BALDUR’S GATE GOODNESS
The majority of RPG
fans have already played the original Baldur’s Gate games. There is no
question, no debate; no doubt… these were some of the best video games ever.
Only two were made
with an expansion pack for each. Back when expansion packs meant a huge amount
of content to extend the game… opposed to the current definition of cut-content
already developed sold alongside the game to rip you off.
Despite raving reviews and a cult following,
the uncertainty of the gaming industry kept anymore from being made.
Eventually Dragon
Age: Origins was released as a “spiritual successor”, while a good game it took
over five years to develop and didn’t even come close to the scale or wonder or
adventure of the Baldur’s Gate games. And with the flop that was Dragon Age 2
it’s clear that Bioware (in its current form) is no longer aware of what made
their early games such a success or how to recreate said success. Basically
Dragon Age is a very poor candidate to be a successor at this point.
Enter Beamdog
& Overhaul Games companies made by a Bioware co-founder & lead
programmer, who apparently are also aware of Biowares inability to continue the
work of Baldur’s Gate. So they have taken it upon themselves to do what’s right…
to carry the torch.
So far they have
revamped the first Baldur’s Gate, combining the expansion with the base game, upgrading
the engine and resolution to that of the second game (something done before by
modders, but now integrated to save you from the fuss), added three new
characters with their own storylines, and fixed a plethora of bugs, giving you
the best experience in one attractive package.
Honestly? I think
this new company is worth giving a chance.
I’m sure most fans
already own a version of these games. The catch is buying old versions from random
sites on the internet (or just pirating it) ends up giving the money to anyone
but the creators of the game (or more importantly people who are trying to
improve the game). Overhaul Games is already working on the Enhanced Edition of
the Sequel and have stated that if sales are good they will FINALLY work on the
third installment (something that should have been made a decade ago). Better
late then never I say.
We are entering a
new age of gaming in which the gamers can directly fund the games they want
with their money, as opposed to giving a giant publisher (that did nothing on
the games themselves) the majority of the money, forcing the developers out of
business. For only $20 it’s very nice to be able to own the original Baldur’s
Gate with all the ground work of modding it done for you, also knowing that
you’re directly funding Baldur’s Gate 3!