Icewind Dale 2 Complete

While it doesn't have the depth or characterization of its cousin, Baldur's Gate II, Icewind Dale II makes up for it by being faster paced and more quickly resolved while maintaining that fleshed-out, epic feel so many of those Infinity Engine games had. Still on my top 25 list after all these years.

If I were to review this game only, it's a classic, but unfortunately I am going to review it as the product as currently available on gog.com. Before buying, be aware, as many others have already said, it may simply not work on your system or it works very poorly. In my case it took many hours to even get the game running at all on Windows 7. I used varoius fixes and patches and even managed to get the game to run in widescreen. However, the game still became unplayable as the 'fog of war' would not render correctly and every time I panned the screen it would flicker jarringly to the point it spoilt all enjoyment (a common problem I later found out and without a known solution). I would not recommend this game as provided on gog.com, and that is a real shame. This is one of those games that really does need some love. Unfortunately that is not going to happen any day soon :( For those who fancy a challenge, here is a link that i used as a basis to try and get this game running: https://www.gog.com/forum/icewind_dale_series/iwd_mod_guide_install_order/page1 Happy Gaming

Just read that modders had made an enganced edition, so just get this gem. I loved 1, loved all the baldurs, and this one is deeper and as good or better than the others. A shame its code was lost and there is not an official enhanced edition, but the game is top notch. Thank me later.

Believe it or not this was my first Infinity Engine(s) game.. even today I have not played most of Baldur's gate II .. :) But I think the criticism this game gets its because most players were expecting , well, BG with its engine and style. The main popular complaints of this game are: No NPCs, linear flow of the game, too much fight. What I see is: No recruitable uninteractive NPC with a couple banters, no overwheling open world, a lot of action. And mostly: D&D 3.5rd edition rules! I also never played Ad&d nor 2end edition.. and I objectively know that 3.5 is simply superior; specially in video games.. i mean here you have clear meaning and fun customization of stats per character feats and no wonder items that "set your XXX stat to YYY". This game is the only real way I see an enjoyable part management of 6. Even recent titles like Pillars of eternity get too fiddly when it comes to customization and items. The last star is due to the inexcusable lengtiness of some dungeons,the unexplicably worse graphics and some oddly untested features like .. Druid's shapeshift forms not unlocking properly (bug) at later levels.

I'm in the minority, that thinks ID2 is superior to ID1. There is much to cover. Graphics - it's pretty obvious that ID2 is by far the best looking game running on the legendary Infinity Engine. That's one of only two comparisons between ID and BG series . Pairing ID with BG & PS:T is frankly unnfair: BD PS:T are more story-oriented, while ID is combat oriented. Music - Inon Zhur made a terrific job. Targos & Kuldahar themes, Shaengarne + Sherincal + Lysara and final battle themes. If Zhur just combined his and Jeremy Soule's takes on the main theme - this would be epic. Story-wise: I agree with eraserparticles, ignatius_reilly, LegendaryStud & Elandryl. Having played both games I think ID2 has the better, more coherent story. Linear story doesn't make a game bad. Actually, the most revered RPGs of old, like Ishar, Dungeon Master, EotB, ARE LINEAR, but no one *dares* to criticise those games for it. To me ID1's story was an incoherennt jubmle of plots. ID2's progression seems more natural. It's good to see that some quests can be dealt with in more than one way. Plus, i think the bosses in ID2 are more memorable. Like others, I absolutely adore 3e D&D. True, more careful decision-makingis needed, but that enables building versatile characters. Battles can be challenging, especially early on. Yet later on some battles can also give a challenge. And there are also two optional epics battles: for the Cera Sumat blade and against Chult portal guardian. Lastly: a wide array of spells ann a customizable UI Window, a welcomed addition. As far as AI is concerned: it sucked in all 4 infinity-based great games (BG, BG2, ID, ID2). There you have that second comparison point. I won't lie: to me ID1 is somewhat meh, while ID2 is great. I hope this review does the ID2 some justice.