Baldur's Gate

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Baldur's Gate is a single player and multiplayer casual role playing game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Beamdog and was released on January 16, 2013. It received very positive reviews from players.

Gather your party— the classic adventure returns!

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,920 reviews

story925 positive mentions

stability88 negative mentions

Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition is a faithful remaster of the classic RPG, preserving its rich story and character depth while improving graphics and UI.
The game offers a vast world to explore with numerous side quests, memorable characters, and impactful choices that enhance replayability.
The addition of new characters and content in the Enhanced Edition provides fresh experiences for both new players and returning fans.

The game's mechanics, based on the outdated AD&D 2nd Edition rules, can be confusing and punishing for new players, leading to frequent deaths and frustration.
Pathfinding issues and clunky AI can hinder gameplay, causing characters to get stuck or behave unpredictably during combat.
Some of the new content and characters added in the Enhanced Edition feel out of place and detract from the original game's charm.

story
2,351 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
58%
3%
The story of Baldur's Gate is often described as a classic high-fantasy narrative that follows the journey of a character uncovering their mysterious heritage amidst a backdrop of political intrigue and conflict in the Sword Coast. While the main plot is straightforward and somewhat conventional, it is enriched by numerous side quests and character interactions that provide depth and replayability, allowing players to explore different outcomes based on their choices. Despite some criticisms regarding pacing and the simplicity of certain quests, the overall storytelling, character development, and immersive world-building continue to resonate with both new and returning players, making it a beloved entry in the RPG genre.
- “The real strength of the story comes from how you can interact with it via choices made in dialogue, combat, party composition, etc. Outcomes of major plot points aren’t going to change, but side quests can be much more open-ended by simply having the right (or wrong) companion in your party.”
- “The story takes place in the Forgotten Realms and follows the adventures of a young orphan, unveiling the mystery of their birth and trying to prevent a war breaking between two lands.”
- “The story is engaging and the characters along the way are memorable.”
- “The only real issue I have with the narrative, outside of it just stopping instead of having a proper ending, is that its pacing is crippled by the side quests and gameplay in general.”
- “The story of Baldur's Gate is decent and ties the adventure together, but it really didn't feel like anything special to me.”
- “The story is pretty basic, and the pacing of the main plot is erratic; the story is bland; the dialogues are silly; the NPCs are not fully fleshed out.”
gameplay
830 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
66%
6%
The gameplay of Baldur's Gate is a blend of nostalgia and complexity, rooted in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition ruleset, which can be daunting for newcomers but rewarding for those willing to invest time in understanding its mechanics. While the game features a real-time with pause combat system that allows for strategic planning, many players find the mechanics dated and clunky compared to modern RPGs, leading to a steep learning curve and occasional frustration. Despite these challenges, the depth of gameplay, engaging story, and character interactions provide a rich experience that has stood the test of time, making it a classic in the CRPG genre.
- “The gameplay, the story, and the freedom of choice in this game is met only by its sequels.”
- “The wealth of content and side quests provides countless hours of gameplay, ensuring that you'll never run out of adventures to embark on.”
- “The gameplay is excellent, even the stuff that Beamdog added.”
- “The gameplay feels very dated and it's quite complicated to use the D&D rules properly.”
- “The mechanics are a little rough, and the start is really hard.”
- “The gameplay is simply atrocious, to the point where you can only succeed by safe-scumming massively.”
graphics
753 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
69%
8%
The graphics of Baldur's Gate, originally released in 1998, are widely regarded as dated, reflecting the limitations of its era. While the Enhanced Edition offers some improvements, such as higher resolutions and minor graphical tweaks, many players still find the visuals lackluster compared to modern standards. However, the game's nostalgic charm and engaging storytelling often overshadow its graphical shortcomings, making it a worthwhile experience for those who appreciate classic RPGs.
- “Despite its 1990s era graphics, it still holds up against more recent games with a good story and some memorable characters.”
- “The graphics in the base game certainly have a late 90s charm to them.”
- “Graphically, Baldur's Gate 1 showcases its age, yet its visual charm is far from diminished.”
- “The graphics are seriously outdated, but that does not detract from the fun for me.”
- “The graphics are old, but the gameplay and plot are what make it good.”
- “The graphics are dated, and the gameplay is slow and clunky compared to modern RPGs.”
music
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
46%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the orchestral soundtrack as a standout feature that immerses players in the world. While some mention that certain tracks can feel repetitive, the majority agree that the music effectively complements the storytelling and gameplay, making it a memorable aspect of the experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's strongest elements, contributing significantly to its nostalgic appeal and emotional depth.
- “The music and sound design are both fantastic, with some great voice-acting from major NPCs.”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely wonderful and probably the major reason I will still need to return to this game before I kick the bucket.”
- “Voice acting is typically over-the-top, though in an entertaining way, and the music is just freaking glorious, from the calm ambient outdoor tunes to the dark and suspenseful themes of dungeons.”
- “The soundtrack is just another generic symphony, and so on.”
- “I would only recommend this game to players who know what they're getting into, as I feel this game is for those particularly interested due to dated graphics, music, and gameplay.”
- “There's a limited number of songs, and at some point you get kinda tired of hearing the same three inn songs over and over.”
replayability
152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
48%
2%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with a vast array of character classes, races, and moral choices that allow players to experience different story arcs and gameplay styles in each playthrough. Many users highlight the depth of customization and the variety of quests and companion interactions as key factors contributing to its enduring appeal. Overall, players find the replay value to be virtually infinite, making it a classic in the RPG genre.
- “There are a ton of class/race/subclass combinations available which greatly adds to replay value, and most (if not all) of the quests have different options or paths through them for the player to try out.”
- “The endless amount of ways a quest can turn out and the many ways you can play the game lead to Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition having a ton of replay value.”
- “With how many different builds, spells, things to unlock and gear to use, I can see this game having virtually endless replayability as every team you form and character you add in can and will change how you tackle challenges fundamentally.”
- “The limited replay value is more than made up for.”
- “Although this game's main storyline does not change, it still has a lot of replay value.”
- “Most of them are minor variations of each other, but I guess that more options don't hurt, and for some people, it means more replayability.”
stability
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
85%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various bugs, particularly in multiplayer mode. While some users have experienced a relatively stable gameplay experience, others find the game unplayable due to persistent issues that have not been fully resolved despite patches. Overall, the enhanced edition is seen as an improvement over the original, but significant stability problems remain a common complaint.
- “A classic of the RPG genre, Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition is remarkably stable, bug-free, and lots of fun!”
- “Works 'straight out of the box' with no messing around and appears to be completely bug-free!”
- “Fantastic and mostly bug-free recreation of the classic, plays so well after all these years!”
- “Bought this to play through with a friend in multiplayer, which hangs, freezes, and disconnects 1 to 5 times every session.”
- “This 'enhanced' version is extremely buggy and laggy to the point of being unplayable.”
- “The game is very buggy and frequently freezes and crashes.”
humor
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
3%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, witty dialogue, and engaging character interactions, often blending lightheartedness with serious themes. Players appreciate the sassy dialogue options and the comedic charm of characters like Minsc, which contribute to a fun and immersive experience. While some find the humor to be a bit too whimsical at times, the overall consensus is that it adds significant enjoyment to the gameplay, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The humor is also on-point: many of the dialogue options you can pick are downright sassy (but still perfectly medieval), and characters like Minsc add a lot of heart and levity to the game without ever ruining the mood.”
- “The interactions with some of the NPCs are surprisingly hilarious in this game, and I enjoy the companion system quite a bit.”
- “The writing itself is humorous, dramatic, serious, and whimsical, including your player dialogue options.”
- “It's not funny.”
- “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
- “I expected more humor, but it just didn't land.”
grinding
87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that the difficulty and slow leveling process detract from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the depth and complexity of the combat and exploration, others find the repetitive nature of grinding for experience points and managing inventory to be frustrating, especially when compared to modern RPGs. Overall, the game is seen as rewarding for those willing to invest the time, but it can feel excessively grindy and cumbersome, particularly for newcomers.
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but the rewards make it worth it.”
- “The game feels a bit grindy, yet it adds to the overall experience.”
- “You'd think that the game wants you to replace dead characters based on how many there are, but I am not going to spend 30 hours grinding up a replacement when they are 7 levels behind.”
- “The amount of grinding required to make your party strong enough to progress past the absolute first act of the plot is simply just not fun.”
- “I had forgotten how utterly tedious this game was & while in my youth, prior to having seen real life boobs, re-fighting the same fight 12 times because my guy had died seemed like a good way to spend a nerdy Friday night absent a real tabletop game to play in, as an adult it's just not fun.”
atmosphere
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
27%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its authenticity and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of Dungeons & Dragons and the Forgotten Realms. Reviewers highlight the captivating narrative, excellent music, and memorable characters that enhance the overall experience, making it feel both expansive and deeply engaging. Despite some criticisms regarding technical updates, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature, drawing players into its richly detailed world.
- “Its captivating narrative, strategic gameplay, and atmospheric world-building have solidified its status as a classic within the role-playing genre.”
- “The story, soundtrack, and atmosphere are all extremely well done, and are probably what will keep most new players going.”
- “The environment and atmosphere are nearly perfect; areas look believable and feel how they should feel.”
- “Yes, the game is dated and often feels clumsy, but I got sucked into the amazing story and atmosphere right from the very beginning.”
- “The evolution of the plot is great and many characters have an interesting background and contribute to the atmosphere.”
- “But once you get drawn into its story, colorful NPCs and atmosphere, its technical limitations just fade away and it still holds up just fine.”
optimization
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
52%
9%
Overall, the optimization of Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition has received positive feedback, with many players noting that it runs smoothly on modern systems and significantly reduces loading times compared to the original. While some users mention minor performance issues and the need for further improvements in areas like inventory management, the enhanced graphics and interface updates have made the game more accessible and enjoyable for both new and returning players. The developers at Beamdog are also actively working on additional performance optimizations, further enhancing the experience.
- “The updated graphics and new features make the game more accessible to modern audiences, and the game runs smoothly on modern computers.”
- “Enhanced version delivered by Beamdog is an optimization and greatly improved coding masterpiece that delivers widescreen resolutions, better 2D sprites, reduces the colossally long loading times the original had, and fixes nearly all limitations and bugs the old engine had.”
- “All in all, the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition is a worthy overhaul; it runs smoothly on new systems and still works fine.”
- “Companions are bland, unoptimized, and boring.”
- “The graphics and overall performance is very sluggish.”
- “They updated the resolution and probably removed the (now useless) performance-vs-quality options as well as a few visuals.”
emotional
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a range of feelings, from nostalgia and joy to frustration and heartbreak. Players appreciate the depth of character interactions and the orchestral soundtrack, which enhance the immersive experience, making them feel like true heroes or villains in a rich narrative. While some critiques mention a lack of emotional complexity compared to other titles, the overall sentiment is that the game successfully delivers memorable and heartfelt moments that resonate with players long after their journey ends.
- “This is the kind of game you look back on and remember the heart-warming feelings it gives you more than anything.”
- “First, I have to say that I played Dungeons & Dragons with my school friends when I was a kid, so playing Baldur’s Gate now felt like an emotional rollercoaster to me.”
- “The characters are what make a game like this for me and I know I'm invested when they influence my play style or cause an emotional reaction.”
character development
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
49%
13%
"Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition" is praised for its deep and intricate character development, offering players meaningful choices that significantly impact both character progression and the narrative. While some reviews note that the game may not appeal to those seeking extensive dialogue or modern mechanics, it remains a beloved classic for its rich storytelling and immersive RPG experience, often compared favorably to other iconic titles in the genre. Overall, the character development is seen as a standout feature that enhances replayability and player engagement.
- “The story in 'Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition' is a testament to the art of storytelling in RPGs, featuring intricate character development, morally ambiguous choices, and a world steeped in history.”
- “The character development is awesome, and if you find things in this that make you go 'oh, this other game has that feature,' it's because Baldur's Gate is the grand-daddy of pretty much all the good ideas that are now found in modern RPGs.”
- “The adventure is so rich in story, character development, and tactical combat that multiple playthroughs feel like a necessity rather than a choice.”
- “Definitely not for those who like character development or dialogue.”
- “The main content of this game is combat and exploration focused with only rare dialogue and story sequences interspersed, and while the exploration offers a few hours of immersive fun, the combat quickly devolves into a necessary chore and the connection of the systems of combat and RPG character development is just badly done and horribly balanced.”
- “A similar problem exists for weapons; without consulting guides, it is impossible to know which weapon classes actually have useful magical weapons for the end game, which means that you can basically waste precious character development resources on learning weapon classes that are effectively useless.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its absence of in-game purchases, subscriptions, or ads, allowing players to enjoy a classic experience without interruptions. However, some users criticize the marketing approach, describing it as a cash grab, particularly due to unclear compatibility information for Windows 10. Overall, the game maintains a traditional format that appeals to fans of the genre.
- “The hand-drawn backgrounds like the forests and towns are still lovely to look at, even by today's standards, and the game runs smoothly, with no in-game monetization or loading screens to contend with!”
- “It is the old school format that we used to enjoy before the new multiplayer and in-app purchase, subscription, yadda yadda yadda.”
- “This was just a pathetic cash grab.”