Why is BG2 so damn...

WSBoaBoa · 03-12-2003, 09:23 PM

Great!

Well, after playing BG2 for the second time all the way to the end and now continuing onto ToB I must say this game has the most replay value todate for myself. *Note I must have played 30+ games to about halfway point or more of BG1 and BG2 starting back since when they where released.

I am an avid player of both PnP and computer RPGs having played a wide majority of PC RPGs to date and none seem to have captured the essence RPGing for me more then the BG sega has. I bought NwN and played it to the end thinking it would have had the same care and detail of the BG sega and then went onto the many mods and add ons that people created but found it rather lacking in its detail and scope, I prefer play then GMing. Maybe posting a list of points why BG was so good for myself might help out game devs that frequent this board to target RPGers. So here are a few of my points, feel free to add anything.

- NPCs and PCs that interact with whats going on around them, big huge plus! Nothing like a war of words in ones party, adds so much feel to each character.
- Tons of side quests that feel like they belong in the campain setting.
- LARGE open ended campain with multiple ways of compleating the main quests or tasks, some based on what you have already done or good / evil ways.
- Well thought out and written story from start to end. (BG - BG2 - ToB) even adding elements from the many novels and manuals.
- Nice in game cut sequences that actaully move the plot forward.
- Graphics, I felt NwN had a major cookie cutter type feel to it compared to BG. The hand painted zones of BG2 add so much more feel then NwN's 3D maps. IMO BGs 2D wins hand over fist when it comes to adding to the feel of new and unique areas.
- Sound, Can't stress the added impact of well done voice overs that make characters feel like they are unique! Not to mention the super atmosphere sounds of the wilderness areas or dungeons.

I'm sure there are alot more things that make BG2 stand out over the piles of other RPGs. By the way did the person who directed BG1 and BG2 leave the company or was NwN just a simple hack and slash module tied onto the new 3D engine to show it off?

Shadowbane · 03-12-2003, 10:02 PM

I agree completely! I've played many RPG's and strategy games over the years and nothing (for me) comes close to the level of replayability I have experienced with SoA/ToB. I'm currently on my third game (second with ToB) and am trying different strongholds, romances, party configurations, quest options and alignments. It's just incredible how much scope this game has. They've got to make another one like this or I'm gonna cry. [img]graemlins/crying.gif[/img]

Oh yeah, I have to add that the music in this game is SUPERB! Every other game I've played I end up turning off the music, but not with this game. Oh no. Sound, replayability, gameplay, good graphics. It's got it all. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Xero279 · 03-12-2003, 10:30 PM

I agree, this game is the best ive played in my experience with RPGs. i love everyting about it, especially the story and how things change all the time depending on how you play the game. very cool! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

BTW, Welcome to IW WSBoaBoa [img]graemlins/happywave.gif[/img]

SpongeBobTheDestoyer · 03-12-2003, 11:54 PM

Welcome to Ironworks WSBoaBoa! I agree with everything you said as I am completely addicted to this game. I also want to point out that this forum is as good as it gets and thus the best place to discuss this most wonderful game. Stick around and enjoy. [img]smile.gif[/img]

karlosovic · 03-13-2003, 01:35 AM

in the last 5 months I have played nothing but BG1/BG2. Considering how much time I spend playing PC games... that's a lot of hours spent playing BG! quite a testament to the replay value this game has, especially with all the great mods out there. I have never loved a game as much as the BG series

Mahlennacht · 03-13-2003, 03:26 AM

well said WSBoaBoa - you will hear numerous complaints about bugs and quirks in BG2 (and there are quirks), but even then these are very minor problems considering the great things about the game. I've played this game all the way thru 6 times during the last 2 years and I'm still finding new things I've never seen before... the music is so good I've extracted some of it and play it in the background while I do something else.

One of my favorite things about BG2 that you hadn't yet mentioned was how damn FUNNY the writing is... there are moments here that are among the funniest things I've seen in any form of entertainment.

I HOPE that game developers finally realize that driving toward a "realistic experience" simply won't guarantee the game will be good. Memorable moments are one of the hallmarks of a classic game - Half-Life had tons of them, for instance, and so does BG2. Entertainment, gameplay, and interface are also more important than spiffy graphics, which is why I bailed on Morrowind, and also sadly NWN, though the Aurora engine is beautiful and interfaces fairly well.

Unfortunately I don't see any future CRPG that will ever match BG2. There is too much focus on graphics, "realism" and "total open-endedness" and less focus on FUN. In fact for me the only way forward from BG2 would seem to be PnP AD&D, which I have never tried, but I may want to now, seeing that there seems to be no future for CRPGs now that everyone is afraid of NOT pushing graphics - they're compromising gameplay for new engine development.

D*Ranged · 03-13-2003, 03:54 AM

Usually I have tendency to get sick of games in a few days...but I aint sick of this even when I got this 2 years ago.

Oh, and welcome to ironworks.
[img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

[ 03-13-2003, 03:54 AM: Message edited by: D*Ranged ]

Eternal · 03-13-2003, 05:12 AM

i reckon its unanomous then,,,,,, its HOT !!

ShadowChild · 03-13-2003, 05:15 AM

No i disagree! i think its Poo!...it matters not that i play it all weekend...all night after work...and sometimes before i go to work...*sniffle*...ahh...do i have a problem?

Gangrell · 03-13-2003, 07:26 AM

Shh, it's ok ShadowChild *pats Shadow on the back*

Ever since early December when I got this game from my uncle, I haven't played anything else for awhile, aside from a couple of other games but nothing really serious. BG is the best RPG ever, it's got it all and then some and whoever says different is a lair!!

03-12-2003, 10:30 PM	#3
Xero279 Symbol of Cyric Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 36 Posts: 1,360	I agree, this game is the best ive played in my experience with RPGs. i love everyting about it, especially the story and how things change all the time depending on how you play the game. very cool! [img]tongue.gif[/img] BTW, Welcome to IW WSBoaBoa [img]graemlins/happywave.gif[/img] __________________ <br /> <img border=\"0\" alt=\"[music04]\" title=\"\" src=\"graemlins/music04.gif\" /> Live to Rock, Rock to Live <img border=\"0\" alt=\"[rocking2]\" title=\"\" src=\"graemlins/rocking2.gif\" /> <br />[url]\"http://www.livejournal.com/users/Xero279\" target=\"_blank\">...From The Mind of Xero</a>

03-12-2003, 11:54 PM	#4
SpongeBobTheDestoyer Avatar Join Date: August 2, 2002 Location: St. Louis Age: 49 Posts: 529	Welcome to Ironworks WSBoaBoa! I agree with everything you said as I am completely addicted to this game. I also want to point out that this forum is as good as it gets and thus the best place to discuss this most wonderful game. Stick around and enjoy. [img]smile.gif[/img] __________________ [img]\"http://membres.lycos.fr/th8or/JubeiSigSig.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

03-13-2003, 01:35 AM	#5
karlosovic Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: December 1, 2002 Location: Newcastle, Australia Age: 46 Posts: 636	in the last 5 months I have played nothing but BG1/BG2. Considering how much time I spend playing PC games... that's a lot of hours spent playing BG! quite a testament to the replay value this game has, especially with all the great mods out there. I have never loved a game as much as the BG series __________________ Sunglasses of Coolness +2<br /><br />Cernd: \"It is with great pride and pleasure that I accept this Most Valuable Player award....\"<br />(from the genius of Six of Spades)

03-13-2003, 03:54 AM	#7
D*Ranged Avatar Join Date: January 4, 2002 Location: Wellington ,NZ (I revealed it to people now...) Age: 41 Posts: 585	Usually I have tendency to get sick of games in a few days...but I aint sick of this even when I got this 2 years ago. Oh, and welcome to ironworks. [img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] [ 03-13-2003, 03:54 AM: Message edited by: D*Ranged ] __________________ YAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWN...........

03-13-2003, 05:12 AM	#8
Eternal Manshoon Join Date: January 13, 2003 Location: Holland Age: 39 Posts: 197	i reckon its unanomous then,,,,,, its HOT !! __________________ jal zhal nym\'uer ussta kaas, lueth rei ulu ninta talwien !!

03-12-2003, 09:23 PM	#1
WSBoaBoa Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: January 22, 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 52 Posts: 36	Great! Well, after playing BG2 for the second time all the way to the end and now continuing onto ToB I must say this game has the most replay value todate for myself. *Note I must have played 30+ games to about halfway point or more of BG1 and BG2 starting back since when they where released. I am an avid player of both PnP and computer RPGs having played a wide majority of PC RPGs to date and none seem to have captured the essence RPGing for me more then the BG sega has. I bought NwN and played it to the end thinking it would have had the same care and detail of the BG sega and then went onto the many mods and add ons that people created but found it rather lacking in its detail and scope, I prefer play then GMing. Maybe posting a list of points why BG was so good for myself might help out game devs that frequent this board to target RPGers. So here are a few of my points, feel free to add anything. - NPCs and PCs that interact with whats going on around them, big huge plus! Nothing like a war of words in ones party, adds so much feel to each character. - Tons of side quests that feel like they belong in the campain setting. - LARGE open ended campain with multiple ways of compleating the main quests or tasks, some based on what you have already done or good / evil ways. - Well thought out and written story from start to end. (BG - BG2 - ToB) even adding elements from the many novels and manuals. - Nice in game cut sequences that actaully move the plot forward. - Graphics, I felt NwN had a major cookie cutter type feel to it compared to BG. The hand painted zones of BG2 add so much more feel then NwN's 3D maps. IMO BGs 2D wins hand over fist when it comes to adding to the feel of new and unique areas. - Sound, Can't stress the added impact of well done voice overs that make characters feel like they are unique! Not to mention the super atmosphere sounds of the wilderness areas or dungeons. I'm sure there are alot more things that make BG2 stand out over the piles of other RPGs. By the way did the person who directed BG1 and BG2 leave the company or was NwN just a simple hack and slash module tied onto the new 3D engine to show it off?

03-12-2003, 10:02 PM	#2
Shadowbane Dungeon Master Join Date: February 10, 2003 Location: Canada Age: 48 Posts: 57	I agree completely! I've played many RPG's and strategy games over the years and nothing (for me) comes close to the level of replayability I have experienced with SoA/ToB. I'm currently on my third game (second with ToB) and am trying different strongholds, romances, party configurations, quest options and alignments. It's just incredible how much scope this game has. They've got to make another one like this or I'm gonna cry. [img]graemlins/crying.gif[/img] Oh yeah, I have to add that the music in this game is SUPERB! Every other game I've played I end up turning off the music, but not with this game. Oh no. Sound, replayability, gameplay, good graphics. It's got it all. [img]smile.gif[/img]

03-13-2003, 03:26 AM	#6
Mahlennacht Drow Warrior Join Date: September 10, 2001 Location: CA, USA Age: 60 Posts: 298	well said WSBoaBoa - you will hear numerous complaints about bugs and quirks in BG2 (and there are quirks), but even then these are very minor problems considering the great things about the game. I've played this game all the way thru 6 times during the last 2 years and I'm still finding new things I've never seen before... the music is so good I've extracted some of it and play it in the background while I do something else. One of my favorite things about BG2 that you hadn't yet mentioned was how damn FUNNY the writing is... there are moments here that are among the funniest things I've seen in any form of entertainment. I HOPE that game developers finally realize that driving toward a "realistic experience" simply won't guarantee the game will be good. Memorable moments are one of the hallmarks of a classic game - Half-Life had tons of them, for instance, and so does BG2. Entertainment, gameplay, and interface are also more important than spiffy graphics, which is why I bailed on Morrowind, and also sadly NWN, though the Aurora engine is beautiful and interfaces fairly well. Unfortunately I don't see any future CRPG that will ever match BG2. There is too much focus on graphics, "realism" and "total open-endedness" and less focus on FUN. In fact for me the only way forward from BG2 would seem to be PnP AD&D, which I have never tried, but I may want to now, seeing that there seems to be no future for CRPGs now that everyone is afraid of NOT pushing graphics - they're compromising gameplay for new engine development.

03-13-2003, 05:15 AM	#9
ShadowChild Manshoon Join Date: February 19, 2003 Location: Scouse Land... Age: 44 Posts: 230	No i disagree! i think its Poo!...it matters not that i play it all weekend...all night after work...and sometimes before i go to work...sniffle...ahh...do i have a problem? __________________ Never violate a woman nor harm a child. Do not lie, cheat or steal. These things are for lesser men. Protect the weak against the evil strong. And never allow thoughts of gain to lead you into the pursuit of evil.<br /><br /><i>Druss The Legend</i>

03-13-2003, 07:26 AM	#10
Gangrell Iron Throne Cult Join Date: January 2, 2003 Location: Big Castle in the Sky Age: 37 Posts: 4,835	Shh, it's ok ShadowChild pats Shadow on the back Ever since early December when I got this game from my uncle, I haven't played anything else for awhile, aside from a couple of other games but nothing really serious. BG is the best RPG ever, it's got it all and then some and whoever says different is a lair!!

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