Fair enough, but the way you worded it made it sound like it was impossible to get the original versions at all (as is the case for something like Grim Fandango).

For me these are still two completely different cases. Of course I also would appreciate when they would sell the original and the enhanced versions of System Shock or Strife separately to give customers a choice. But at least they have done something for the games, they have made them available again, even in their original form, while Beamdog have done exactly the opposite, they have pulled completely playable versions of the original games from the stores only to support the sale of their own work (at least that seems to be part of their deal).

This thread is quite entertaining. I suspect half the people posting in it are the "Gamergate freaks" that you mention.

I may misunderstand you, but the original versions of all EEs so far are still in the store, just not separately. It's the same as with Strife and System Shock which also have the EE bundled with the originals.

Where is the difference you see but I don't?

That depends on what you're looking for. It uses the same engine as Baldur's Gate and IWD, and it's made by the same studio as IWD as well, but while IWD is more focused on tactical combat than great story and characters, Planescape: Torment is the opposite - better storytelling, worse combat, much more reading than fighting, but the text is actually interesting. Of course, this is also a matter of taste, but IMO the setting is much more original and fresh, not your average fantasy world and story that you've seen countless times before, and the companions are special as well (e.g. half-demons and constructs instead of elves and dwarves).

Also, in this game high INT, CHA, WIS are generally more rewarding than high STR, CON and DEX, as they open up new dialogue and roleplay options and reveal more about the story. Another big difference is that you can't create your own party like in IWD, instead you play just one character with a certain history (yet unknown to you) like in BG, but you can't customize his looks either. It's the same character for every player, except for your choices on stats, class and what role and attitude you will give him during your playthrough, determined by your choices.

Take a look at the screenshots of the original and/or watch videos on YouTube and then decide if you're fine with the old style or would prefer the Enhanced Edition. At this point noone can really tell yet in which regard it will be better or worse, it's all up to your own preferences.

Here's a short video review from PC Gamer by a reviewer who didn't have nostalgia for the game and played it for the first time four years ago. Not saying it's the best review, but it was the first short one I found and it might be enough to give you a first impression.

Highly likely. I guess they decided to skip the 'let's sweep all these negative reviews for our bad product under the rug' step this time around.

Have you kept up with the recent developments at Wizards? There's no D&D anymore, it's a cash grab for a couple of grifters and a licensing outfit. If anything, Wizards would prefer to show higher sales for a new licensed product (so I believe it's their unilateral decision), and Hasbro is too big to care about D&D as a whole: a single game is just dust under pony hooves.

Sad news indeed. I guess I'm not too surprised that D&D is getting mistreated when MtG is being handled similarly.

The difference is what has changed.

System Shock and Strife have not been available for purchase before. The people which did the enhanced version made the game available for us. Bringing the original version back is part of their offer. That effort deserves my respect.

The Baldur's Gate games and now Planescape: Torment were available for purchase before. The people which did the enhanced version canceled that previous offer. They canceled it to increase the sales of their own work. That's the difference.

What the heck is going on with massive downvoting in this thread?


Edit: Everybody who's not content with the pre-order is upvoted, and everybody who's happy about it or admits to pre-ordering is downvoted. It's so unbelievably petty and pathetic...

Thanks for the info, haven't checked on Steam yet.

I love soundtracks but I love my $10 even more. Those were the days when soundtracks were free and thankfully they still are in many cases.

Capitalism is a bit** sometimes.
However it's really convenient for many to be able to run the new EE natively on macOS and Linux. Even windowed. That's a huge plus. Also modding isn't for everyone.

I actually like that they started to bundle original and Enhanced versions together, without increasing the price for the Enhanced - no need for spend twice to get both versions. $20 USD is more than reasonable for both original and Enhanced versions of the game.

And maybe because I already have boxed copies of the IE games, I would never buy the originals here separately, but I'm not that interested in the Enhanced version separately either. So to able to get them together for $20 instead $30 USD is much more appealing to me.

It does seem like first time players should play original version first, and maybe that is true for any game, so it is unfortunate the price of admission is now higher, but buyers save money in the long run I think. Beamdog's move to bundle both versions together can be considered either greedy or generous or both.

I suppose there are people around that can't handle any sort of positivity directed at Beamdog.

Good luck with that. Not only is NWN more complex (from an engine standpoint), but changes to said engine will break all the mods. I can only imagine the pure, unadultered rage this would cause in the NWN community.