I played this in 1998. How is the new version?

[Call Sign: Raven]

To elaborate, does the Enhanced Edition add or change anything, or is it basically the same game but updated for modern hardware?

I haven't looked into it, but is the standard edition playable on newer machines, these days?

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

This is

--> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate:_Enhanced_Edition

and the newer v2 series of it after the updates since 2016 that have been released in preparation of the Siege of Dragonspear DLC.

About the changes in the enhanced edition, here are links to the v1.3 patch notes and the massive changes in v2.0 to v2.3 since 2016: --> http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Release_Notes

You can still get the original release at GOG as part of their Baldur's Gate package. At Steam, at most you can roll back to the v1.3 enhanced edition from 2014, which you can find as an extra option in the beta subscriptions channel.

And how is it? That's what reviews are for.

[Call Sign: Raven]

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

This is

--> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate:_Enhanced_Edition

and the newer v2 series of it after the updates since 2016 that have been released in preparation of the Siege of Dragonspear DLC.

About the changes in the enhanced edition, here are links to the v1.3 patch notes and the massive changes in v2.0 to v2.3 since 2016: --> http://baldursgate.wikia.com/wiki/Release_Notes

You can still get the original release at GOG as part of their Baldur's Gate package. At Steam, at most you can roll back to the v1.3 enhanced edition from 2014, which you can find as an extra option in the beta subscriptions channel.

And how is it? That's what reviews are for.

While I appreciate the response, if you've played the game could you...you know...talk a little bit about it? That's why I opened this in the first place.

It's like when I was in school. A new game would come out, and someone would ask one of us how it was. We didn't throw it back at them and say, "Look at Nintendo Power." No, we spoke with them.

So, while links to wikis might be neat and all, I'm waiting for people who have played it to start talking about it, thanks. Patch notes from 2014 don't tell me a thing with regards to changes since 1998.

[Marksthecylon]

The major change between the original and the Enhanced Edition is that they ported the whole game into the engine that was used for Baldurs Gate 2. They added a few (4) new companions to the game as well. On the whole however it still feels and plays like the original (to me at least).

As for as being playable on newer machines, that was kind of the point of remaking the game. I have windows 10 on my PC and other that a few bugs and glitches (mostly fixed at this point) it's run fine for me.

Hope this helps.

[Call Sign: Raven]

THANK YOU :)

[Axz]

The majority of the changes are either cosmetic, under the hood or fixes. Ofc there are game changers too like Mark said there are new companions and such, but it will *look* like a new game more than it will *feel* like a new game, if that makes sense.

EDIT: That's not to say that it looks completely different, just that things like the UI, portraits and visuals / audios have been polised a bit.

[The Call of CTulio]

Have you guys mentioned the more options for character building with the introduction of the class kits from baldurs gate 2?

[Aetrion]

The enhanced eddition is pretty much an improvement in every way. Nothing was removed, and a lot of good things were added.

[wendigo211]

The big change is the introduction of the class kits, proficiencies and spells from BG2. There was a mod that already this for the original version, but it has been better integrated in the EEs. For the most part it works well but there are some weird things that happen because of it. E.g.

• Some of the weapons aren't represented well. E.g. while you can pick Katanas, IIRC there is only 1 magical katana in BG and you don't get it until you're halfway through. Also because the proficiencies narrowed from the original BG some weapons aren't well represented, e.g. bastard swords and spears.
  
• Because of the narrow proficiencies some quests can be harder, like Werewolf Island. If you don't have someone who has proficiencies in bastard swords or daggers you can have a hard time.
  
• Some of the proficiencies and classes for the original NPCs look kind of strange now. E.g. with the free 2 points in dual wielding from Ranger and racial +1 to longswords that Elves get Kivan really should have been dual wielding longswords instead of 2 points in Halberds. Minsc might have been better as a Berserker, Xan probably should have been a Fighter/Mage etc.
  
• Some of the new spells and abilities can be pretty strong in BG where the enemies weren't really designed with a counter in mind.

Beamdog also added 4 new NPCs: Neera, Dorn, Rasaad and Baeloth. I won't say whether they're good or bad, but their writing does not match the style of the original games, so they can be a bit jarring. There were some graphical, "enhancements," as well, sprite outlines and the ability to zoom in and out. You can turn them off or keep them. A game this old will never look great on a modern system, but with tweaks you can get it looking okay.

[Julius Borisov]

In addition to the answers that have already been given I'd like to add the following.

A lot has happened since Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition first launched; over the last five years we’ve added new languages, fixes, features, an expansion pack and more. Updates started November 28, 2012 with v1.0.2012 adding roll total to the ability screen when creating a new character. Shortly after, the 1.0.2014 update introduced five new class kits (Dwarven Defender, Shadowdancer, Dragon Disciple, Dark Moon Monk and Sun Soul Monk). The Multiplayer Match-Making system appeared in v1.20.0. Then the 1.3.2053 patch implemented the Quickloot feature, while the 2.0 brought the Shaman class to BG:EE along with the new Cleric kit (Priest of Tyr) and a huge UI redesign. And, with the 2.5 patch just around the corner, the journey isn’t over yet! The rumour after the last stream (last Friday) is that a new kit may come into Baldur’s Gate!

http://blog.beamdog.com/2017/11/five-years-of-baldurs-gate-enhanced.html

[Cerazor]

And you've broke previously working features and haven't fixed them in a year. <.<

[Julius Borisov]

Originally posted by Cerazor:

And you've broke previously working features and haven't fixed them in a year. <.<

Which features? Do you experience them in the 2.5 beta?

[danconnors]

If you really liked the original version you probably won't enjoy this. I haven't, and, of course, thanks to some of the numerous "improvements" I can't even play it. Most of the "upgrades" have been to dumb it down for people who don't know how to add (character creation), remember things (buying spells), make choices in battles (characters in combat need virtually no guidence), useless "new" irritating npc's. I loved the original game. This is NOT it.

[Julius Borisov]

@danconnors You mention you still "can't even play it". Have you tried this solution: https://steamcommunity.com/app/257350/discussions/0/1621724915821490469/#c1635237606658241839 ?

[Auspice]

Some huge things that change a lot:

BG2 proficiency system in BG1: Monty has slings instead of missile weapons, making him much less good (spec in crossbow of speed was super strong). Large Sword proficiency doesn't handle everything so you have to devote a point to B-sword on level up on your fighters (or daggers).

Enemy AI is better, party AI is also mostly better too. You can still set party AI to be fairly simple if that's your thing too.

The movement pathfinding is vastly improved over both the original BG1 and BG2 pathfinding; this was fixed in version 2 and it makes a huge difference.

BG2 kits in BG1 is pretty wild. Some really suck, like kensai or monk, others are insane like dwarven defender, totemic druid, or sorc. Also some new kits were added like blackguard and dragon disciple.

BG2 spells in BG1 is somewhat impactful but they don't make that much of a difference, with the exception of Find Familiar. Chaotic Good (familiar has invis, IIRC; never used it in BG1) or Lawful Evil (familiar has polymorph self) protagonists that start with the spell can breeze through quite a few early situations. Other familiars are still pretty decent until mid-game, and are a helpful scout all the way through if you cast invis.

Bards got a huge buff, their song is no longer useless. Garrick is very good, the blade kit is fairly decent.

Overall I can't even play the original anymore because the AI pathfinding is so bad.

[danconnors]

@julius borisov: We've been around and around this, julius. It took me a long time to even get logged on to your "help desk", and I suspect that's no accident. Once logged on I was assured my problem (no mouse no start game) was an unknown problem, and I suspect that's untrue. In any event they were absolutely no help, but they never have been. All the way back to the endless battle music back in the days when I could play the game. I kept a thread going for over a year on that one, until it was "solved" by making the thread "disappear".