Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

"I only wish I could be playing it right now..."

And so the world spins on and I become more and more desperate. To my left is Minsc with his mighty warrior spirit desperately trying to carve up a slice of red dragon meat. To my right is a weird bearded elf who shoots out red beams from his fingertips and doing little damage. I use my new skills to unleash a barrage of fury onto the dragon but my lightning fast fists do almost nothing. The dragon roars and blows us away. We all quickly rush back into the fight, perhaps we need to refine our strategy.
If only life was like Baldurs Gate 2. I just cannot get enough. The world spins but I do not notice. I hear ghostly voices yelling my name, hoping that I'll go back to their pitiful excuse for a world. But I MUST kill that annoying dragon. If only I went on that other quest before I got here and got that legendary weapon everyone is talking about. Alas, I must fight onward. I've only slept 15 hours this weak and although my body is exhausted, my finger still clicks.

Sorry for the weird story. But Baldurs Gate is GREAT! I was in my library one day, a storm outside. A strange hooded figure walks in and sits beside me. ''I wish I knew what computer game to get'' I spoke out loud to what I thought was an empty room. ''Buy Baldurs Gate 2'' said the figure dryly and coldly. Then the guy left. I'll try anything once and I'm glad I did! The first three hours I spent learning the basics, you must be dedicated to even attempt to be dedicated to this game. Don't take that lightly, it was almost a nightmare at first. ''My character isn't moving and is encumbered? What does THAT mean?'' you might even learn something. ''Why are my spells grey, I'm a wizard for Bhaals sake! It took me many many hours to get out of Irenicus's dungeon. But I was so proud of myself when I finally did. This game brings my happiness meter to a 10.

Sound: Sound is not crucial. But it is important and vital when utilized properly. I have a great computer and therefor can't complain of any sound/graphics/whatnot problems (so keep that in mind). The sound carries well to my ears. You actually feel that there are many people around you in the cities from all the background diologue(even if there aren't any people at all). The forests are full of the sounds of those darned birds and animals (of course those birds and animals can be found someplace in the forest as well) that the druids love so much. The voice acting, however, truly brings the EXPERIENCE of the game alive. All your party members feel as if they are real. They all have speach and romances between you and the characters can occur. The voice acting is fairly funny, for instance an attacking vampire might say ''be proud, for you shall feed me'' before attacking. The sounds actually made me laugh (Minsc of course), now thats good! If only the characters talked more, they could become annoying when you select and move them, but this is easily fixable in the options menu section. Did I mention the battle music, everyone who talks about the sound of Baldurs Gate 2 will mention it, you rush into battle, the music suffice it to say is wonderful.

Graphics: Oh yes, for some weird reason people think graphics make a game. Although more important than sound, graphics only improves the enjoyment of the game. And once again Baldurs Gate 2 scores high here as well(jeez, I WANT TO PLAY IT NOW!...calm down...phew). Anyway, the graphics can be very good, but nowhere awesome. You'll find the dungeons very well detailed with skeletons on the ground and who knows what on the walls. All the sets could be like a frozen picture shot. I would of liked to see...moving trees for instance, popping lava, you know, an animated background. But, the graphics arent that important. Suffice it to say, the graphics of this game won't dissapoint.

Gameplay/Presentation: A metaphor of Baldurs Gate 2 would be: Baldurs Gate 2 is like a very complex math problem that is barely within your ascension. If you've never played a D&D game like this before, you will know what I'm talking about. Don't give up, like the solving of that math problem, you'll love it. The puzzles of the game are...wait? there are puzzles? No, there aren't really. You'll always know what to do in Baldurs Gate 2, its very simple, its mastering it thats the problem. Don't know what to do next? Just go to your easily accessible characters journal and you'll know. Once you get used to it, the layout is incredibly easily accessed and used. I gotta say also, the fat little book looked daunting when I got it. I'm ussually not into reading those manuals, (I don't need no stinkin manual!) but I really got into it (Volo and Elminster always lighten my mood). It details every spell, but not in exact detail to how they made it with this game. But this manual will teach a rookie the ropes VERY well.

Replayibility: Is it possible to play a game for over a year? YES! This game...GAME!? Its more like leading a double life! Would you replay a life? YES! You can choose from over 40 different types of people, ever want to be a wizard? Now you can be one and stop time, and summon demons to fight by your side and shoot missiles and...many more to mention (LOTS OF SPELLS!). Would you like to be an evil crazy half-orc barbarian dual wielding swords and axes and also many more to mention. Or perhaps a sneaky thief pickpocketing from your friendly merchant and sneaking invisibly past the enemy and disarming that ultra dangerous trap that just might kill you. Perhaps an archer, the sniper who's deadly with the bow. Or a combination Fighter/Mage/Theif. Maybe an elf or a gnome. Or a halfling theif like Bilbo Baggins? This game is replayable for years. This game will come to the party, but it will refuse to not dance with everyone there...10 times! You'll love it, just give it some time. Because from now on, this game will control and ultimately become your life till you finish it again and again and again. I feel ashamed at how many days I have robbed myself with this epic masterpiece.

Sound:9
Graphics:9
Gameplay/Presentation:10
Replayability:Can you say 12?
OVERALL SCORE: 10 (duh!)

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/26/02, Updated 02/26/02