Review of Baldur'sGate

"Baldur's Gate" was finally released last year and will see it's first expansion disc very soon. The most exceptional thing about this game is that it has caught the attention of very many PC gamers who don't roleplay,which can only be a good thing for the roleplaying hobby. Set in TSR's "Forgotten Realms" campaign world, the game is remarkably true to the original RPG setting. I actually compared the information found in the game with the information from the boxed set, and it matched perfectly. So why read about the inn keeper of the Friendly Arm Inn when you can actually gather a party of adventurers, walk into the Friendly Arm and talk to the inn keeper?

In times when 3D games (enhanced with 3Dfx) still are the most popular PC games, it is refreshing to find a 2D isometric view in "Baldur's Gate". The graphics are great, with attention to detail. When your character changes his or her wardrobe, you actually see the change on-screen. Also, spells have various visual effects, and carried weapons are accurately depicted on-screen. This, combined with an easy interface gives you the sense that you actually roam around in the Realms.

Using the AD&D rules, you start the game by creating a character. You have a wide range of options available, from over 20 character classes down to the hair and skin color. When the character is created, the game starts. Without giving away too much of the plot, your character has grown behind the safe walls of Candlekeep, a location previously described in Forgotten Realms-lore. Now something threatens the peace and tranquillity of Candlekeep and the regions near it, and it has (of course) something to do with your character. The story unfolds in chapters, meaning that you have to complete certain tasks in order to advance the main story. Throughout the game you meet monsters, collect treasure and gain experience - without getting that repetetive feel you get from games such as "Diablo" and "Daggerfall". The maps you travel through are beautifully drawn, provide plenty of variety, and contain enough various foes and allies to keep interest constant throughout the game.

When you have gotten about half-way through the game, you are allowed to enter Baldur's Gate itself, a large city on the Sword Coast. It consists of several map areas connected to each other. Visiting this city is a game in itself; plenty of NPCs, inns, stores and quests. A friend of mine spent four hours just looking around and enjoying the city strolling... "Baldur's Gate" is a totally addictive game. It was difficult to do anything else but play. My eyes were rectangular after sixteen hours in a row. I was totally emerged in the game, and my interest in the Forgotten Realms soared.

"Baldur's Gate" is a rich game. It has originality - and clichés I wouldn't be without. It is as good as it gets without being an actual roleplaying game. I must admit, I delayed my gaming sessions to play "Gate". My players weren't too happy about it. Now, two of them haven't seen the outdoors for quite a time, playing the game themselves. In the end, the game also enriched our AD&D sessions, providing inspiration for hours to come.

Now, I can't wait for "Tales From The Sword Coast". I'll just sink back in my chair, and wander into the Realms for more adventure.

And I haven't even mentioned a word about the diverse dialogues, the many sounds & sights, the personalities of the many NPCs - from the calishite fighter Khalid's nervous stuttering to the maniacal mage Xzar, the exciting and rather tough (and few) dungeons around, the talking chicken, the magnificent final encounter, the ankheg cave, the gnoll stronghold with the imprisoned invoker Dynaheir, the funny Minsc or all the other great experiences this game provides.

In three words, I RECOMMEND IT. To everyone.

Style: 5 (Excellent!)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)