"Further proof that it's not "bad luck", but a conspiracy."

Baldur's Gate, released by Interplay. Based on a carefully thought-out gaming system. You can create a character, get NPCs, take quests, and there are all sorts of options in quests, such as good, evil, diplomat, warmonger, etc.

Sounds like a winning formula, eh? It worked for the two Fallouts. Unfortunately, it didn't work for Baldur's Gate.

First and foremost, they gaming system used is the Dungeons and Dragons system. Converting this to be used by a computer is difficult, as past attempts have shown, but converting it to real-time is just plain stupid.

You can't simply create a character. You have to assign classes, such as fighter, wizard, and the like. Instead of just assigning stats and developing your character to be a fighter or wizard, you get that immediate restriction. You also have to assign ''alignment''. You can start neutral if you like, as you should anyway, but you can also start at the extreme alignments. Basically, you get to cheat.

Gaining levels is nearly impossible. The experience cap means you get about 8 levels, max! You get about 50 XP from killing a regular enemy, with over 2,000 XP needed to reach level 2. It should be noted that gaining a single level means a whole lot more in Baldur's Gate than in most RPGs (such as Final Fantasy 7 or the like), but it's still annoying to be stuck on level 1 for 1/5 of the game.

The quests, while somewhat diverse, are restricted in a sense. When you are offered a quest, you get about four responses. You can accept the quest, reject the quest, say something off-topic, or leave the conversation. There is very little bargaining (e.g., ''I'll do what you ask, but for more money than that.''), and there are an unnecessarily huge number of ''fetch the item'' quests.

For a game that claims to be non-linear, there are a number of places where you can't avoid fights. In the second town, you are invariably approached by a man asking who you are, who is looking for you. If you respond by saying you are you, he attacks you. If you lie, he says liars must be punished and attacks you. If you say ''get out of my way!'' or somesuch, he says you are rude and must be punished. Then he attacks you. At that particular point in the game, it's nigh impossible to win the battle. The only strategy that worked for me was to run into the inn, get the next two NPCs, then come back out and fight him--losing an NPC or two in the process.

The voice acting is poor and unnecessary. The dialogue isn't bad, but it doesn't impress me either. The music and sound effects are adequate, and the graphics are nothing special (for when BG was released).

The storyline is a bit thin, but not entirely crappy. I won't give out any spoilers, but it has its moments.

Due to the restrictions, the replay value isn't as high as it could be. Not as low as some games, but not to the level of Fallout.

Now for nitpicking. The weapon and magic names are unimaginative. Names such as ''Long Sword +1'' and ''Magic Missile''. I mean, come on. What's wrong with ''Mithril Saber'' and ''Fireball'' instead? This isn't a pen-and-paper RPG, guys. Let's jazz it up a little.

Also, the case that the game CDs come in is large, cardboard, and awkward to carry and remove the CDs from. My second CD got scratched up by the case, so I shot it with one of my dad's guns. I haven't regretted it since. (Yes, I had his permission and supervision.)

If you disagree with me, I'll get your pet dog to bite you in the shins. I have my ways.

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 05/05/01, Updated 05/05/01