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Baldur's Gate 2:  Shadows of Amn

Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Be A Card Carrying Member of BGA
Review: Overall: Yes, I'm a member of Baldur's Gate Anonymous, too. And I couldn't be happier about it. In short, this is a totally killer game.

TECHNICAL:

-- With adjustment using BG2's configuration program, game is playable even on a 200mhz PC
-- Few bugs without patch. Can't find any bugs now that I've installed the patch.
-- Loading time: happens often and is about 30 seconds long on a 450mhz p2.
-- Needs LOTS of HD space

Ah, if only it were always this easy. Okay, fine. If you want the full install (makes loading time way shorter), then the game takes up an ungodly amount of space. (2.5G, I think. Not sure.) But if space is of no concern, then you've got it made. Loading time can be a pain in the butt, but it isn't really that big of a problem.

GRAPHICS:

-- Nice, beautifully drawn 2D scenery.
-- Bird's eye perspective.
-- Import your own character graphics/sounds!

If you are in it for groundbreaking graphics, BG2 may not be for you. Don't get me wrong... the graphics are pretty good but they aren't revolutionary. Buildings and areas are drawn with meticulous care. Black Isle definitely took their time plotting and planning this wonderful little world. Funny thing: architecture of buildings is quite different in different areas. Niiiice touch. Be that as it may, I suspect Black Isle spent more time and effort developing the story and gameplay than worrying too much about graphics. Good choice. After a while, you don't notice the pretty little pictures, anyway.

SOUND:

-- Good music. You won't be humming these tunes for days afterwards, but they fit the game.

GAMEPLAY:

-- You have one major quest and a myriad of miniquests that pop up *everywhere*. Really nicely done.
-- Free control over how you act. Be a jerk. Be a hero. It's seriously up to you.
-- Structured, yes, but not so firmly that it interferes too much with your free will.
-- Hint: Save a lot
-- High replayability factor

The first part is a tad on the slow side, but it makes up for it big time later.

CHARACTERS:

-- Customize your character from the gender, class, race, biography, and more!
-- Customize your very picture and sound!
-- Creepy bad guy. Who *was* the fellow who came up with the major baddie? I don't know whether to congratulate him... or run for my life.

Read the manual. Be acquainted with the ins and outs of each of the races/classes before you choose. It will save you a bit of heartache later on.

BG2 allows you to import not only a portrait to be used in the game, but also sounds! Really neat. I wish more games did this. In fact, not only are you encouraged to roleplay during this game, it actually seems to work better that way. Roleplaying will keep your decisions consistent and that will help you in the long run.

FEMALE PERSPECTIVE:

-- Ability to choose female as player's character

-- NPCs and situations do react to gender.

Not only can you choose to be female in this game, NPCs will act as though you are one. Dialogue depends not only on the decisions you make, but also your gender, as well. In fact, I would say that this is the first game I've ever played where they succeeded in making the main character actually *feel* like she was a female. Really great if you are seriously into RPG... and if you are reading this, I am assuming you are. *grin*

All isn't perfect if you choose to play a female character, though. Quests, NPCs, and events are more detailed if the main character is male. A few times, NPCs will even call you "Sir", only to refer to you a moment later as "Milady". Males even get a better romance thing going on (what's with *that*?). In all honesty, though, Black Isle's commitment into making this a more femme character-friendly game shows. Females even get the opportunity for romance... (although the fellow will probably inspire more death-threats than fantasies). As far as RPGs, BG2 is definitely the best one I've come across when it comes to feminine perspective.

MULTIPLAYER OPTION

Since my internet connection is terrible, I haven't explored this facet, yet. Therefore, I can't comment on this... but know that the option for playing online with others is there.

CONCLUSION:

Baldur's Gate 2 is doomed to become a classic. It's addictive. It's HUGE. It's put together extremely well. This is roleplaying at its finest. BG2 is quality, quantity, and a darn good time all rolled into one, reasonably-priced package. If you like RPGs, then Baldur's Gate 2 belongs on your shelf.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: BG 2, so much to do, so little time.
Review: An ... amazing game. I may even go so far as to say an astounding game, possibly even an astonishing game. It kicks some serious...
Theres just so much to do, it is very difficult to do everything. Besides the obvious plot of 'Rescue Friend, Kill Enemy' there are many many side plots to play. There are also different classes to be, such as Monk, Sorcerer, Fighter, Thief and moe besides. Each of these have a special quest of their own to complete adding to the length of the game. You can be male or female, chose from different races such as Elves, humans, halflings and more, and each will affect your transition through the game.
With the possiblility of being male or female comes the surprising twist of forming in game relationships between the Player Charicter (PC)ad the Non Player Charicters(NPC). This may sound tacky, and slightly sad, but can be immensly fun, and strangly satisfying.
As close to walking around bashing Orcs and Dragons as most of us are ever likely to get.
How can I put this... BUY THIS NOW!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Game
Review: Baldur's Gate II was a very addictive game and can be quite tedious at times, since the gameplay can be boring if you have to do several tasks (like doing a bunch of other people favors). I recently finished the game and now that I have finished it, you can replay it in so many different formats like instead of having your main character as a fighter, you replay the whole story again as a mage. I have also played the prequel and this game beats the prequel in so many ways. There are more spells and more monsters in the game, providing better challenge along the way. The world is very interactive and you could also develop a romance with some of the female characters. I am looking forward to the expansion when I'm able to get it. This game does not have very good graphics but it is still a great game with small system requirements. Warning about the game: You could lose your friends if you are easily addicted to games like this!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Black Isle does it again!!
Review: Okay, where to start? Well, first and foremost this is the Gold of the PC RPG's! If you built a character in BGI then you can import it into BGII. From there you have a whole new world to explore with NPC's that interact on a personal basis and actually provide conversation with your character to interact with. The level advancement is great, taking your character up to Mastery level in class skills. I am talking really powerful!! New monsters (including three dragons!!!!) to fight, an awesome story line and plot, and specialized quests for every character class! New spells, mind-blowing graphics, weapons, beautiful new character portraits and artwork, and more specialized classes all in 3rd ED!! If you consider yourself a hardcore gamer, this is it!! The only thing about BGII is a lot of the story and the majority of the quests happens in Athkatla, which is the city of Amn. This is nothing like BGI's in-city, changing discs every five seconds. The maps are very organized and easy to navigate through. There is more to do and every thime I play it I find something new that I didn't see before. The only thing that continues to remain consistent is the cookie-cutter style of the characters, but everything else is top-notch! Definately A+!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Once you start playing, you will be hooked.
Review: This game has to be one of the best rpg games out there.
Go through this game with up to six people on your team. Each player has their own unique skills to offer the team. The game play will have you on many different quest at the same time. Fight against ogres, dragons, wizards, and much more. A must have for any gamer.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It rox
Review: I just liked it alot. Rich character development and intresting plot are prevalent in this title. Le Engine est mort, Viva le Baldur's Gate Engine!

So far, I am really sick of these weak all 3d RPG offerings. The engines are so cumbersome, its like learning an alien language. Prefabs [disappoint], especially when they are used et infinitum ala Neverwinter Nights. Really, these are not pen-and-paper RPGS; to use a palette of structure and items requires both an excellent plot and excellent item interaction.

Hmm, this review turned into one for Neverwinter Nights... Oh well.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: stupendous
Review: From the very first this game immerse you into a huge detailed and very very addictive universe.
definately rate this as one of the best games ever. the learning curve is not to bad with a short tutorial to get to grips with everything and then straight into the fray.
the magic and combat are just stunning, and the effects when casting spells are electrifying.
the areas and adventures are huge and the game just keeps getting better and better.
The various characters on offer are very varied and you can have very different styles of party, and of course personnel can be changed as you wish.
i never finished this game unfortunately, but have very pleasant memories of it.
waiting eagerly for the next game of the same calibre but am yet to find it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: BG 2 is GREAT!
Review: I personally though Baldur's Gate 2 was better than the first Baldur's Gate game. Why? The charcater portraits look better (they look more AD & D -ish), there are WAY more spells to cast, the quests get more exciting, and so much more that I can't name all of them at once! One thing I really liked about the game is that the characters can develop romances with another NPC. Now THAT'S really role-playing!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: FORGET REVIEWS, BUY THE GAME (just joking please read this)
Review: People who don't like this game say it's just a bunch of hype. Well I'm here to say no one ever told me about this work of art. Soon after I played the demo I got the full game and was amazed by its quality.
If there's one thing I like the most about BGII, it's got to be the expansiveness of this colossal game. Character creation is highly customizable. There are 7 races (human,elf,dwarf ect.), 10 main classes, over 30 classes counting subclasses (assasin,monk,sorcerer ect.), you can even pick how lawful and "good" you are (Chaotic Evil=FUN).
But the depth of the game isn't just in character creation: it lies within the nonlinear game play. The main game by it self takes about 200-400 hrs, BUT if you do all the side quests the game can span a mind blowing 600-800 hrs!!!!! Most of the fun of the BGII is finding new treasure, adventuring through quests, and just enjoying the unfolding story and plot twists (cat fight btwn femal party members who want your attention... hehehe).
Every thing about the game is mulit-dimensioned and saturated with depth and fun. Do you want to free some slaves, who are pit against animals for sport, or do you want the reward for warning the gards about their escape? Do you want to become proficient in using two weapons simultaneously or becoming a deadly archer? Do you want to create orc sushi with your double-handed sword as a barbarian or would you rather make BBQ orc with a fireball as a wizard? The bounds of this game are limitless or at less very very very large. If your still reading this STOP AND GO BUY THE GAME!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best computer RPG in a long while, possibly ever
Review: I got more fun out of this game than just about any other I've played. The world is incredibly rich and detailed. All of the buildings in Athkatla aren't just filler--they actually have interesting things in them. The main plotline is very long, and there are countless side quests to pursue if you want to. Even when you've finished the game once, you can have fun replaying it, since you can choose different party members and accept different quests. I've played it three times and am still not sure that I've found everything.

The game is an enormous improvement over the first Baldur's Gate. I never actually finished that game--I just lost interest after a while, and never really figured out why it was so highly rated. In BG2, the other members of your party actually have personalities, and the plot is more interesting. The graphics are not that advanced technically, but this can actually be a strength. Because the graphics are not 3D, they could be prerendered, and Bioware obviously excels in that department. From the Arabian Nights-like Athkatla to the pseudo-Victorian Trademeet, the areas are very detailed, and rarely drab like in BG1.

There are also plenty of monsters to fight, spells to cast, and items to find. There's a surprise lurking around every corner, at least in the better parts of the game.

Admittedly, this game is buggy, but it's still great. With the exception of Planescape: Torment, there isn't any other CRPG that can match its characters, plot, depth, and replayability.


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