What are differencies between classic old BG2 and EE ?

[Daqidius]

I finished BG2 several times many years ago. I want to start again, unfotunattely my old version is no longer compatible with my new computer. I am not sure wheter or not i should buy a game i already own.

1. What are the differencies between old BG2 and EE

2. I used to play with "Easy of use mod pack" which greatly improved the game. Is it compatible with EE version (this mod pack changes specific files)

[fauxpas]

EE is generally easier to make run on modern computers; the 1.3 "beta" is the closest you'll get to the old games as 2.x patches started changing things for the sake of change.


As for actually differences; there are a few new NPCs that are better left ignored.


I'm not sure about that mod; but G3 has a bunch of excellant mods.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Originally posted by Daqidius:

1. What are the differencies between old BG2 and EE

You can learn a bit on web pages, such as:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate:_Enhanced_Edition#New_characters

The 1.3 version @fauxpas mentions is the last stable release from 2014. At Steam it's offered in the beta subscription channel as that's a convenient place and method how to offer alternative release versions.

The version 2 updates since 2016 have changed the game in many places. Here's the huge release notes document up to v2.3:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/beamdog.com/release_notes/ReleaseNotes080616.pdf

[Armanz]

There's 4 new NPCs, and while they may not be on BG level, they are well-written for the most part.

fauxpas just likes to ♥♥♥♥ on everything beamdog does.

[wendigo211]

The EE also added some new kits: The Blackguard, Dwarven Defender, Dragon Disciple, Shadowdancer, Sun Soul Monk, Dark Moon Monk, Priest of Tyr and Shaman. IIRC they also changed the Barbarian from being its own class to a Fighter kit.

[fauxpas]

Originally posted by Armanz:

fauxpas just likes to ♥♥♥♥ on everything beamdog does.

Not everything; just the things that deserve my distain.

[.O.]

1. I think there are some quality of life improvements and general improvements
2. Some of the new writing is really bad, but some of it is decent, on balance it's ok. Just ignore the bad ones.
3. You can still mod this game. I would suggest getting BWS:

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/44476/tool-big-world-setup-bws-mod-manager-for-baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition-trilogy-for-windows

the mods listed in BWS can be overwhelming, but really you can just unselect everything and simply use the ones you want.

[anferFFmax]

The main differences are that the EE is:

1st. More compatible with modern systems.
2nd. On Steam, which adds convinience.
3rd. Still being updated, which is great. The older one is no longer being updated. It does have a crapload of mods though. But so does this one.
4th. Better looking with updated graphics.
5th. Better suited for custom portraits.
6th. Far less troubled with bugs.
7th. Offering more quests and companions, which translates to more XP and more loot!
8th. Better orginized, and easier to understand thanks to improved menus and interface.

Conclusion: With respect to other people's opinion, I can't think of a single reason to get the original other than for collecting. If that's the case, then get a hard copy instead of the digital version. It's likely to cost you an arm and a leg though.