I like Durlag's Tower more than Watcher's Keep just because the latter has an exit on every floor allowing for easy resting even without the Pocket Plane. Favourite would be all the Underdark ordeal, especially the Illithid part.
I like Durlag's Tower more than Watcher's Keep just because the latter has an exit on every floor allowing for easy resting even without the Pocket Plane. Favourite would be all the Underdark ordeal, especially the Illithid part.
Yeah, I forgot to mention the exit on every floor as another problem with Watcher's Keep. there's just no way to feel like you're descending into anything (like you do in Durlag's Tower) when you're above ground the whole time and there's a freaking exit on every floor. Still, there is a lot of content in Watcher's Keep and so, despite its flaws, it is a decent dungeon.
Also, if the whole Underdark ordeal can count as a dungeon, then it would be near the top of my list as well.
Ulcaster is not a hard dungeon in general, but it's extremely hard on low level when you have nothing that can harm those slimes. But the main reason I like Ulcaster so much is because it has a background and great atmosphere. I wandered around there, made my home there and asked myself questions like "What happened, really?". It's a sad tale of one of the better magical school and now it's just...gone.
Watcher's Keep just gets me because of the atmosphere. I couldn't care less about Marileths or whatever Pit Fiend wanders down there. Demogorgon and my player character could've been friends for all I care. Plus, the introduction to WK is just so...damn...cool.
As a kid I always liked the feel of Ulcaster. It had an awesome vibe to it. Though I will admit upon returning to it years later in a play through I was disappointed to find that there really isn't much there to do.
For me the only "real" dungeons in BG1 are arguably Durlag's tower and the Candlekeep catacombs (and maybe the ice island and Naskel mines). They're multi-map, underground and have a cohesive narrative. The Firewine ruins, Ulcaster and even the Undercity are all small, narrow and disjointed.
I appreciate that many people do not share my opinion, but I reckon BG2 had far better dungeon design throughout. They were easier to navigate, on average had more character and were better structured. It was one of the big improvements between the original and sequel.
All the mentioned dungeons are great (although I cant comment on durlags tower.. since I have not played it yet)... But I have not seen any one mention Upper and Lower Dorns Deep from IWD.. That tragic story really grips me when I play trough that area.. ofc I am a sucker for the dwarfs in fantasy settings.. so I might be rather biased..
All the mentioned dungeons are great (although I cant comment on durlags tower.. since I have not played it yet)... But I have not seen any one mention Upper and Lower Dorns Deep from IWD.. That tragic story really grips me when I play trough that area.. ofc I am a sucker for the dwarfs in fantasy settings.. so I might be rather biased..
The music in Dorn's Deep is unbelievably epic. As is the level design.
IWD overall had incredible aesthetic appeal for me
From a nostalgic point of view for me it was the Nashkel mine. What was great about it was not the complexity but the "newness" of it on my first play through. I kept getting killed until I started using strategy and learned to look for traps. In 1998 it was revolutionary and really WOWed me. Later dungeons and related games were great and I enjoyed them but it is hard to recapture that first experience. Since then nothing has came out that provided the same quantum leap forward that BG1 offered. Lots of good (and some bad) improvements since then but no quantum leaps, IMO.
Dorn's Deep, along with the Hand of the Seldarine warrant their own little shrine of worship. The storyline between those two places, the design, the tragedy, it's so awesome. I've rarely felt the rage I felt when I found out why everything happened as it did.
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I prefer outdoor adventuring, which is one reason I tend to prefer BG1 over BG2, not to say that I don't like both.
Good luck! Icewind Dale is a tough mistress!
Also, if the whole Underdark ordeal can count as a dungeon, then it would be near the top of my list as well.
I appreciate that many people do not share my opinion, but I reckon BG2 had far better dungeon design throughout. They were easier to navigate, on average had more character and were better structured. It was one of the big improvements between the original and sequel.
Also the Nashkel Mines. I thought I was in hell when I saw lava
IWD overall had incredible aesthetic appeal for me
Dorn's Deep, along with the Hand of the Seldarine warrant their own little shrine of worship. The storyline between those two places, the design, the tragedy, it's so awesome. I've rarely felt the rage I felt when I found out why everything happened as it did.
NYYYYYYYMMMMM!!
/shakes fist in rage