Rating: 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: Summary: Not made for X Review: This game is incredibe, although it's game-play is a little slower than Diablo II, the story is rich and you have many choices, but be warned! When you play this USE OS9, NOT OSX. On OSX the movements become choppy and can slow down because this game was made for 9, not X.
Rating: 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: 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: Summary: Well.... Review: One thing that gets me is that whenever I get around a Black Isle product, I have to buy it. I have definately not been disappointed. This expansion kit is definately worth it, but if you go too attached to character and NPC conversations, you'll be disappointed here. The graphics and story line continue to be first rate, but it seems as though BI went back to the BGI format as far as interaction and NPC freewill in BGII:ToB. There also seemed to be a problem with continuing the game from BGII:SoA into ToB. There was a big problem continuing with the party at the first of the game, and some of the graphics tend to slow the game if your processor isn't top-notch. It seemed as though BI rushed this a little. The expansion pack is a worthwhile buy as long as you are interested in more adventure and level gains and didn't get too attached to character interactions and conversations from SoA. B+
Rating: 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: Summary: Absolutely incredible.... Review: I would give this game 5 stars, but it does crash every now and then...save often! Basically, this game is so addictive, I have trouble thinking about anything else. Grrrrr! Hah, maybe I should dock it another star for that. This game is a bit slow paced sometimes, but that is not really a draw back in my opinion. I like taking the time to walk around and explore things and not feel rushed. I like FPS's as much as the next gamer, but a good RPG should me a more immersive experience. This is one of the best you can get for your Mac.
Rating: Summary: This Could Have Been more Review: Don't get me wrong, I think the expansion packet is great; But this had the makings to be another chapter in the baulder's gate saga. I love the Watcher's Keep saga and the story line over all. I wished Bioware could have spent a little more time on developing this into a whole new game, it just seems like they tried to get out so they can end this and go on to something else. The game itself is fun, what I like is that you can upgrade your weapons like the holy avenger which kicks butt into something even more powerful. I also like the quivers and bags of unlimited ammo; keeping tack of all that is a pain. What I don't like is the spell "Time Stop". It's used too much and your characters get killed before they get a chance to [...] in their pants. Like that Draconis (now that guy is a [...]). You can whack at him all day and he still WON'T die! Because he'll cast time stop and heal himself and then kill your characters. If they choose to return to this saga, please limit the ammount of times Time Stop can be cast by the enemy.
Rating: 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: Summary: Sorry, it's a little late! Review: While Baldur's Gate is an exceptional game, it is to little to late. This game cannot compete with Diablo II. If you are going to spend you're hard earned money on a game, buy Diablo II. It has beter graphics, plot, and is by far the better game. Graphic Simulations took so much time that when they finally released the game, they had to deal with Blizzard's epic game. All I can say is, "Sorry, Graphic Simulations... you should have kept your deadlines... it would have made you more sales in the end."
|