Cons: not the best graphics, takes a while to figure out the controls
The Bottom Line: Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn is a truly exceptional CRPG with immersive gameplay, an engaging storyline, and character development that will easily satisfy the inner Gary Gygax in anyone.
marcusaurelius's Full Review: Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
(NOTE: This is a [slightly modified] reprint of a review I wrote many months ago on this site but shortly thereafter deleted.)
Where should I begin? This game was one of the most talked-about CRPGs (computer role-playing games, for all you novices) of 2000 and 2001 -- and for very good reason. There are simply so many positive elements to it. What follows is just a few of the reasons why this is hands down one of the best CRPGs of the past several years.
Character Creation
I could easily write an entire article on the complexity of character creation. But, alas, that is not my purpose here. Needless to say, there are an almost innumerable number of ways for you to customize your character. From choosing your character portrait to distributing stat points to choosing what spells you have in your spellbook, there are many ways for you to make the character you ultimately choose one that is undeniably unique and distinctly representative of your fantastical alter ego. For all those of you who get tired of dealing with the same three stereotypical character types in every other traditional CRPG (fighter, archer, wizard -- or some spinoff of that), fear not: diversity of character development is not one of Baldur's Gate 2's weaknesses.
The Plot
The story begins when you awaken within the dungeon of a powerful archmage (read: really kick-@ss wizard dude) by the name of Jon Irenicus, a man (or is he?) interested -- make that obsessed -- in exploiting your heritage as one of the offspring of the dead god of murder, Bhaal. He informs you that you have much "untapped potential" and that the pain of his twisted experiments "will only be fleeting". After that, he leaves you suddenly to tend to an unexpected disturbance, and you are freed from your cage (literally) by one of your companions from the original Baldur's Gate, Imoen. After you leave your cell, you also have the option of freeing two other companions from BG1 and picking up one character entirely new to BG2. Once you've decided whom you want to take along with you and whom you want to ditch, you make your way out of Irenicus's dungeon.
This initial dungeon is probably the slowest part of the entire game, so don't think that this one area is entirely representative of what awaits you ahead. After your party has made its way to the surface, you are confronted by Irenicus; seeing no other way to get by, Imoen attacks him. He retaliates, and soon the Cowled Wizards -- the enforcers of Amn's ban on magic usage -- appear in order to quell the dispute. As a result of this, Irenicus and Imoen are taken into custody by the Cowled Wizards, leaving you short one mage and angered at the loss of a close friend (or, depending on your disposition, enlivened at the thought of no longer having to be accompanied by one so perpetually giddy). After they are taken away, the real adventure becomes apparent to you as a seemingly endless cavalcade of diverse characters come to you asking for your assistance -- a dramatic change from BG1 when you were the one asking everyone else for help.
Since I don't want to spoil any more of the adventure for those of you out there who haven't yet played this game, I'll drop the storyline here and move on to the other elements that compose BG2.
Learning Curve
This is one of those games that you don't just jump right into -- that is, unless you really enjoy being bludgeoned to death by any and every thug and vagabond you come across in the course of your adventures. If you haven't played any Black Isle CRPGs before, then I definitely recommend that you play the tutorial before you venture into the game itself. Nonetheless, once you've become accustomed to the collapsible control panel and the numerous hotkeys, you'll find that the gameplay is actually quite accessible and that much of it is instinctual.
Replay Value
Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn is one of those games that you'll find yourself returning to again and again. There are so many different plot twists and multiple endings (referring to the sidequests) within the course of the game that you'll find your curiosity irrepressibly and indefinitely piqued. Many times I found myself reloading to the moment right before a certain important event in order to choose a different response so that I could see whether or not events would have transpired differently. On one or two rare occasions, all the dialogue options lead to the same result; but generally speaking, choosing even a slightly different approach in your conversation can dramatically change the outcome of any given encounter. Another factor that contributes to the encounters you'll face is your lead character's charisma -- the attribute measuring leadership skills, attractiveness, and overall persuasiveness. So make sure you don't splurge all your stat points on other seemingly more important stats like dexterity and constitution. Lastly, with 80-100 hours of play for the main storyline and at least an equal amount of time for the side quests, this is one game that will keep its place on your hard drive for months, if not years, to come.
Graphics
If there's one thing that BG2 can be seriously faulted with, it's the graphics engine that it uses. Don't get me wrong, though; the graphics are good. They just aren't at the stratospheric level of everything else within the game. But considering the fact that this is the same game engine that was used for the original 1999 Baldur's Gate, it's no surprise that the animations aren't quite groundbreaking or earthshattering (though many of the backgrounds and spell effects are particularly visually pleasing). Still, the true measure of any great CRPG is NOT found in its graphics engine, but in its story, as BG2 goes on to point out to any doubters of the game's attributes.
Sounds And Music
The sound effects for BG2 are standard fare when it comes to CRPGs; they're decent and serve their purpose, but they really aren't anything out of the ordinary. The voice acting, however, most assuredly is. From the first word uttered in the prologue to the last word of the epilogue, the voice acting in BG2 (as in all Black Isle-produced CRPGs) is wonderfully sumptuous. The quiet, controlled menace of Jon Irenicus (here played by David Warner) convincingly conveys his loathing for all living things and his desire to be rid of the curse placed upon him. Likewise, the voice of Minsc -- one of the funniest characters in any game I've ever played -- is quite over-the-top and ridiculous in its portrayal of the crazy but ultimately good-hearted ranger. In short, the voice acting is something not to be soon forgotten.
The music within BG2 is easily on the same level as the voice acting. For every occasion, there is a different tune to accompany your adventuring and romancing. (Believe it or not, the romance -- yes, i said romance -- dialogues have music all their own.) The battle music is suitably rousing and tempestuous, while the tavern melodies are convincing enough to make you think you'll be served by a tavern wench any time soon. I can guaranatee you that you'll not turn the volume to mute in this game -- unless you just hate traditional high fantasy CRPG music anyway.
Conclusion
Well, if I haven't by now convinced you that this game is well worth your 50 bucks (or, more likely, 25 since it's been so long subsequent to its release), then I think it's time for you to go to your monthly Tightwads Anonymous meeting. Seriously though, BG2 won numerous awards for "CRPG of the Year" and "Game of the Year" from such noted online gaming sites as Game Spot and Daily Radar; and even if you don't respect my opinion, you have to admit that so many gaming publications can't all be wrong. So before the day comes to a close, do yourself a favor: Go out and buy Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn. You won't regret it.
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