With BG3 coming out thought it was time to refresh my memory with a replay of the series.
Now it's been a long time since I played the original so I can't compare details of the versions but I can say I have recently been replaying a lot of the old games and at times it can be a pain on modern machines and this wasn't. I enjoyed my play through and would say if you are looking to replay the game this version is worth it.
I think that the original version should be easier to download.
For all You folks wondering how to get the classic ver:
1. Follow the instructions to find the serial redeem key
"You can find your redeem code for the classic version here:
- access your GOG library in a browser (https://www.gog.com/account)
- select Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition
- click More →Serial Keys"
2. Copy or write down on paper the the serial key
3. On Your account find the option "Redeem Code" ,and paste or write down the serial key.
Beamdog is an awful company as evidenced by their recent games that they had to make themselves. BG1 and BG2 are great games and Beamdog basically took that and claimed success while injecting their own awful characters and revisions that not only are poorly written, but break immersion as they stand out from the rest of the setting. What's worse is they've pushed the original GOG version off the site because they were afraid of anyone going back to the original and seeing how much better of an experience they'd have. Somehow the EE manages to be buggier too. If you're fortunate you bought the original and still have access to it.
I've been gaming for around 30 years now since the late 80's, played most RPG's worthy of note, on many different platforms and machines.
This is in my top 5 games of all time.
Everything is absolutely spot on for this game, the story, music, ambience, characters, RPG elements (DND ruleset) - Character customisation and progression, really flexible character builder.
Tons of quests, NPC's actually come up to your character and offer you quests, most games these days do not have that feature. Most games will have static NPC's that you have to hunt down.
This game has real life as you walk around the cities and hear the hustle & bustle, people walking up to you either to give information, give a quest, rob your party and attack you, or maybe assassins sent by the main antagonist?
You never really know what's going to happen and there's a sense of vulnerability within your party, even a fully outfitted party can have trouble, especially early in the game.
Progression and learning new abilities and spells feels really rewarding, including the sheer amount of cool loot in the game. Even right at the start you will find cool and interesting items you can equip your characters, giving the gameplay and combat a dynamic and interesting feel.
The game really shines with the story and will keep you wanting more.
It's hard to explain without giving the game a good go, anyone who has said 'it didn't interest them' are usually people who only played for about an hour, you have to play it and get out the first dungeon, then travel around a bit, especially through the main big city, 'Amn'.
I just want to say skill issue to some of those negative mommies and I for one prefer Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II's free flowing questing and combat to the segmented, slow paced, and where every encounter is designed advantageous to the house, the bad dual armors system. In BG 1 and BG 2 I actually feel like I'm adventuring and can quickly adapt to a fight upon failure and since the fighting is way quicker and the rest to restore spell system encourages thoughtful play and tactics management they are full fledged, pure, content filled RPG videogames that don't feel tedious and grindy, until the end like it should be.
