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iPad or PC?

triscopictriscopic Member Posts: 2
in General Discussion (Spoiler Warning!)
It's been a long time since i last played either BG1 or BG2. I'm giving serious thought to picking up these new EE versions and playing it all over again, but I'm not sure what device to do so on. I assume there's no modding sport for the iPad versions (I loved the idea of Baldur's Gate Complete and a few other mods) and I haven't seen any advice on how to import your character over from the first game into the second on the iPad either so I wonder if that's also not doable. On the other hand the convenience of having the game on a tablet can't be understated and since the price basically he same once you pick up the extra characters it's a tough call.

I wonder what people who have played the games think? Are the controls on the iPad any good? Will I be happier in the long term if I buy the PC version? Or should I wait until he games come up in the steam sale at half price and buy them on both platforms? ;-)

Comments

  • HeindrichHeindrich Member, Moderator Posts: 2,959
    PC, definitely.

    Ipad is a bit more buggy (at present), less mod friendly and most importantly... tedious.

    I find my gameplay slows to about 1/2 to 1/3 of my PC speed, which was never that fast, but micromanaging positioning can be a pain. The general level of my tactical gameplay drops too.

    Ipad is probably okay if u plan to play solo games most of the time.
  • SkaffenSkaffen Member Posts: 709
    Heindrich is absolutely right. Let's hope the bugs get fixed quickly. Also character transfer is possible (you have to push from BG1to 2 due to ipad architectural constraints) and even limited modding is possible

    http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/11292/import-character-from-bg-ee-to-bg-ee-ii-on-ipad

    http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/16695/amazing-discovery-overriding-cre-files-without-override-folder-and-jailbreak

    but anything above a solo or duo run is just to painful from a micromanagement perspective. There is no way to rotate the party formation so to run and position you have to click each individual character. I feel like I have 2 left hands on the platform since I usually use keyboard shortcuts...

    I still bought the ipad version of both games for solo runs which work ok.
  • CrevsDaakCrevsDaak Member Posts: 7,155
    Well, if you jailbreak your iPad you have the same customizing options (except for custom portraits).
  • TwaniTwani Member Posts: 640
    Mods win any day for me, so I would always choose the PC version. IPad it's very hard to play a full party on, anyway: three characters is about the most I can play confidently on the IPad without getting them slaughtered, and I'd like to think I'm pretty good at this game. I just find the controls kind of clunky.
  • the_spyderthe_spyder Member Posts: 5,018
    I gotta agree that PC is the way to go if you only are going to have it on one platform. Aside from stability, MODS are a significant part of the game and will make you very happy that you chose that path, even if you aren't a big MOD guy. The opportunity trumps anything else.

    Don't get me wrong, I am waiting for the Android version for my second purchase. But I would be lying if I said that the PC wasn't 'The definitive version' in my mind.
  • meaglothmeagloth Member Posts: 3,806
    CrevsDaak said:

    Well, if you jailbreak your iPad you have the same customizing options (except for custom portraits).

    @crevsdaak, I don't think you where very clear. He meant that with a jailbreak you can get mods and such, except for custom portraits, for which you need no jailbreak. It's actually very easy. (I have custom on my iPad and still haven't figured out how to get them on the PC. This is cause I'm slow and have the App Store version, not becuase it's hard.)
    I really like the iPad, I play on the mini and it's smooth and the mini fits in mt coat pocket, so I can pretty much take bg1&2 wherever I go. (Not school. I would never ever play computer games at school:P) but it does take som patience, and the game was intended for a mouse and keyboard and monitor, not a 7 inch screen, so it is a little better on the computer. (But no one saves over my quicksaves on the pass code locked iPad :)

  • CrevsDaakCrevsDaak Member Posts: 7,155
    @meagloth agreed!
  • ShinShin Member Posts: 2,344
    Definitely PC. The way I see it, portability would never be worth the reduction in immersion and over-all experience that comes from clunkier controls, smaller screen, worse sound and above all loss of control of your game.
  • atcDaveatcDave Member Posts: 2,393
    I've played both versions all the way through. The PC version is a little more polished, a little easier to deal with. Especially if you want to use any mods! Even EEKeeper is easier to use on the PC (the iPad requires opening the files up on your PC to even use EEKeeper!)

    Obviously the iPad offers unparalleled portability. If you want to play in the lunch room at work, or while waiting at the dentists office, the iPad is hard to beat!
  • triscopictriscopic Member Posts: 2
    Ok, thanks for the interesting and helpful responses. I think I'll get the PC versions after all. I'm on holiday at the mo with only an iPad and was thinking about getting the iPad versions to keep me entertained, but now I think I'll be happier long term if I wait.
  • mumumomomumumomo Member Posts: 635
    IPAD version is running great.
    I find the touchscreen very satisfying but that maybe because i play only solo or duo (i find more to be unbearable even on PC).

    My advice : get both. The ipad version is worth like 15$.
  • jackjackjackjack Member Posts: 3,251
    I own both and honestly, I would recommend PC to anyone who wants to pick between the two. I enjoy being able to transfer my saves back and forth, playing away from home, etc. but the iPad version still needs some work, (it's gotten better).
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