Now here is a gamer's game. Simply put, if I could give this game a physical embodiment, I would do so and them bow at and kiss it's beautiful, beautiful feet. And I bet they would be covered with some wicked item too. This is one of my favorite games. Why you ask, well I'll explain it to you, and to simplify that will split this review into several parts: gameplay, storyline, graphics, sound, and replay value.
Gameplay: 9.5
The great thing about Baldur's Gate II is that the playing style is extraordinarily adaptable, you can go from total control real-time fighting, to nearly automated turn-based fighting. Whatever fits your particular style or mood for the day. There can be up to six characters in your party, and the configurations are endless, depending on how you customize your party and their abilities and inventories.
The magic system is laudible and extensive, and although there are the occassional power styles that you can't do without (*cough* magicmissilespellsequencer *cough*), for the most part you play with whatever spells you want. I can't BEGIN to tell you how many guides I read saying, "and dont expect to get far in the game without using THIS spell" and then laughing at my beating the game on hard and never even looking at it.
And it improves upon the mistakes of the original - though those were few and far between. Just an example, in the original you could go into your inventory while paused. Arguably that was for realism, but then again how realistic is a party of heroes fighting against a red dragon? Right, so in BGII the light was seen and you can now pause in the inventory screen. So many little improvements like that make the game better without taking away what made it good. (*cough* diabloII *cough)
Storyline: 8.5
Now this aint no Robin Hobbes novel, but the plot can definitely hold its own. It has exquisite NPC's and a villain which - if nothing else - is intriguing. The storyline keeps you guessing, I had no idea what this guy was truly or after or why til the information was released seconds prior to an epic battle where you fight the man with a released army of psychotic released mage prisoners. (It was the most over the top battle Ive EVER fought). And the battles actually serve to tie the storyline together, not the other way around.
As I said, the characters are great, my personal favorite being Yoshimo. No, Imoen wasn't gone, but now she was slightly more optional and slightly less crucial - I hardly used her at all. There were annoying characters, but the more options than in the last game, and more versatility. And there were little added tidbits, for one you could get one of the female characters to fall for you. Yes, yes my PC got down and dirty with that little dewinged elf. Hahahaha, it was like daterape but better! (jk? gomgomgom)
In addition, it's notable to mention the new character types. I beat the game with a monk, and it was wicked awesome. In addition there were barbarians, sorcerors, and many many subclasses.
Graphics: 8.5
Not much to say here, the graphics were great. They weren't spectacular, but then again for this type of game its not necessary to see the sweat on Jon's nose at any given time. However it should be mentioned that the spell graphics were amazing, kudos to Black Isle for that.
Sound: 4.5
Blech, dullz0r. To be honest I heard the music, alt-tab'd the mother and put on winamp 3 faster than Jon could cast disintegration. There was voice acting, but it was (with the constant exception of Minsc, who made me cry when i finally had to make him leave my party) pretty... I don't think the words awful or abhorrent are nice... but well lets just say it as... lacking.
Replay Value: 10
You must be shocked... I gave a ten. I actually gave something the rating it deserves. Well yes, because the replay value on this game is above and beyond the call of duty. There are so many sidequests, so many items, so many choices you can make, and each of them with a different character type!!!! Just play the game and you'll understand I'm sure.
Overall Score: 9.5
A great game, overwhelmingly great - yet a ten would mean the second and/or first coming of the messiah!!! The points of is mostly due to the sound, but there are little mechanical problems to think of as well - few and far between of course. 9.5 folks, I'm out.
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