One of the beloved games of my childhood, but all I remember then was how difficult it was. Now that I've played it again, I remember why I loved it so much. The combat is fun and exciting, and you'll really feel stronger as your characters level up and get another attack per round, or a fresh set of spells. The storyline is very well done, too. Icewind Dale is known for being more combat-oriented than, say, Planescape Torment or Baldur's Gate, but this one's story is definitely very interesting, and thought provoking all the same. You feel empathy for the villains and understand why they made the decisions they made, and you feel genuine sadness for those they've hurt in their single-minded pursuit of their deeds. Icewind Dale II is surprisingly emotional, and its storytelling is fantastic. I loved the item descriptions, and you can tell a lot of thought went into each of them. Tthere are some very nice sidequests that really pull at your heartstrings, and it can be fairly easy to miss them if you're just rushing through. Character building is incredibly fun. You can play with a party of six that the game made for you, or create your party entirely yourself. You can solo the game if you choose, play with only two heroes, or any number in between. There is a huge selection of spells and character builds that it's quite easy to have multiple characters perform differently, regardless if they all share the same class. The game isn't without its faults, though. Some areas are incredibly tedious and frustrating, and they definitely seem to drag on far more than they should, but they are thankfully far-between. Icewind Dale II is a true masterpiece, a wonderful story mixed with fast paced combat and interesting character building. You will be saddened as you near the end, remember how your characters were when you started, and be thankful that they've grown so much. Icewind Dale II is a worthy choice if you love the Forgotten Realms and Dungeons & Dragons games.
A faithful remaster with more than enough QoL updates that add a lot of streamlining to the game. Enjoyable all the way through, and I'm excited for parts two and three! The devs are releasing constant updates fixing things,, and they're really nice and respectful to the fans and players, which is always appreciated. A steal at 15 dollars, especially since you get the latter parts free as they're released.
I played this game so many times, and I love how replayable it is. You can be a fighter, a mage, or any combination between the two. The setting really stands out compared to most games. Yes, it is the typical 'evil tyrant hell-bent on destroying the world,' but the game's world is so unique. It can best be described as desolate, hopeless, and bleak. This adds the sense that you are its last hope, struggling to do your best to lift this sense of oppression from the world once and for all. Characters will seem hopeless and broken, but your character is always hopeful, always positive, and always uplifting. The enemies are also uniquely designed, and each area is different and interesting. The puzzles aren't too difficult, mostly opening doors, dodging moving balls, and dealing with spinners. I also have to mention the spells. They are truly well done. You have the four basic elements - fire, water, wind, and earth, and you also have flesh (healing) and the void, which I won't spoil. Each spell has a beautiful animation and truly awesome effects. Give this game a go, you won't regret it!
