Baldur's Gate II
- November 15, 2013
- Overhaul Games
"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.
Reviews
- This game is considered one of the best RPGs, with a rich design and engaging gameplay that many players love.
- The game offers a massive world with numerous side quests, characters, and items, providing hours of playtime.
- Fan-made mods enhance the experience, allowing for tweaks and improvements that keep the game fresh and enjoyable.
- Technical issues, including bugs and multiplayer problems, can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- The story can feel disjointed and lacks coherence, with some players finding it tedious after extended playtime.
- Older games like this may have compatibility issues on modern systems, making it challenging for some players to run.
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game received mixed feedback, with some players expressing a desire for a more cohesive and engaging narrative that complements gameplay rather than feeling secondary. While there are moments of potential and depth, many reviewers noted inconsistencies in character actions and a tendency for the plot to become convoluted or absurd. Overall, there is a yearning for a more immersive RPG experience that allows for meaningful character development and player agency within the story.
“I really think the story was great, but I have come to expect that from both Black Isle and Bioware.”
“My predisposition is that I long for a computer game that is story-driven effectively and actually works as a good story.”
“I still yearn for a real RPG game that allows you to develop the character, step through the story, and interact with the world the way you want to.”
“The story falls apart into ridiculousness except the game pretends it hasn't and you're supposed to too.”
“Also the story caused them to do things completely out of character at times.”
“Story is always such a distant second to gameplay that you end up with these half hour stories built into 15 to 60 hour games.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Gameplay is often prioritized over story, leading to lengthy games with minimal narrative depth. Players express a desire for more accessible difficulty options, as some find the current challenge level too high. Additionally, technical issues detract from the overall gameplay experience, overshadowing its potential.
“Gameplay: 5. I prefer less difficulty in games and would have appreciated a difficulty level system very much.”
“Now for the non-technical gameplay part.”
“Story is always such a distant second to gameplay that you end up with these half-hour stories built into 15 to 60 hour games.”
“Gameplay: 5, I prefer less difficulty in games and would have appreciated a difficulty level system very much.”
“It is one thing for a game to have limited gameplay, archaic graphics, bad story, or whatever is possible... but technical problems are inexcusable.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their strong visual design and mood, though some consider them dated. While many users note improvements over past iterations, there are concerns about technical issues that detract from the overall experience.
“The graphics are amazing; in fact, they are even better now than in past games.”
“The visual design is nice and, although it's dated now, it still powerfully conveys mood.”
“The graphics are outdated and feel like they belong to a previous generation of gaming.”
“The art style is inconsistent, making it hard to immerse myself in the game world.”
“The character models look poorly designed and lack detail, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is criticized due to a lack of updates or patches, leaving players with an outdated and buggy version. While some users report minor glitches, others find these technical issues significantly detract from their experience.
“There is no update or patching, and you will be stuck with an old, buggy version.”
“Technical issues: I always feel this is so subjective as you never know what will be a problem with your computer, but a few small or weird glitches were really awful for me.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted to be limited, primarily stemming from the nicer characters, but it struggles to balance the overall grim tone and frequent violence, leaving players wanting more moments of relief or lightness.
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that "Ultima Underworld II" excels in character development, particularly due to its non-linear gameplay that allows for greater freedom of movement and player choice. This aspect enhances the overall experience, making it a standout in terms of character progression.
“The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing for a deep and immersive experience.”
“I love how the non-linear progression lets me shape my character's journey in unique ways.”
“The freedom of movement combined with character development makes for a truly engaging gameplay experience.”
“Character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful choices that impact the story.”
“The characters are one-dimensional and fail to evolve throughout the game.”
“I expected more depth in character arcs, but they all felt predictable and uninspired.”