pc I had played thus far, and it was based on 2nd edition ADnD, a system I was readily familiar with. I regularly replay all of the infinity engine games, they are some of my all time favorites.

 

[AV]

It's been on my bucket list for some time, so 2019 will be the year. Picked up the enhanced edition in the sale. Anything I should know or do I just read the manual then get stuck in?

 

[Papa]

Great game. One of the first warpugers I ever played. I remember spending night after night in the school holidays at my mate’s place experimenting with different builds. I think we spent more time in the character creator than the actual game

 

[Papa]

It's been on my bucket list for some time, so 2019 will be the year. Picked up the enhanced edition in the sale. Anything I should know or do I just read the manual then get stuck in?

Wtf is with everyone changing their name?! What was wrong with AlternativeView?

 

[Kadayi]

It's been on my bucket list for some time, so 2019 will be the year. Picked up the enhanced edition in the sale. Anything I should know or do I just read the manual then get stuck in?

1. I'd recommend going multi-class. I think on my current build I went Fighter/Thief/Mage.

2. In the Friendly Arms Inn, there's a noble who will mistake you for a servant and give you a pair of Golden Pantaloons. You can't wear them, but you will want to hang onto those if you intend to play BG2 as well.

3. Save regularly and not just over the same slot.

I dare say others have more to add

 

[V4skunk]

What are the other 2?

Final Fantasy Tactics (ps1) and Xenogears.

 

[Hudo]

I hear it's a good game. Sadly, I couldn't get over the RTwP combat.
But congrats anway!

 

[ClanOfNone]

The original versions of BG1/2 had an exploit where you could carry over your entire inventory from the first game. It was finicky to get to work, but it gave you a massive leg up. I'm assuming it was patched out of the Beamdog versions.

 

[hariseldon]

BG1 came with my first pc. I never got particularly far with it but I remember being hugely impressed by the intro (I was coming from an Atari ST). I really should get round to playing it. That's the thing with PC gaming, however bad it gets with microtransactions and launchers, the golden age is always there if you want it.

 

[AV]

Wtf is with everyone changing their name?! What was wrong with AlternativeView?

It's a super old alias that's tied to a bunch of old junk accounts, trying to move away from it and I'm not smart enough to come up with a new one.

1. I'd recommend going multi-class. I think on my current build I went Fighter/Thief/Mage.

2. In the Friendly Arms Inn, there's a noble who will mistake you for a servant and give you a pair of Golden Pantaloons. You can't wear them, but you will want to hang onto those if you intend to play BG2 as well.

3. Save regularly and not just over the same slot.

I dare say others have more to add

Thanks! Gonna install over the Christmas break and get my ass handed to me.

 

[klosos]

Yep it's a masterpiece , its as good today as it was 20 years ago , from the start great characters , fantastic writing. Easily one of the top 5 RPG's of all time

 

[bati]

The game's amazing, but the sequel is mind blowing. I got into it heavily sometime last year and I'm thoroughly convinced that we'll never see another RPG like it again. Laser focus all the way to the end, and mechanically/structure wise it still holds up today. Chapter 2 is the single greatest RPG chapter of all time, and the pace throughout the game is very consistent, which is an incredible feat when you consider the scope and length of the game. Also, no other RPG relays the journey from a novice to godhood as well as BG2. Especially if you play a wizard or sorc - you actually feel like you have full mastery over time and fabric of the universe.

On a side note, it's funny how BG threads usually pop up over the winter lol. I've always considered the series a 'winter' game, something to play over the holidays.

 

[ClanOfNone]

Yup. The level cap was so low in BG1, I think most character started BG2 around level 7. You can be 40 by the end of Throne of Bhaal. If you are unfamiliar with DnD mechanics, 40th level characters are essentially gods in 2nd edition.

 

[anthraticus]

On a side note, it's funny how BG threads usually pop up over the winter lol. I've always considered the series a 'winter' game, something to play over the holidays.

More like Icewind Dale.

 

[bati]

I didn't mean the setting, rather that rpgs like BG are a good pick for winter holidays to play.

 

[Enygger_Tzu]

Baldur's Gate 2 and Final Fantasy VII are the best RPGs of all time.

 

[FranXico]

The original versions of BG1/2 had an exploit where you could carry over your entire inventory from the first game. It was finicky to get to work, but it gave you a massive leg up. I'm assuming it was patched out of the Beamdog versions.

Why do you consider that an exploit?

 

[Deputy Moonman]

Edit: Sorry... wrong thread.

 

[EviLore]

Why do you consider that an exploit?

Aside from a few special items, you're not supposed to be able to carry over your inventory between BG1 and BG2, just your main character's class and experience. BG1 has some items with special effects that are very useful, and endgame BG1 gear is still pretty damn strong: +3 magical weapons, full plate +1, gauntlets of 18/00, etc. Being decked out like that at the start of BG2 will put you way ahead of the game's intended power curve.

 

[ClanOfNone]

Yah, the game basically "Metroids" your ass in the beginning. And while there is a TON of amazing hand placed loot in the game, the opening hours especially are kinda skimpy with it.

I love these games so much, and I feel like the Beamdog versions are pretty great. Played through all of them on ipad and it worked amazingly well. Give me Icewind Dale 2 and I've got the entire Infinity Engine library in the palm of my hand. What a time to be alive.

 

[Scopa]

Yah, the game basically "Metroids" your ass in the beginning. And while there is a TON of amazing hand placed loot in the game, the opening hours especially are kinda skimpy with it.

I love these games so much, and I feel like the Beamdog versions are pretty great. Played through all of them on ipad and it worked amazingly well. Give me Icewind Dale 2 and I've got the entire Infinity Engine library in the palm of my hand. What a time to be alive.

Out of curiosity, have you played Siege of Dragonspear and if so, what did you think?

I’m sure I read somewhere that the original source code for Icewind Dale 2 has been misplaced, so don’t hold your breath on that remaster.

 

[ClanOfNone]

I haven't played Siege, although I'd like too. I was turned away by the lukewarm reception. Wasn't sure how much progression they could squeeze between BG1 and 2, given how you start 2 at lvl 7 by default.
Still, maybe it's time for a full run. BG1/2 with ALL expansions, that's a metric ton of content. Wonder how long a full run would take. There's the makings of a thread in there somewhere.

 

[OldBoyGamer]

BG 1 & 2 are genuinely great games for me. I'm not sure they've aged very well as more recent attempts at playing them have left me wanting more. But at the time of release, they were so far ahead of the competition. Brilliant, brilliant games.

One thing I've noticed is that no one seemed to have evolved the gameplay very much at all.

 

[longdi]

I just bought BG1 and 2 on Android Play with the Xmas discount and Google credits
Small ass graphics give me a headache. Is there way to play them on PC or Android cast lol.

 

[EviLore]

I just bought BG1 and 2 on Android Play with the Xmas discount and Google credits
Small ass graphics give me a headache. Is there way to play them on PC or Android cast lol.

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/380/The_Infinity_Collection/

• Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition
• Baldur’s Gate: Siege of Dragonspear
• Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition
• Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition
• Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition

Gather your party and venture forth

 

[petran79]

Collection was also available on Gamersgate few years ago, though the standard version

I remember the hype back then but never played any game. Only WRPG I tried based on D&D was Thunderscape, till I reached a dead end and gave up.

 

[Isa]

I do love the series a ton, though I have a heretic's love for KotoR and Jade Empire more. My sister always had more of the pc to herself and she got down on all the old pc rpgs back then. We loved playing through the Fallouts and BG series together but my fave back then was Icewind Dale. The intro narration had me captivated, and I remember I felt terrified to be in such an inhospitable place. But I really love them all.

 

[ClanOfNone]

Whelp, decided to go ahead and give Siege of Dragonspear a whirl because of this thread. I just didn't have it in me to do a full run of BG1 first, low level 2nd edition is a tedious slog sometimes.
Went with an Inquisitor so I could rock Carsomyr when I get to BG2. i usually do evil runs so playing a paladin has been a nice change.

 

[Strife In a Teacup]

I just didn't have it in me to do a full run of BG1 first, low level 2nd edition is a tedious slog sometimes.

Take that back. You'll slog through BG1 and you'll like it!

 

[ClanOfNone]

Losing all your gear is the real nut punch there. And it looks like Siege ups the cap to 500k, so I can start BG2 with a leg up without dumping 20 plus hours into BG.
Siege is great so far! I am super early though.

 

[Grimmrobe]

It's great to see EvilLore weigh in on a specific game, as opposed to on videogame culture on the whole. Up until this thread I didn't even know what kinds of games he likes, which is weird considering how much time I've been spending on his site in recent months.

Back to BG, apparently Pathfinder: Kingmaker is at least as good as BG2, if not better, and lasts as long as the entire BG saga, inc. expansions. Source: my favorite vg site, culture.vg

 

[Strife In a Teacup]

Losing all your gear is the real nut punch there. And it looks like Siege ups the cap to 500k, so I can start BG2 with a leg up without dumping 20 plus hours into BG.
Siege is great so far! I am super early though.

Give all main char gear to another player created party member prior to finishing BG1, export all characters. Finish BG1, import all characters, give equip to main.

And this thread is making me want to do another playthrough. Annual/bi-yearly or whatever it is now.

 

[Daymos]

Dragon age Inquisition is a fine spiritual successor to baldurs gate that gamers are often too wrapped up in their own judgemental/cynical minds to clearly see. Drop your pride and play more games to the end.

 

[Fuz]

And it's still a great game.

Dragon age Inquisition is a fine spiritual successor to baldurs gate

No.

 

[Strife In a Teacup]

And it's still a great game.

It definitely is. It still holds up exceptionally well per my last full playthrough of BG1/2 prior to SoD release.