I feel this game could have used some editing. It's simply too long and by the time you're at the 100 hour mark you're just simply done and seen it all, but there's still 20 more hours to go! Especially considering how many build varieties and possibilities there are, the length undermines this, because I can't see myself replaying this game for maybe another few years or so. Just an absolute slog. Next game cut out the mini game conquest/kingdom management, cut out the puzzles, and just focus on the combat and good quest design, it's why we play these games. There are dungeons in this game that feel under developed and it's obviously because they had so much other content to get to, but it really hurts the experience. Otherwise, I did have fun, obviously, since I played hundreds of hours, but with that fun come a feeling of exhaustion.
This game is simply too damn long. I like a lot about it, but after 100 hours and you're just abrely reaching the end, all while trying to go as quick as possible, it just gets to become a drag. The story isn't particularly intersting either, which doesn't help. I like that they tried to do so much and give a truly meaty game with TONS of content, but cut back on random wilderness areas, trash encounters, and just give a more focused, substantial experience next time. I like ice cream as much as anyone but that doesn't mean I need to sit down and eat 20 pounds of it. That's what this game feels like after you've made it all the way through. Honestly if the game had been half as long, it'd be perfect in my eyes.
I had to think a moment before buying this as I wasn't sure all the extra bells and whistles were worth it. But I had also just started my third run through of IWD, and in the end figured if it has this much lasting power for me, might as well get the definitive version, which I consider this to be. IWD is my second favorite of the IE games, because of the great boss battles and dungeon design. If you feel this way, then I'd say pull the trigger. The new classes offer enough meaningful shift in how you approach combat, that it's worth another run through with classes like a Kensai or Monk that offer enough variation compared to the sort of IWD classes you're accustomed to. (Though I think some of the classes are somewhat useless in the IWD scenario, still nice that they're there.) Also the Archer kit is insane, and possibly a bit OP, but still... fun. It also adds more items, which are typically found in certain key areas, though not enough to make the game imbalanced, but certainly more rewarding. For example Kressalack's tomb now gives the 2h, but also another Long Sword (which may be random). Also the Loot All function is freaking brilliant. Ugh. So much time saved! What a god-send. And the split second quick saves. New quests added in. And a lot of other small changes I'm probably forgetting. It's a lot of small things that come together to create a significantly more polished experience than the older version. I think it comes down to how much you love the original. If you still find yourself coming back to it from time to time, then you should really do yourself a favor and grab this version.
Slapping weapons together is fun, I'll give it that. Skill system is alright too... I've put more hours into this game than I care to admit. Aside from the various entertainingly broken item and alchemy systems to screw around with, this game doesn't have much going for it. Bland dungeons, TERRIBLE combat, lame story, oh boy! It's got everything you could ever not want in your RPG. I hear what people say about it being fun despite it's badness, and that might happen for you, but really, there are so many other better open world RPGS out there to spend your time with, and that won't leave you feeling icky afterward. Gothic 2 for starters! It's everything this game wishes it could be! The worst part I find is that nothing in this game matters. You can dodge most attacks, sot he gear you get doesn't much count. Upgrading your weapon only means you kill faster. The game play stays the same the entire time, with the only change being a new pallet of fields to stare at. Sadly, it took me about 30 hours and the obligatory Fire and Brimstone Zone to realize how much of my life I had wasted. If you absolutely must play this game, get it on sale, as I do admit, some of the dialogue can be laugh out loud bad. It's almost as though the main voice actor KNOWS he's in a garbage game and so delivers everything tongue in cheek. It is unfortunate this studio has since folded. They had their hearts in the right place, but that only counts for so much.
Great concept, but terribly limited game play. Though there are certainly many spell combos that are fun to play around with, you eventually find out the best set up for each level, then use that to grind out the highest level spell drops. So, in all, you'll only ever use twelve or so spell set ups to maintain maximum efficiency for the six different levels. Or however many there are. It's a very simplistic game.
Very ambitious game with lots of stuff to do, however I found the combat was lacking, and there's too much of it. At times, you find yourself hitting quick battle, just to get through it. I wish there had been less battles, but more meaty, than this endless stream of cannon fodder. The rest of the game is real nice though.
Though this game is light on story, it captures the sense of fantasy adventure perfectly, with a wide variety of locations, tons of neat items to find, and numerous TOUGH, but entertaining battles to be fought that require you have a strong grasp of your party's strengths and weakness. While all chapters are solid, my favorite is the first by far, as you go from no-name sell sword to heroic warriors taking the fight to the goblin horde themselves. It's a classic scenario, told many times over, but it's done so well here. And the victory doesn't come easy, but when you've finally taken down the big bad and you're rifling through the piles of loot, you can't help but think back to the moment you first got off that boat and were scrounging for discarded leather armor. It's a feeling of elation these IE games always captured very well and especially so here. Another moment of mention, is the battle to acquire one of the more powerful swords in the game. As far as the classic IE party v. party battles go, it don't get much more epic (and hectic) than this. So maybe the story is there after all, it's the story of your rag-tag group of nobodies clawing their way to find their place among the heroes of legend, and when it comes to nerdy fantasy games, what more could you ask for?
Hands down the BEST combat in any RPG ever. So many great fights. I replay it every few years just to re-experience that rush. Just make sure you get the community patch. Fair warning, if you're looking for a good story then you should probably avoid. But the combat! OH MAN!
