Baldurs gate worth playing these days?

[Jaikstheuggle]

Baldursgate an ancient game with a high reputation.
As i have never been going through this game uptill the ending i wondered if it was worth trying out now....there are other rpgs out there after all...any advice.?

I am a thorough dungeonsiege type player which diverts from the baldursgate type gameplay.

[fauxpas]

If you don't have rose coloured memories of the Original Saga I'd watch play through videos and maybe even get it with the idea of refunding it if you don't like it. (Not sure what Steams refund policy is so look it up first.)


Now with that said, the BG Saga (minus SoD) is popular simply because it's story is a simple but nicely executed epic whose gameplay didn't age all that well to be honest.

....

Still, if you decide to give it a try (and they are really good games just not for everyone) to get the full impact the BG Series virtually requires mods, the primary ones being the NPC Pack and Stratagems but most if the mods offered on the G3 website are excellent.

[Jaikstheuggle]

I kinda bought it ages ago and never really looked into so far...so i guess refunding is out of the question....I`ll check those vids (or playthroughs ) just to be sure and make sure i go peek around the steamworkshop mods. But i might as well try as for the sake of already having the game...just kinda hoped it wont be a few hours playthrough with dissapointment at the end of the evening.

I guess thats where the vids come in!

[FearTheLiving]

Having not played the orginals before picking this up. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it depends on the types of games you're into. You could do as fauxpas suggested and take a look at some youtube videos to see if it's something you'd be into or not.

And if you're still on the fence about it after that you could always wait for a sale and pick it up at a price you feel more comfortable taking a chance with.

[A Rock Seller]

You might enjoy it or you might hate it. Some would say you need to be nostalgic for it to enjoy it, however I have no choice but to argue. I played it for the first time back in 2015 and I've loved most (obviously not all) about it. The combat included. I won't get into detail about that however since the subject tends to start arguments. Arguments I am not qualified to partake in.

I don't really take into account the games age when I ask myself if it's good or not, so take all that I say with a pinch of salt. In the end it won't matter and you'll just have to try it and decide if you like it or not.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

These days I recommend getting the latest manuals and skimming over them before a first playthrough. Also check out the Field Report and Sword Coast Survival Guide manuals:
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/49871/get-your-siege-of-dragonspear-manuals-here

Keep your mind clear, don't search for guides and walkthroughs, but make the full experience yourself. Play slowly and cautiously, explore the "world", and don't be afraid of fleeing with your party either.

[bronze_aged]

I think it's worth it, but you have to be tolerant of slower-paced games with a lot of reading, sidequesting, saving/reloading, exploring, inventory mgmt etc.

[Ghoul Hunter]

You need to have a tolerance for old games and their clunky UI's. If you can do that, then I think you're golden. If you're one of those people that needs their comfy chair, everything done with utmost ease, and a cherry on top of your cake, you won't make it through this game.

The pathing AI is pretty rudimentary, so you have to monitor them and make sure they are moving along correctly. The game won't hold your hand and tell you how D&D rules work (or maybe it does if you actually go through all the Candlekeep tutors?). These are a few specifics that you will need to deal with.

[goforrest]

these type of games can be very awesome sadly i never got into them as a kid mostly just cause having a pc or net or anything was very expensive to get.


so ill have a much harder time getting int osuch games even more so when you dont play it a ton.


what i would do just play something more new but with the same style.


orginal sin very good to start with, then work your way back with games like pillars of etierty or tranney.

that way you get the feel of the game a lot better.

cant really go wrong with orginal sin though.



pro.

tons of voice acting,
best damn graphics for these type of games.
fighting more engaging


con

not as much choices as other crpg
rather short compared to crpg still get a good 50 hours though at least lol

[goforrest]

Originally posted by goforrest:

these type of games can be very awesome sadly i never got into them as a kid mostly just cause having a pc or net or anything was very expensive to get.


so ill have a much harder time getting int osuch games even more so when you dont play it a ton.


what i would do just play something more new but with the same style.


orginal sin very good to start with, then work your way back with games like pillars of etierty or tranney.

that way you get the feel of the game a lot better.

cant really go wrong with orginal sin though.



pro.

tons of voice acting,
best damn graphics for these type of games.
fighting more engaging


con

not as much choices as other crpg
rather short compared to crpg still get a good 50 hours though at least lol

[goforrest]

oops hahaha

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Originally posted by goforrest:

oops hahaha

You may delete your own posts. --> trashcan icon at the top right corner of your post.

[Rob'sEvilTwin]

Replaying it for the first time in roughyl 10 years, still love it :D

[Dr. Marker]

I'd say a few prerequisites for being able to enjoy this game are as follows:

1- You have to be somewhat familiar with DnD or something similar: The game obviously runs on the same rules and systems as 2nd Edition ADnD and as such you'll obviously have an easier time if you're familiar with that system although I'd probably say that even something such as 3rd edition or Pathfiner can give you a gentle gist of the basics (even if you're gonna have to relearn a lot of stuff such as a lower AC being better than a higher one).

2- You can tolerate the outdated graphics, UI and overall game design: Games have advanced in many ways since the release of Baldur's Gate, while some of these issues have been fixed in the Enhanced Edition it still goes without saying that if dice roll based combat and clunky interfaces without more modern things like tooltips are a problem for you, you will struggle.

3- You have a lot of patience and don't mind a slow game: Some people want to start a game and have a comptent character who can jump into the action right away, Balder's Gate is not that game. Progression is slow, your characters start off very weak and it'll be a very long time between level ups or the aquisition of meaningful loot, in addition, you don't quite get the same ridiculously powerful loot or power levels you might get in other RPG's, a weapon that has +3 to hit/damage and reaching level 7 is about the peak of what you'll likely achieve here. Adjust your expectations accordingly.

4- You have a lot of tolerance for wooden dialogue and storytelling: I love the Baldur's Gate games, I grew up with them and they're more or less what sparked my interest in tabletop gaming alongside Warhammer 40k, however, I do think I have to be honest in my reflection here when I say that despite it's storied repuation as a narratively focused game, Baldur's Gate is pretty weak in it's writing, it's main accomplishment being not soiling itself in the telling of a rather simple story. Again, adjust your expectaions, don't expect a sweeping epic, expect a straightforward story told compotently with a few memorable, if cheesy, characters along for the ride.

I'd say Baldur's Gate is worth trying out but I would be lying if I said it was for everyone, look at videos first, compare what you see to the kind of games you like and decide from there.

If all else fails, play Dragon Age: Origins, it's basically a modernised version of Baldur's Gate.

[Jaikstheuggle]

I had been checking my gamelists, and i found dragon age origin with all its expansions somewhere ...just not on steam, but games like pillars of eternity and the original sin game are here. So they were on my buy and someday to do list already, i just never really started them.

Currently going through my DA:O to start the RPG frenzy. I guess its a better game for me.
thx for the info on BG , i like its setup , but its a bit too much ancient for me currently although in that era i did enjoy games like that , just not too date...

[goforrest]

there is a mod ithat i heard ports over the whole game... its for neverwinter 2 though and you sorta do need to own the game though. well both games haha..

only downside is not many people are fans with the cam in neverwinter 2 lol