Baldur's Gate 2

This Switch version is hands down the best way to play these games. They hold up remarkably well in 2020 thanks to the engaging story and memorable cast of characters.

83%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, grinding

92% User Score Based on 6,245 reviews

Critic Score 73%Based on 19 reviews

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About

Baldur's Gate 2 is a single player and multiplayer role playing game. It was developed by Beamdog and was released on November 15, 2013. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition" is an updated version of the classic RPG, featuring the original Shadows of Amn campaign, Throne of Bhaal expansion, and new arena battles in Black Pits II. It includes 11 playable classes, iconic characters like Minsc and Boo, and new NPCs with customizable player voices. The new difficulty setting, Story Mode, allows players to prioritize story and exploration over combat.

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,245 reviews

story884 positive mentions

stability106 negative mentions

Baldur's Gate II offers an epic and immersive storytelling experience with rich character development and engaging quests.
The Enhanced Edition improves graphics and adds quality-of-life features while retaining the charm of the original game.
The game provides a deep and rewarding gameplay experience with strategic combat and a variety of character customization options.

The game suffers from dated graphics and a clunky user interface that may deter new players.
Pathfinding issues and AI behavior can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially during combat.
Some of the new content added in the Enhanced Edition is considered poorly written and does not integrate well with the original story.

story
2,317 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
60%
2%
The story of Baldur's Gate II is widely praised for its depth, complexity, and engaging character arcs, continuing the narrative of the protagonist from the first game while introducing new companions and quests that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the intricate plotlines, moral choices, and the rich lore of the Forgotten Realms, with many noting that the side quests often rival the main story in quality. Despite some criticisms regarding pacing and occasional bugs, the game's storytelling remains a benchmark for RPGs, making it a must-play for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “Baldur's Gate II is a love story waiting to happen.”
- “The story, characters, and epic scope still shine.”
- “The storytelling is rich and impactful, filled with emotional weight and dark themes that linger long after the credits roll.”
- “The story in Baldur's Gate II is a letdown.”
- “The world is just a mishmash of fantasy tropes; most of the lore you learn will apply to the quest you're currently doing and nothing else.”
- “The story falls apart into ridiculousness except the game pretends it hasn't and you're supposed to too.”
gameplay
700 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
66%
4%
The gameplay of "Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition" is a blend of classic Dungeons & Dragons mechanics, offering deep character customization and strategic real-time combat with a pause feature. While the game retains its old-school charm, many players find the mechanics clunky and dated, presenting a steep learning curve for newcomers unfamiliar with the 2nd edition ruleset. Despite its challenges, the rich narrative and engaging gameplay loop provide a rewarding experience for those willing to invest the time to master its complexities.
- “Even after all these years, it still holds up because the storytelling and gameplay depth are unmatched.”
- “The gameplay in 'Baldur's Gate 2' is deep and rewarding, with strategic real-time combat, complex character customization options, and a wealth of quests and side activities to keep you engaged for hours on end.”
- “The gameplay is addictive and the story is amazing.”
- “The mechanics are harder to understand, and a lot of the 2nd edition D&D rules are strange, but if you run into trouble just turn the difficulty down a notch or two.”
- “Learning the intricacies of the ruleset can be intimidating for new players, as the game doesn't go out of its way to explain core mechanics like THAC0, spell memorization, or alignment-based restrictions.”
- “The gameplay is tedious at best and the story and cast are pretty bog-standard D&D basics.”
graphics
546 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
66%
12%
The graphics of Baldur's Gate II are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its original 2000 release, but many players find that the game's rich storytelling and deep gameplay more than compensate for the visual shortcomings. While the Enhanced Edition offers some improvements, such as higher resolutions and UI tweaks, the core art style remains unchanged, leading to mixed feelings about the updates. Overall, players suggest that those who can overlook the outdated graphics will discover a classic RPG experience that prioritizes narrative and character development over visual fidelity.
- “The updated graphics and new features make the game more accessible to modern audiences and the game runs smoothly on modern computers.”
- “The graphics hold up well and the style is still enjoyable to play through.”
- “The graphics are dated, but the actual gameplay is deep and complex.”
- “The graphics, while sharper, retain the limitations of the original engine—backgrounds are often blurry up close, and character sprites can be difficult to make out during chaotic battles.”
- “The graphics are ugly.”
music
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth of the gameplay. Composed by Michael Hoenig and Inon Zur, the soundtrack is described as epic, memorable, and fitting for various game scenarios, often evoking nostalgia and immersion. While some players found certain tracks underwhelming or repetitive, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's legacy.
- “Michael Hoenig’s soundtrack elevates every moment, from the tension of battles to the tranquility of a peaceful inn.”
- “The music is just a feast for the ears, with tunes that symbolize calm ambiance, epic battles, and everything in between.”
- “The soundtrack will stay with you forever (nostalgia hits me every time I open the main menu), and all tracks fit every scenario like a glove, finishing the immersion with a flourish.”
- “As for BG1 and Shadow of Amn, the OST is generic fantasy that fails to linger in memory post-playthrough.”
- “The music was underwhelming.”
- “The music is annoying, especially when loading the game.”
replayability
149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
49%
2%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by a vast array of character classes, customizable builds, and branching storylines that allow players to experience different outcomes and interactions. With numerous companions, quests, and choices, players can engage in multiple playthroughs, each offering unique narratives and gameplay experiences. Additionally, the availability of mods further enhances its replay value, making it a standout title in the RPG genre.
- “The sheer amount of content and variability in character builds allows for endless replayability.”
- “Between playing as different classes, playing solo without a party, making different game choices, and exploring things like romances, this game has tons of replay value.”
- “The replayability is amazing, as most quests can be solved in multiple ways, often good or evil, and each class gets its own unique missions to acquire their base.”
- “The replay value of this game is almost impossible to measure.”
- “That being said, one of the only downfalls to this game is that its worldbuilding ability is far from stellar; in fact, aside from the multiplayer story mode, this game has no real replay value.”
- “Replayability is decent; the main story stays the same, but you can play as evil or good, change group members to change the gameplay, and follow their storylines.”
stability
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
95%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting a plethora of bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many players noted that the enhanced edition introduced new issues while failing to adequately address existing ones, particularly in multiplayer modes. Despite some improvements, the game remains a frustratingly buggy experience, often requiring players to save frequently and navigate around problematic quests and interactions.
- “Works 'straight out of the box' with no messing around and appears to be completely bug free!”
- “This game is from a time before early access, DLCs, and microtransactions ruined gaming, back when games released complete and virtually bug free.”
- “The game has been out since November 2013 and still no bugs or addons like what was promised, but it's still a great game.”
- “A very dated RPG with a clumsy, sometimes painfully buggy game engine that's more inventory management software than anything else.”
- “The game in general is a buggy mess and the writing and conceptualization of the new content is poor, badly conceived and does not fit with the original game at all.”
- “It's a lot of fun, but borderline unplayable due to the constant glitches and how often the game crashed, especially during cutscenes.”
humor
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, memorable characters, and engaging dialogue, often blending wit with heartfelt moments. Players enjoy the chaotic antics of characters like Minsc and Jan Jansen, whose interactions and banter add a delightful layer of comedy to the serious narrative. While some find the humor a bit dated, the overall consensus is that it effectively enhances the gaming experience, making it both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
- “He's more than just a funny sidekick or comic relief—he's a living embodiment of chaotic good with a heart as big as his biceps.”
- “The writing is hilarious, the characters are interesting and multi-dimensional.”
- “The dialogue in this game is probably the best of any game ever made -- epic when it needs to be, and hilarious otherwise.”
grinding
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
2%
96%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and overly long, often describing the combat and inventory management as clunky and monotonous. Many reviews highlight the repetitive nature of quests and the cumbersome mechanics that detract from the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel like a chore rather than an engaging adventure. While some appreciate the depth and flexibility of the gameplay, the consensus leans towards a frustratingly tedious experience, especially for newcomers.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “I just personally found it tedious and overly long, and the story it was telling wasn't worth the effort of actually playing it.”
- “The gameplay is tedious at best and the story and cast are pretty bog-standard D&D basics.”
- “I played the first ten minutes and I was completely turned off by the tedious mechanics and by not knowing what is going on (and not being satisfied by the tutorial's explanation of how to do things).”
atmosphere
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
31%
6%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by beautiful paint-style visuals, an engaging soundtrack, and rich lore that invites exploration. Despite its dated graphics, the game successfully captures a deep and inviting ambiance, with well-crafted environments and memorable characters that contribute to a sense of epic adventure. Overall, the combination of atmospheric storytelling, strategic gameplay, and detailed world-building creates a captivating experience that resonates with players.
- “The atmosphere is still unmatched.”
- “It creates an immersive atmosphere, and with the beautiful soundtrack playing alongside your travels, you really feel part of the world.”
- “This game is amazing overall, with excellent atmosphere and a fun world.”
- “Instead they introduced a horrible UI design (that applies mostly to BG1 but still - compare their UI to BG Tutu, for instance), disgusting new art/cinematic/portraits made in a completely different style, that distracts and ruin the whole atmosphere.”
- “When you look at screens alone, some places look gross, but when you actually play, somehow you feel real atmosphere in every place, and everything no matter how odd, just fits perfectly and enriches the world.”
- “Oh and by the way, the enhanced edition is a nice update - but this game is all about atmosphere and storyline.”
character development
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
42%
7%
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and complexity, with many reviewers highlighting the engaging storylines and meaningful character arcs that continue to resonate even years after its release. Players appreciate the immersive narrative and the ability to form relationships, including romances, which enhance the overall experience. Despite some criticisms regarding newer titles, the game is often regarded as a benchmark for character development in RPGs, setting a high standard for narrative engagement and player choice.
- “Despite its age, the game's engaging narrative and character development continue to captivate players, drawing them into its immersive world.”
- “One of the game's crowning achievements is its character development.”
- “From its immersive story to its deep character development, the game sets a high standard for how an RPG should engage players.”
- “Bg3 was bottlenecked into three regions, those regions were bottlenecked further by level expectations on quests within each region, which were then piled on with abstract completion quotas for character development that can easily be missed (Karlach let me down easy because...I didn't do enough long rests in part 2? Wtf? I'm punished for not sucking?).”
- “For 2 decades I have repeatedly scoured the gaming market year after year for a title that could, at the very least, match (much less exceed) BG2 in role-playing immersion, soundtrack, characters, and character development, romances, voice acting, magic, quest design, storytelling, replayability, and so much more.”
- “In this game, a sword features more character development and better voice acting than the entire Elder Scrolls series.”
emotional
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its rich storytelling, well-developed characters, and impactful themes that resonate long after gameplay. Players express a deep connection to the characters and their emotional arcs, with moments of humor and heartache that enhance the overall experience. However, some critiques mention that the dialogue can become tedious and overly verbose, detracting from the emotional engagement at times.
- “The storytelling is rich and impactful, filled with emotional weight and dark themes that linger long after the credits roll.”
- “Minsc’s love for Boo, the 'miniature giant space hamster,' isn’t just a quirky gag—it’s a touching symbol of his loyalty, his belief in the extraordinary, and his refusal to let the world’s darkness snuff out his light.”
- “I was so moved when I read about Kelemvor, Cyric, and Midnight in the expansion Throne of Bhaal, that I couldn't help myself... I cried.”
optimization
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
48%
14%
The enhanced edition of the game is praised for its strong optimization, running smoothly on modern hardware with improved graphics, bug fixes, and performance enhancements. Users appreciate the compatibility with contemporary systems, which ensures a stable experience, and the addition of new content and features that enhance accessibility. Overall, the updates make it a worthwhile choice for both new players and fans of the original.
- “Technically, the enhanced edition runs well on modern machines and includes numerous bug fixes and performance improvements.”
- “The updated graphics and new features make the game more accessible to modern audiences and the game runs smoothly on modern computers.”
- “Instead of watching this performance by Beamdog the understudy, it's just as well to buy the original on Steam or GOG and give that a go - you'll spare yourself from a lot of grief, exceptionally bad voice acting, and a myriad of bugs to choke an otyugh.”
- “First of all, this game is just the original game, with a few extra graphical 'improvements'. There is nothing new to add to that, but if you want the classic gameplay of Baldur's Gate 2 with improvements to performance and the ability to run on more modern systems, then it's worth a go!”
- “The enhanced edition is the way to go as it includes the extra NPCs that come with that one and also has far better optimization for modern OS such as Windows 10.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game has drawn criticism for being misleading, with players feeling that the advertised "enhanced" version does not meet expectations. Many reviewers lament the shift in gaming culture towards monetization strategies like early access and microtransactions, suggesting that this game feels like a cash grab rather than a complete product.
- “This quiet little game is really strange, but it's the type that I probably wouldn't have even noticed if it wasn't for the ads and the first entry.”
- “Because anyone advertising an 'enhanced' version, the expectation is something actually enhanced.”
- “I'll title this version Baldur's Gate II: Cash Grab Edition.”