Baldur's Gate (PC DVD)

I have played these to death and every few years pick them up again and have another go. I would recommend you google, download and install some user modifications to play these games:
"bgtutu" allows you to play the original and expansion using the Baldur's Gate 2 game engine if you have it.
"bg1 unfinished business for tutu" and "unfinished business" adds content that was cut from the finished versions of both games. So without changing the feel of the games they are fleshed out a little.
"bg widescreen mod" allows the user to change the resolution to modern display resolutions.

You control a hero of the soldier/mage/ranger/healer variety using a point and click interface with an isometric view and 2D artwork. When you click on an enemy your character will auto swipe at them until they are no more. You can intervene with a pause button and a selection of special commands. During you journey you can seek the aid of upto 5 companions at a time. The world consists of a large number of countryside maps that reveal their neighbours when you reach the edges. You are free to wander

The map design is expertly made:
You start in a single area that will not open up to anywhere else until the plot is advanced.
The spine of the map contains a main quest and story.
The outer areas of the map are free to be explored or ignored at your leisure.
Special new areas are revealed in line with an advancement in plot.

To me this is the perfect map design. The first area gives you a chance to get to grips with the game. The spine gives you a tight script, direction and a world that you can affect. The outer fringes give you a sense of freedom and openness and a sense that the world carries on regardless of you. The introduced areas give you a sense of advancement and reduce the overwhelming size of the world to begin with.

You are given all the wonder of a fantasy book. You start off in a safe and stuffy environment with an urge for adventure. Disaster strikes you a left alone, confused and vulnerable. You have freedom but not daring to leave the path, you head for the one place you know that may provide safety. Companions join you which brings both relief and the conflicting feeling that you can't trust them. You eventually find companions you can trust and together you grow strong whilst chipping away at the strength of a slowly revealed enemy. At the same time you learn to rely on your companions and get involved in revealing banter....and you get the idea.

The game mechanics are fantastic.

In a classic party of six. The mage is unbelievably weak. One good shot from a bow and the mage could be in a critical condition. However if the mage pulls off a fireball uninterrupted they can cause devastation to a group of enemies. A warrior can hold off a group of enemies for the mage but their health will degrade and they require the aid of a cleric to keep them in battle. The warrior is also of low intelligence and susceptible to spells and traps. The cleric can buff the warrior and remove curses but a better option is to seek the support of a good rogue who can sneak and back stab a mage and seek and remove any traps. Do you want a beast of a barbarian who can cut foes in two with their huge sword or a virtuous paladin who improves the perception of your party to strangers? It is the weaknesses as well as the strengths that make a good party based game as it requires co operation between members. It is the options available that make the party yours. You cannot just pick and choose who you want either. Most characters have past relationships that come first or grievances. The party becomes less ideal as you take the characters into account and that brings it all the more to life.

For the large part you use standard equipment and magical weapons and such are rare. I don't want to find my millionth magical weapon in a fantasy game. I want my treasure to be treasured! Nor to I want several levels of sword.

The enemies are of a predictable difficulty to you along the main plot driven routes with a few nasty surprises to add to the sense of danger. Travel into the wilderness though and who knows what you will face. These areas become less of a worry to the experienced traveller but to become an experienced traveller you must venture into these areas. This type of world gives meaning to a levelling system.

**WHY ARE THERE NOT MORE GAMES LIKE THIS**

The game loses a star due to the availability of compilations of the complete series.

This series and Planescape: Torment stand out to me as major bench marks of good games. They have a intriguing overarching plot, exciting and thrilling side quests. The characters are both diverse and unique from the NPCs to your own companions, you'll find someone you like. And even if you wish to not carry on the story and instead muck about you can. Then be levelled up and powerful ready for next big mission.

The voice acting for such a vast game is amazing and some of the work really shines through. I first played this about seven years ago, and now seeing it again. I know what a gem it was and wish more games tried as hard as this did. And it even had a terrific sequel. So really this game is just a time we won't see for a long time. Most likely it was a Golden Age, thus won't be repeated. Which is why if you read this review, take my word on this being a masterpiece you should take.

This is genuinely one of my favourite games and is what got me into RPGs. I am a bit sad that I can't play my shiny new copy on my shiny new PC as it won't even install much less run on windows 7.