Baldurs Gate Series
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Epsilon
Dr. Strangelove



Posts: 9240
Location: War Room
PostPosted: Wed, 11th Aug 2010 16:34    Post subject: Baldurs Gate Series

Quote:
The Baldur's Gate series brought many technical advancements over computer-based role-playing games of the past. BioWare's Infinity Engine offers a pre-rendered isometric worldview, with sprite-based characters. Baldur's Gate was also the third computer game ever to make use of the Lua scripting language. The engine was also used for Planescape: Torment and the Icewind Dale series.

The games are based on a real-time modification of the second edition AD&D (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons) ruleset. The player's party can have up to six members, either created by the player according to the AD&D rules or NPCs recruited by the protagonist from the game world. Numerous side quests and plot twists are associated with particular NPCs and can be activated if they are found in the player's party. Through extensive, context-dependent dialogue, many characters inside and outside the player's party are fleshed out and given an added level of complexity.

In 1999, Baldur's Gate won the Origins Award for Best Roleplaying Computer Game of 1998, and in 2000, Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast won Best Roleplaying Computer Game of 1999. Baldur's Gate has also been often compared to Diablo (an action RPG), perhaps for similarities in dungeon-crawling and the isometric view, but is much more story driven with less hack and slash.


Since we didn't already have a topic about these great games here, I thought it was time we had one.
Also I noticed that the Big World mod has recently been updated. For those who don't know what that is, it's a mod which merges the world of Baldurs Gate + Expansion with Baldurs Gate II + expansion into the Baldurs Gate II world while adding a ton of the best community made mods.
Giving you hundreds of hours of play where you start out in Baldurs gate and some 500 hours later might begin to wonder if you'll ever finish.
You can find a guide to settin up the Big World here

If you're wanting to play these games again you owe it to yourself to play it with all the fantastic mods thats been created since their original release, mods like "The longest Road", "Shadows over Soubar" to name some of the most prominent and best in my opinion, but you can install as many as you want as long as you read and make sure theres no conflicts, the big world installer wizard makes this easy for you though, which is why this is so awesome Very Happy
And if you've never played these games before you're really in for a treat here, so get on with it!
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Gomp




Posts: 626
Location: Norway
PostPosted: Wed, 11th Aug 2010 17:12    Post subject:
Excellent games.
Ive got a collection and i must say. Its brutally difficult at times but still a good game
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dsergei




Posts: 4047
Location: Moscow, Russia
PostPosted: Wed, 11th Aug 2010 17:31    Post subject:
I have to say that none of the "big" mods are that great. The writing is usually pretty weak and inconsistent with the main games. Some of the smaller ones are really well done though. I'll reinstall my compilation later this week and make a list. Smile
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sabin1981
Mostly Cursed



Posts: 87805

PostPosted: Wed, 11th Aug 2010 21:22    Post subject:
Awww man, I've not played Baldur's Gate in YEARS! I really should get back into it, especially with the Big World mod -- which is awesome on a scale not seen in previous modding scenes. Some Oblivion/Morrowind modders tried to do the same thing, but Bethesda shut them down faster than a fucking bullet Sad
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Ankh




Posts: 23266
Location: Trelleborg
PostPosted: Wed, 11th Aug 2010 22:09    Post subject:
sabin1981 wrote:
Some Oblivion/Morrowind modders tried to do the same thing, but Bethesda shut them down faster than a fucking bullet Sad


Why?


shitloads of new stuff in my pc. Cant keep track of it all.
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sabin1981
Mostly Cursed



Posts: 87805

PostPosted: Wed, 11th Aug 2010 22:11    Post subject:
No idea mate, it's a shame too because the idea - and initially released mod - showed SO much promise! Basically porting the entire content of Morrowind into the Oblivion engine and game. You needed to own both games, so no copyrighted material was used, and it added a ship from Oblivion that took you to Morrowind and let you explore the entire continent.

http://thenexusforums.com/index.php?showtopic=49000&st=0
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Ankh




Posts: 23266
Location: Trelleborg
PostPosted: Wed, 11th Aug 2010 22:15    Post subject:
Ahh well that one I understand why they made sure never got released (incase they want to release it themself) I thought it was a mod to make the world bigger (with their own materials).


shitloads of new stuff in my pc. Cant keep track of it all.
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CookieCrumb




Posts: 4670
Location: Celephaïs
PostPosted: Thu, 12th Aug 2010 00:00    Post subject:
Installed BG1&2 with the Big World Project. Haven't started yet. Because a) Once I start I know it will be very hard for me to stop and b) I can't decide on a character :/
Btw why can't you play a Cleric/Thief dualclass? That would be like the most awesome class combination ever Very Happy
A priest that steals your money if you don't donate Laughing


sabin1981 wrote:
Now you're just arguing semantics. Getting fucked in the ass with a broom stale is an "improvement" over getting stabbed in the eye with a fork Rolling Eyes
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moosenoodles




Posts: 18411

PostPosted: Thu, 12th Aug 2010 01:24    Post subject:
if anyone is wondering, you can get I think the Baldur's Gate Compilation on usenet, roll's in at about 6gb i think. so u get cd.s or dvd's something like that so im guessing the size for bg1 and bg2 together is around 3 something gigs.
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Ispep
VIP Member



Posts: 4117

PostPosted: Sat, 9th Oct 2010 21:34    Post subject:
If I have BG1, TotSC, BG2 & ToB, what's the best way to get started with regards to modding it all together? On this forum it's recommended the Big World Project in most threads, in other forums it's Tutu, on more forums it's Baldurs Gate Trilogy, then you've got Big Picture and various other modifications not to mention all the smaller mods you can add on yourself.

Where to start?


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Mister_s




Posts: 19863

PostPosted: Sat, 9th Oct 2010 21:43    Post subject:
I tried TuTu a year ago I think, worked brilliantly. Most mods change too much, "fixing" starts to mean "changing".

Whenever I read about big mods for games like BG, I cry at night thinking about PS:T Sad That game really needs an overhaul mod.
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capretto




Posts: 521
Location: Italy
PostPosted: Sun, 10th Oct 2010 03:37    Post subject:
Ispep wrote:
On this forum it's recommended the Big World Project in most threads?


Don't. I mean, the guy must have spent a shitload of hours to make that installer, but most mods are either shitty or useless - even the biggest ones like The Darkest Day and Check the Bodies were quite mediocre in my opinion, full of lame writing and boring quests (most of which didn't even allow for multiple approach, which was one of the features I appreaciated the most in BG2) and the writing of most companion-adding mods is on par with z-grade fanfiction. Basically, I'd rather avoid to install those mega packs because you can never judge the quality of single components, at least in my opinion.

Still, there ARE mods worth playing, but I suggest a simple manual installation:
- if you want extra challenge (but be careful, because sometimes it's borderline with frustration) you may want to add some mods that severely enhance some NPC combat encounters in the game (BG2 Tactics)
- I loved the Assassination mod, which adds a new questline completely focused on killing (or sparing people), lots of quests with multiple ways to be solved and choices and consequences.
- the Unfinished Business and Quest Pack are pretty much mandatory, especially the latter
- most of the NPC mods you find at pocketplane.org are good and worth trying - I particularly liked Keto and Xan. You may also want to get the banter pack.


BEST GAMES YOU'VE NEVER PLAYED (click)

Richard Benson: " Durante tutta la mia esistenza, ho avuto sempre un sogno...
(Throughout my whole existence, I've always had a dream...)
Loving fan: "un cazzo 'n culo!"
(A cock deep inside your ass!)
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JahLux
Banned



Posts: 3705

PostPosted: Sat, 30th Oct 2010 13:33    Post subject:
Ive never played the BG series but im thinking of picking it up, any gfx enhancing mods i should know of? or any must have ones?

thanks
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xyzg




Posts: 1835

PostPosted: Wed, 3rd Nov 2010 07:20    Post subject:
I reinstalled this recently for the 4th time (along with ToB) with lots of various mods to enhance gameplay... and for the 4th time in a row I just couldn't be bothered to sit through another 50-75 hours again to replay it all over again. *sigh*
For the couple of hours it took me too browse the net for mods and install time, I didn't even get as far as releasing Mincs and Jaheira from Irenicus's prison. I turned it off within 5 mins lol.
Was an epic game on my first and only playthrough though. Enjoy if you like your d&d.
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Spazmotic
VIP Member



Posts: 3107

PostPosted: Fri, 5th Nov 2010 05:36    Post subject:
Oh god..I could be in some trouble here...I don't have my BG 1 anymore though..hmm..
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TSR69
Banned



Posts: 14962
Location: Republic of the Seven United Provinces
PostPosted: Fri, 5th Nov 2010 07:26    Post subject:
xyzg wrote:
I reinstalled this recently for the 4th time (along with ToB) with lots of various mods to enhance gameplay... and for the 4th time in a row I just couldn't be bothered to sit through another 50-75 hours again to replay it all over again. *sigh*
For the couple of hours it took me too browse the net for mods and install time, I didn't even get as far as releasing Mincs and Jaheira from Irenicus's prison. I turned it off within 5 mins lol.
Was an epic game on my first and only playthrough though. Enjoy if you like your d&d.

I think the 1st BG took me about 300 hours to play, I have really fond memories of both BG games but to replay it: "Not the Naskal mines again Crying or Very sad"
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Spazmotic
VIP Member



Posts: 3107

PostPosted: Fri, 5th Nov 2010 09:17    Post subject:
Doesn't look like i'm leaving the house this weekend then Sad .. Been trying to find some of the major things Big World adds, I saw something about resolution, any other neato craps? can't seem to find a compiled list of the features that it adds..
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Spazmotic
VIP Member



Posts: 3107

PostPosted: Sun, 7th Nov 2010 11:08    Post subject:
As I figured...havn't done much other than sleep, drink, and play BG2. Hate you Epsilon Smile.

Anyone know of any new mages comparable to Edwin Non evil? I tried going evil to keep Viconia and Edwin happy, but it just doesn't work well.
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Spazmotic
VIP Member



Posts: 3107

PostPosted: Sat, 13th Nov 2010 06:43    Post subject:
I'm having alot of problems with every mage that crosses me with bigworld installed, It seems that every mage can simul cast sancuary / invis / spell invuln..etc etc before I can even run to it hasted. After that it's a combination of Maze, Confusion ,etc. I can avoid the confusion or charm with free action, but Spell Removal / Breach seems to do nothing against their defenses.. Basically I just have to haste and whack the crap out of them, hoping the spell drops before I do.

Edit: Nevermind, Found a few scrolls of "Secret Word" which from the description will do the trick... P.S. This thread is dead Sad
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dsergei




Posts: 4047
Location: Moscow, Russia
PostPosted: Sun, 28th Nov 2010 12:10    Post subject:
They all have contingencies on them for different situations - usually spotting an enemy or getting hit. Your mages can do it too. Breach only removes spells that protect againts other spells if i remember correctly so you still have to dispell other protective stuff after the spell protection drops.
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Roger_Young




Posts: 1408
Location: Portugal
PostPosted: Sun, 20th Feb 2011 16:40    Post subject:
Probably I'll buy one of the versions but which is best the DVD version or the GoG one? What about Icewind Dale?
Are all mods compatible with GoG?
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helvete




Posts: 2727
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Mon, 21st Feb 2011 17:43    Post subject:
I want to co-op the whole Baldur's Gate series with a friend. What do you guys recommend? BWP or something else? I'd rather not play BG1 with that horrid resolution, and I'd like a seamless experience.


REPOST
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Drowning_witch




Posts: 10818
Location: Strawberry fields
PostPosted: Tue, 11th Aug 2015 19:54    Post subject:
Finally started playing Baldurs gate 1 for the first time. lol wut


Spent an hour reading the manual first. and then half a day making chars until I decided to read up on the actual rulesets so I could build a proper char without trial an error.

My first mage had strength 3, so I couldn't even carry anything more than a quarterstaff and 1 health potion. Reaction

Couldn't even complete fetch quests in the prologue without dropping my weapon Aww Yeah

They should have included all the relevant stat and class bonuses and handicaps into the manual.

I can't even imagine how tedious it must have been trying to build a char in 1998 when internet was shit, unless you had a DnD ruleset book.

And don't even get me started on the reroll crap. Why is that even there. you just keep rolling until you get a high number anyways Laughing

Ended up with this half a day later.

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JBeckman
VIP Member



Posts: 34861
Location: Sweden
PostPosted: Tue, 11th Aug 2015 20:13    Post subject:
Heh, many of the earlier D&D 2nd edition games on PC and other platforms actually had a "modify" button so if you didn't get a good roll you could just manually alter every stat to 18 or what the respective racial cap or bonus would be. Very Happy
(Of course while stats helped in those earlier games too it didn't mean games like Krynn or Pool of Radiance - the early trilogy, not the later buggy game. - or Eye of the Beholder were all that easy with a party of all 18+ demigod heroes though, good equipment was critical and enemies usually attacked in large groups.)

Some of these older games were also more strict with rule implementation so spells like sleep or hold person were fatal to both you and enemies early on as attacks would instantly kill anyone with the "helpless" status no matter their hitpoints or equipment, even a 1hp damage dart from a mage would kill a fully armored opponent this way.

Friendly fire with spells could also be a problem as things like the relatively "simple" fireball spell could cover a huge area and then there's the deal with poison being instant death so wyvern groups and other encounters could quickly become a struggle.
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