Original BG movies vs new EE movies
ikonomov
Member Posts: 13
Less than an hour after writing a post http://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/41494/original-movies#latest to suggest that the original movies should be reintroduced into the game ATigersClaw wrote a reply disagreeing with my view. I believe that making this change is an obvious design decision that can benefit the game, and in hope to have a more active discussion and not let the issue settle to oblivion I propose a poll. Please vote!
- Original BG movies vs new EE movies59 votes
- Original BG movies62.71%
- New EE movies37.29%
1
Comments
http://www.shsforums.net/topic/55573-mod-bg-ee-classic-movies/
Beregost - At most what it does is provide atmosphere for an area that doesn't have much plot significance.
Nashkel - I'm trying to remember if you encounter any evidence that kobolds are in the town itself. Some vague farmers comments is about all I can remember. Not enough to base a video on.
Flooded Cloakwood mine - I prefer the EE one
Tavern - I've seen this one online, but I don't know where its actually used in the original game. You don't get it when you sleep in taverns. At least not in BG1. Either way I'm not really a fan.
The palace - What it is showing is inconsistent with what the game shows the palace looks like (particularly regarding the location of trees and grass). This has always bugged me
The palace basement - 20 seconds to point out that there is treasure in the basement. Its also unnecessary with the advent of the tab key.
Werewolf island - Its replacement isn't great but this one really was showing its age and its still an improvement.
Durlag's tower- Looked too dated. Plus honestly Durlag's doesn't need the help to seem terrifying, the battle horrors you encounter outside probably will give people that picture anyways.
http://forums.pocketplane.net/index.php?topic=29319.0
It's also available for BGEE as part of the Classic Movies mod.
http://www.shsforums.net/topic/55573-mod-bg-ee-classic-movies/
I think the intro and final movies in BG2 are fantastic and I wouldn't want them changed. But the small CG parts in the original game like the intro to the friendly arm and bergust look better and more classy with Beamdog's artwork.
They have cool artwork that is nice and clean because it is done with modern resolutions in mind but Beamdog's animation leaves much to be desired and does not have the quality of true CG. I have seen similar animation for other indie titles that were done by mod teams like STALKER Lost Alpha and they are poor quality as well. The intro to BG1 is cheezy compared to the original in my opinion.
I'm torn on this issue. On one hand, I feel that the original BG1 videos seem very outdated on the surface, but on the other, I think that they may have been better at accomplishing their goals. For example, the original intro video for BG1 gives you more time to empathize with the character's situation and listen to what he has to say (the "ThereareothersIcanshowyouplease!" from BG:EE is just ridiculous).
I also wish that Beamdog had either redone or kept in the videos for Nashkel and Cloakwood forests, since they help to lend an ominous atmosphere to your entrance to those areas.
Incidentally, for anyone who wants to refresh their memories, this video gives a rundown and comparison of the cutscenes for both games.
Also, I had forgotten that there were videos for the Gnoll Stronghold and the BG sewers - damn, those were both creepy!
1) I don't remember the Bhaal video at all. Was it in BG or BG2? I know the one with the tents is from BG2, because that's Trademeet. The Dungeon one reminds me of The Seven Suns, and I don't remember that one, either. I do remember the "Night becomes day/Day becomes Night videos" and how annoying they were when your characters were awake in the city for 12+ hours at a time...
2) I liked the original Nashkel video. Even if the Kobolds aren't in the town, it provides you a hint at what's coming (and gives a sense of menace towards the girl and farmwife). Same for the Wyvern video, which played in Cloakwood Forest.
3) I agree about the opening video. The original one makes you feel much more for the poor schlub being murdered. Sarevok looks like an undead creature in the original one (Battle Horror, maybe?). In the EE video, he more resembles an Ogre.
4) The figure to the right of the crumbling Sarevok statue resembles Imoen in the original video cutscene.
3D renders. I am also quite delighted my vote brought the poll to a perfect 50%-50%
Like @meagloth said, having CGI gets a storytelling point and position across better. Plus, the music helps with tone. And having a smooth CGI transition is a lot better than simply changing the focus of a static art splashpage.
For the comparison of the Ending Movie (8:50 point in the video), you see how badly the artwork compares against the smooth transition of camera-work in a CGI representation. It's a bit nitpicky, but even for how old BG1 is, that original End Movie has a lot better feel to it than rotating an art piece around.
Not to mention the hamfisted, so-obvious-you-can't-miss-it Bhaal symbol at the bottom of Ye Olde Matrix Bodyfarm Cylinder. In the original it's a little less so.
Beamdog's artwork is nice and very crisp, but it isn't the best pick for scenes that are transmitting story + tone. I get that they wanted to have their own take/signature in the game, but maybe it would have been better to simply remake the cutscenes for a more fluid presentation.
I think the new ones set a different mood than the old ones. That's fine. For me i just miss the nostalgic movies; i played with them for over 15 years.
I like the style of the enhanced movies and it's interesting how they would depict the events after the Sarevok's fall.