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[Hostile_18]

"The Lord of Murder shall perish, but in his doom he shall spawn a score of mortal progeny. Chaos will be sewn from their passage. So sayeth the wise Alaundo."

Name: Baldur's Gate I & II: Enhanced Editions
Release: 15/10/19
Formats: PS4, XB1, Switch, PC, Mobile.
Price: $49.99 (RRP)

Baldurs Gate Enhanced collection brings together the original 1998 cRPG PC game, its sequel and expansions (both old and new) onto console for the first time. Updated with quality of life improvements, new characters, quests, expansions and a brand new controller UI.

What games are included exactly?
Baldur's Gate
Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast (Original expansion)
Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear (New)
Baldur's Gate: The Blackpits (New)
Baldur's Gate 2: Shadow of Amn
Baldur's Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal (Original Expansion)
Baldur's Gate 2: The Blackpits 2 (New)

Why do I want to play this?
This is your chance to play some of the most iconic RPG's ever made by Bioware at the height of their powers. Both titles won numerous GOTY awards upon their release. It's also a great way to prepare for the upcoming Baldur's Gate 3 (coming from Larion Studios next year) and also to experience the wealth of new content Beamdog who remastered these games, has created.

How long will it take to beat?
200+ hours easily, best say goodbye to your loved ones now.

But how are the console versions?
God is a Geek: 8.5/10
X-Box Tavern: 8.3/10
Push Square: 8/10
Nintendo Life: 8/10
Rpgsite.net: 8/10
Screen Rant: 3.5/5
Tech Radar: Recommended

Baldur's Gate 1 Enhanced Edition Trailer


Baldur's Gate 1 Siege of Dragonspear Trailer


Baldurs Gate 2 Enhanced Edition Trailer

 

[Hostile_18]

What difficulty is everyone playing at? I'm playing on the D&D core ruleset (one above normal).

Just left the Friendly Arm inn. I forgot how long you can spend micro managing your party. It also works as a team management game Make sure to make the right hires and that you are thorough on the interview process!

 

[TexMex]

I want to get into these games so bad but I am completely illiterate when it comes to these D&D type games. Original Sin 2 might as well have been in another language.

 

[Hostile_18]

I want to get into these games so bad but I am completely illiterate when it comes to these D&D type games. Original Sin 2 might as well have been in another language.

There is a new tutorial made for the first game to help with this. I'd say try playing at a lower difficulty as well as it gives you more options for different tactics and more margin for error. It's one of those releases where it's a risky buy as it's a marmite game, but if you like it your going to be happy for a long, long time.

 

[kingbean]

I went for Planescape Torment and Icewind Dale first.

Let's see if I can get the hang of them or if I'll bounce off.

 

[Hostile_18]

I went for Planescape Torment and Icewind Dale first.

Let's see if I can get the hang of them or if I'll bounce off.

Which one are you going to play first?

I'll get that collection when its on sale. Tbh the only real downside of these releases are how expensive they are... just a few quid less than to buy Cyberpunk 2077... the effort to port these must have been... extreme . For some reason as well there's a Sony tax compared to the Microsoft store.

 

[kingbean]

Which one are you going to play first?

I'll get that collection when its on sale. Tbh the only real downside of these releases are how expensive they are... just a few quid less than to buy Cyberpunk 2077... the effort to port these must have been... extreme . For some reason as well there's a Sony tax compared to the Microsoft store.

Planescape first because it has a more interesting story and concept to me.

 

[Hostile_18]

Planescape first because it has a more interesting story and concept to me.

100% agreed I got really far on it back in the day. Looking forward to playing it again, it's going to be my most amount of reading I've done in ages, outside of take away menus that is

 

[anthraticus]

I want to get into these games so bad but I am completely illiterate when it comes to these D&D type games. Original Sin 2 might as well have been in another language.

Reading the manual might help.

 

[Spukc]

Nice OP
I can't stop but think its kinda insulting its the same price as divinity original sin 2.
And the fact i bought these games for 2 euros each on sale on ios isnt helping either.
With (debatable) beter pen controls.

I want to get these games but for a more fair price like capcom 30th ani. That was on sale for 25.

I can only imagine these games to go on sale pretty darn fast

 

[Daymos]

I would love to bite and buy this one but it'll drop in price and I have no time to play it right now. It's so nice to have digital games that never sell out, I don't have to worry about the game disappearing before I get to buying it.

100% will buy it eventually, I don't need a backlog bigger than 30 games just yet though.

 

[Hostile_18]

Nice OP
I can't stop but think its kinda insulting its the same price as divinity original sin 2.
And the fact i bought these games for 2 euros each on sale on ios isnt helping either.
With (debatable) beter pen controls.

I want to get these games but for a more fair price like capcom 30th ani. That was on sale for 25.

I can only imagine these games to go on sale pretty darn fast

I agree it's bad that the worst criticism we can level at these is that there so god damned expensive. The work they have done on the actual game is really well done. Seems like a massive missed opportunity to bring in new fans by asking for such a huge price.

Why is the physical version cheaper than the digital? (by a big margin) Why is the game more on Sony's platform than Microsofts or Nintendo's...

 

[EDMIX]

I'll likely pick it up next year. Respectable thread OP

 

[Hostile_18]

I would love to bite and buy this one but it'll drop in price and I have no time to play it right now. It's so nice to have digital games that never sell out, I don't have to worry about the game disappearing before I get to buying it.

100% will buy it eventually, I don't need a backlog bigger than 30 games just yet though.

That's true I guess it just comes down to if you want to play these first before the sequel comes out.

 

[hariseldon]

Is this the same version as the PC Enhanced Edition?

 

[Hostile_18]

Is this the same version as the PC Enhanced Edition?

I think the releases are largely separate on PC. This bundles together everything all in one package (and is the only option if you want to play on console), along with a redone UI for use with a controller.

 

[hariseldon]

I think the releases are largely separate on PC. This bundles together everything all in one package (and is the only option if you want to play on console), along with a redone UI for use with a controller.

That makes sense. I really should give it a go some time, this year I’ve played for the first time KOTOR 1/2, Mass Effect 1 and 2, time to go back to the one everyone says is a classic.

 

[ClanOfNone]

I've always wanted to take a monk all the way through the BG saga, I think now is the time. Early game is gonna be a real kick in the balls, but it'll payoff in the long run.

 

[Scopa]

Reading the manual might help.

The original PC manual was thick as hell, if I remember correctly. Still got it around here somewhere.

Anyone playing the Switch version? Impressions?

 

[ClanOfNone]

The original manual was basically the 2nd edition ad&d player's handbook, it contained a shitload of information.

 

[kingbean]

The original PC manual was thick as hell, if I remember correctly. Still got it around here somewhere.

Anyone playing the Switch version? Impressions?

I got the switch version. I'll respond again after I get home.

 

[bumleforce]

How are the stories on all these games? Both boulders icewind dale and torment?. I want to try them all. How would the stories compare to other rpgs

 

[ClanOfNone]

Torment really is quite a ride story-wise, it is really good. The BG saga is also appropriately epic, and the character writing is fantastic.

Icewind Dale is the only loser here, it is essentially a long ass dungeon crawl. Which is great in its own way, but story is not the draw there. Your party is entirely generated by you in IWD as well, so there is no party stories or banter whatsoever.

 

[Hostile_18]

What kind of party does everyone have?

Can the buffs a bard or thief have for example really make up for not having an additional tank? In an ideal world I usually have 4 tanks (fighters) one archer/thief and one area of effect Mage.

The more specialist classes look to be more for role playing or an extra challenge. I could be very wrong though, interested to hear what everyone else chooses.

 

[Coflash]

$74AUD on the Switch hahahahahaha!

 

[klosos]

What kind of party does everyone have?

Can the buffs a bard or thief have for example really make up for not having an additional tank? In an ideal world I usually have 4 tanks (fighters) one archer/thief and one area of effect Mage.

The more specialist classes look to be more for role playing or an extra challenge. I could be very wrong though, interested to hear what everyone else chooses.

Great OT Hostile_18

Evil party for me as always , Edwin (Mage) , Xzar (mage) , Viconia (best Girl cleric),Kagain( Tank ) , Dorn Ill Khan (Fighter , best character from the EE version and me as Thief- Bounty hunter.

Remember archers in BG 1 are well overpowered.

 

[ClanOfNone]

What kind of party does everyone have?

Can the buffs a bard or thief have for example really make up for not having an additional tank? In an ideal world I usually have 4 tanks (fighters) one archer/thief and one area of effect Mage.

The more specialist classes look to be more for role playing or an extra challenge. I could be very wrong though, interested to hear what everyone else chooses.

Most BG vets will dual-class with their main character, but I've always been a single class kinda guy.
Having a dedicated archer is an immensely effective strategy, especially in the early game. They will annihilate most of the trash mobs before they even get close to you. They are also great against mages as a hit on a casting mage can disrupt their spell.
Their are plenty of pretty good party character options, so what you make as a main is really up to your preferences.
Arcane casters get insanely powerful at higher levels, the spell variety and utility are awesome in these games.

Early game can be rough for any non-melee class, at first and 2nd levels you can literally be taken out with one good hit.

Save often! Wish they hadn't removed the quick save button from the ios games.

 

[Hostile_18]

Thanks for the replies guys, all useful information! Think I'm going to have two archers, one mage and 3 fighters.

My original game back in the day I used to have a sword and shield style fighter and in the sequel duel wielded. With this enhanced edition I can duel wield from the start.

 

[Vawn]

$74AUD on the Switch hahahahahaha!

That's your problem. You just need to move.

 

[klosos]

My original game back in the day I used to have a sword and shield style fighter and in the sequel duel wielded. With this enhanced edition I can duel wield from the start.

Remember at level one when duel wielding you get penalties to your characters thac0 , i think its -3 off hand weapon and -1 or -2 for your main hand to hit , if i am remembering right. so to start of duel is a bit of a miss fest in combat.

 

[Hostile_18]

Remember at level one when duel wielding you get penalties to your characters thac0 , i think its -3 off hand weapon and -1 or -2 for your main hand to hit , if i am remembering right. so to start of duel is a bit of a miss fest in combat.

Yeah I remembered, I put my first few points into negating that penalty. I think it's now 0 main hand and -2 off hand, so not too bad! However I picked up a belt that turned me into a female so it's not all roses and flowers

 

[kingbean]

The original PC manual was thick as hell, if I remember correctly. Still got it around here somewhere.

Anyone playing the Switch version? Impressions?

Looks and runs good. Had to crank up the text size for portable. Thankfully you can directly control the character instead of moving a pointer around with the stick.

I played for about an hour and got totally lost and ended up killing people and restarting lol.

 

[Slings and Arrows]

Edit

me know reed gud. Me kneed 2 go 2 skewl 2 lern England betterer.

MY bad 4 shittn up da fred

 

[V4skunk]

In Baldur's gate 1/2 character creation it is a good idea to spend time rolling your stats until you have 90+ points.

What kind of party does everyone have?

Can the buffs a bard or thief have for example really make up for not having an additional tank? In an ideal world I usually have 4 tanks (fighters) one archer/thief and one area of effect Mage.

The more specialist classes look to be more for role playing or an extra challenge. I could be very wrong though, interested to hear what everyone else chooses.

You need more magic people other wise you'll get fucked up by simple confusion spells and such.

 

[Hostile_18]

In Baldur's gate 1/2 character creation it is a good idea to spend time rolling your stats until you have 90+ points.

You need more magic people other wise you'll get fucked up by simple confusion spells and such.

What does that mean rolling your stats? Do some characters start with more points to distribute?

I see on all these games you can import your characters from one game/expansion to the next which is a great little feature.

 

[RavageX]

Is this easy to see on switch?

 

[7iberius]

What does that mean rolling your stats? Do some characters start with more points to distribute?

Because these games use the AD&D ruleset from the 90s, you roll dice to determine how many stat points you get when you create a character. You can then redistribute these points as you like. You can also re-roll as many times as you want in hopes of getting a higher total of stat points, which lets you make a more overpowered character.

One more thing to know if you want to power game: Strenth is unique from all other stats because it has additional tiers above the usual cap of 18. The highest tier is 18/00 (think of 00 as meaning 100), the next highest tier is from 18/91 upwards, then 18/76 upwards, and so on down. Which strength tier you get is random, just like your stat points, so you can re-roll in hopes of getting a higher tier. The higher the tier, the better the bonuses to melee damage, THAC0, carry weight, etc.

 

[ClanOfNone]

I rerolled for a good 45 minutes to get a 91 point spread for my monk. It was worth it.

 

[Hostile_18]

I never even knew about this re-rolling business. I wonder what I got when I created my character.

Must admit I'm loving playing this game again. All the extra content is new to me as well. Was a little bit hesitant about paying so much in case it didnt click with me anymore but thankfully it did. Just got to the Naskel Mines, it's so addictive.

 

[V4skunk]

I rerolled for a good 45 minutes to get a 91 point spread for my monk. It was worth it.

I've spent an hour to roll a 95! Only to re roll again by natural instinct...

 

[Hostile_18]

I've had a falling out with Minsc... he suddenly turned aggro for not having got to his quest line yet, and no save had enough time to get to her. So I did what any self respecting leader would do, I killed him before he could complain and carried him around with me lol. When I did I got the trophy for rescuing her (glitch?) I shortly after when to the fortress, cleared it out and she was no where to be seen. So I swapped him out for a new member.

Will he be locked out of BG2 for me now? Not the end of the world but a little disappointing.

 

[ClanOfNone]

Minsc is in the opening dungeon of BG2 by default, you should be fine. I'm doing an evil run so I'll be running Dorn in his place.

 

[Hostile_18]

Minsc is in the opening dungeon of BG2 by default, you should be fine. I'm doing an evil run so I'll be running Dorn in his place.

Ah brilliant. I was thinking if I imported my save it was all the characters I brought forward.

I met Dorn, added him to my party for a moment and lost 8 reputation points, so he soon was replaced I do have the new mage Nera in my group. A romance is happening I think!

 

[ClanOfNone]

I feel like the evil party characters were written better and are more fun to have around. Plus, they have better caster options.
It does mean missing out on Carsomyr in BG2, but I'll get over it.

It's been a LONG time since I've replayed BG1, I'm finding ive forgotten a ton of shit. I've got Neera in my party now, but once I run into Edwin...

 

[Hostile_18]

I've just got the boots of speed and with the way movement works now with the anolgue stick one pair is like everyone having them equipped (the rest move a fraction behind the main player character).

Not sure if it counts as cheating lol.

I'm just about to assault the second mine. Playing on D&D difficulty. Sometimes I feel really powerful other times weak lol. If a battle fucks you up it takes a while to recover your party to what it was (back to the temple, all weapons equipped etc).

 

[Hostile_18]

I've done most things in the first game now. Must have played about 50/60 hours in a week and a half! Just in Dulag's tower.

I tell you what using Dark Souls strategy of luring one enemy out at a time really works lol.

 

[Xeaker]

Did they already patched new voice over in from other languages?

 

[Hostile_18]

Did they already patched new voice over in from other languages?

There hasn't been any further patches since the day 1 one. I have given console feedback on the official forums that a dev has commented on, so hopefully quality of life features/tweaks will be added in upcoming patches (such as the map screen size, quick save etc).

 

[Lanrutcon]

What's the best way to experience these games these days? Grab em on Steam? GOG? Any difference? mod support?

 

[Virex]

What's the best way to experience these games these days? Grab em on Steam? GOG? Any difference? mod support?

GoG