Icewind Dale 2 Complete

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.

game freezes after a few minutes on windows 11

I forgot how wonky it is compared to BG2:EE but it's one of those all time classics. Reliving childhood memories with games such as these

In the traditional "sequel" sense- more, more, more. If you liked the first one, this is a no-brainer. If you haven't played either, it doesn't really matter IMO which one you play first. It's not BG, the story is not the thing here, just the combat.

Icewind Dale 2, essentially does what anyone who played the first game would expect it to do, but grander. Its combat is more interesting due to the greater number of abilities, skills and spells at your disposal, and the larger number of creatures assailing you at times. Its dungeons are more varied and better designed. It's story is not exactly deep stuff, but it's by no means bad either, and again, more to my tastes than the first game. The adventure pack is new to me, however, and I mean to ask what it adds exactly, and if its enough to make this worth buying again when I have the disks.