The music. It's epic and pays homage to the original soundtrack.
The artistic style of the zones.
Much improved writing compared to older EE content (it still can be improved, however).
Of course, the swapping between two-handers and sword and board was much appreciated.
Combat is fun and players with well built parties are rewarded. (Contrast that with BG2 SoA where many of the hard fights like Kangaxx, beholders, etc, require gimmicky strategies).
I like that the Beamdog team are incredibly patient and reasonable with their critics; even when I sometimes would personally think they're wrong to do so, I still admire it.
I like all the EE characters to a greater or lesser degree and find them all in the upper tier of well-written NPCs in the series.
Their patching may be slow, but it is thorough and they've taken great strides to make the process of it open and transparent.
Ultimately, they seem like good people and I wish all of them the best.
The fact that my old companions are walking and talking with new banters.
That I can recruit more companions earlier in the game is great as well. It always annoyed me that you had to wait for a very long time for some of them in BG 1. Makes it easier to get who you want and the rest will hang around in camp.
Fitting music that fits well with the rest of the saga.
And now also that shield and bow thing I didn't know about. Sod needs a did you know thread.
I have thoroughly enjoyed SoD! My love for M'khiin is hard to express in words - fantastic character! Pleeeeeeaaaaseeee make her available for BG2! And since I'm also a forum junkie I've realized I've missed a load of hidden stuff, so now it's time for the next playthrough.
Corwin is also a really nice addition. (I haven't played with Glint or Voghlin yet)
And even though the games have a few bugs, I actually enjoy finding them, reporting them and seeing them fixed! Every bug found and squashed is an achievement worth more than the Steam achievments And the Redmine bug reporting works excellent. Only wish the open beta had started earlier.
On my wishlist is still a tanky evil NPC and a pure (or dualled) good/neutral cleric
And the "Create party" option for single player is awesome!
I think the biggest compliment I can say to beamdog is that I think they are showing progress. They definitely got off to a shaky start with the initial EE release, but the continued support they have shown the games is great, and SoD, although not perfect, is a step in the right direction especially in terms of area design. I cant comment on the writing too much yet as I'm not playing through SoD just yet, but its seems they have also improved in this area and now with people like david gaider on the team, I expect it to improve further still.
Even if it is slow, I think the company should take a lot of heart in the fact they do seem to be progressing. BG3 or a D&D game similar to Baldurs Gate may be a long way off, but it does not feel like a pipe dream anymore.
Well said. SoD is on a par with BG1 -- while there are some weak individual encounters over the course of the game, it held my interest and felt like an organic continuation of the BG1 story. Given how much Beamdog's original content has improved from the Enhanced Edition releases to SoD, it's possible to imagine BG3 reaching the very high bar of BG2-level content, which would be great both in its own right and to get D&D and the Forgotten Realms back into the CRPG spotlight.
The way I can play my beloved games whenever I am holed up in a hotel somewhere, or even on a long train trip is really nice.
The items presented in SoD are interesting enough that I started a new playthrough just to see how the classes previously ignored (bard, monk) work now they have got some love.
The goblin shaman is so well done! She does suffer a bit from Torment-esque fixed sprites, but nothing that can't be overlooked.
Switching sword and shield to bow was so impossible that I did not even try it, must also try bow and two weapons.
Now if only there were a few more bards (preferably neutral female) and a certain recruitable Tiefling npc from another Infinity engine game, it would be absolute bliss.
SOD is a fantastic game. You guys did great with the new NPC companions. I'm so addicted, that I've already beaten it twice and on my 3rd play through with cheats. I can't wait what you guys have in store for BG2 expansion.
I know I'm late to the party here, but I can't resist saying I think Beamdog did an amazing job making a game in the middle of 2 others. Just think of all the things that can't be done because it will interfere/ conflict / etc with whats coming up in BG2. And the fact that we, the fans, have this site to interact with. Great job!
Glint is amazing and well-written, and I'm sad I can't have him in BGII:EE.
Corwin is a well-written, rounded Lawful Good character--which is a rare feat.
Beamdog did well with their characterization of Khalid.
Overall, I have been really pleased to get to play Baldur's Gate again, this time on my tablet. Unlike in the past, where I was chained to a PC at a desk, now I can take it anywhere - and I have. Kudos to Beamdog for bringing these games to mobile devices - and for making them perform as well as they do on them.
I haven't finished SoD yet, so my views may change, but so far I have also really liked the art direction, music, and general atmosphere of the game. While I would have liked a more open Baldur's Gate, I get that SoD is, more or less, the BG equivalent of ToB. (At least it has felt that way so far)
Still, seeing the visual effects of heated air rising off the lava during the prologue, the soft lighting effects in one of the "You have been waylaid" caverns, the mist in the ancient library, etc. are stunning. It really added that extra oomph you didn't even realize was missing. It's a beautiful game so far.
While I was less enthusiastic about having to start all over with a new party, I will also say that I have really enjoyed some of the new NPCs - and in particular, the new banters and non-modal banter styles. I always hated that the old banters would often interrupt play to make you hit a button. This new style in SoD feels much more natural and really adds a lot to the game.
It makes me almost sad to read that Beamdog has seemingly given up on making any new content for the infinity engine, as it is clear that this updated engine is still capable of great story telling. I have been amazed at how well these games run on a tablet, and how once I got into the swing of things, the physical machine disappeared as the story emerged. It's far better than almost anything else available for mobile - especially for Android (which is a vast wasteland).
The better enemy AI made fights more fun in general (and convinced me to give SCS a try, I'll see how it turns out) and I just like the list of enemies you fight in SoD more than in BG1. I liked most of the story, while I was worried after reading some reviews those worries were thankfully mostly unfounded. All the SoD-only characters turned out to be pretty cool with M'Khiin and Voghiln in particular being both entertaining and belonging to useful kits of classes I normally avoid. The final boss fight was also one of the most satisfying boss fights I've had in a while.
So, yeah, despite being just an expansion it turned out to be a lot more fun than I was expecting and I won't be doing full runs in the future without it.
I didn't like that Duke Silvershield was back because it cheapened the effects of the original game's story and that the first game's adventure had real high stakes and consequences on the city. I thought the Inclusion of Skie was fine but her celebrity status could have been enough for the city to condem you and the soul taker plot hole didn't need to be there. If it were to be finished via DLC then that would help. I think Irenicus showed up a little more than he needed to and there was a lack of branching story options due to development time and money constraints.
You might be thinking "why is he listing things he doesn't like"? Because it's easier to say what I don't like. I love the rest of the game. I think 85% of the game is very good and I like everything about it that I didn't list. It's got good graphics and music, decent NPC's and a story that guides you through the old Bhaal temple and across the legendary bridge while filling in holes about Serevok's sword and the crew he was running with. All the while giving you a new adventure with a interesting protagonist that leads you to some cool places in the Forgotten Realms setting.
The gamplay is new and well balanced but still feels like a part of the Baldur's Gate experience as a whole. It has large mob battles but doesn't lose the special feel that encounters have in the Baldur's Gate series. (As apposed to trash mobs in Icewind Dale) I play SOD every time I play through the Baldur's Gate game series and I think it's more fun than most modern RPG's that I have played over the last decade. POE is the closest thing to a modern Baldur's Gate but SOD actually delivered more of the old school game that I love. I paid a pretty penny for the Collectors Edition of SOD and consider it money well spent. I'm very glad I got to experience SOD and consider it a welcome addition to the Baldur's Gate game series.
I've only done the starting dungeon and the part before you leave the city until now, but I've already noticed something very nice that I missed a lot, especially for a paladin: The possibility to arrest people, or rather tell them to turn themselves in to the authorities, instead of just killing them all or having to let them get away.
I’m pleased with the new npcs you find in BGEE and BGEE2 i.e. Dorn, Hexxat, Neera, Baeloth, Wilson and Rasaad. For once the evil characters are REALLY evil - so evil in fact in BG2EE that I can never stomach bringing them along, which is a good thing. Also their side quests are very in depth, which makes them worth trying and add to the overall experience. I’m also pleased that we can use Bg1 NPCs like Safana, Khalid and Dynaheir in SOD, and they are given the chance to really breathe as characters...it’s a shame that they all snuff it in BG2 eventually
I really like SoD and am very glad it exists. Whenever I play it, it feel like a notch up in quality from the original game in many ways. I like how it manages to integrate memorable sidequests with an urgent and fairly linear plot. It feels like IWD done right. Fighting the green dragon with a low level party is one of my more memorable BG moments, as is the quest with the Dwarven lich.
I really like the kit-specific equipment. It's such a great way to address balance issues without tampering with the base mechanics.
What I don't like is the general dislike that people seem to have towards SoD. I never understood it myself. I remember there being some sort of a controversy when it came out, but I can't remember what it was about...
[Googles Siege of Dragonspear controversy]
Oh, apparently there was a minor NPC that identifies as transgender and people took it as LGBT tokenism. Oh for the love of Lathander... Don't tell me this is what got people up in arms
BG2, if you import, you lose your stuff. HotU, if you import, you lose your stuff.
SoD, if you import, you keep your stuff! So long as it wasn't in a container, anyway.
That's one thing I like about SoD.
You can find your stuff in a chest in the lower caves in undermountain in HotU near the end of act 1. They teleport it to that chest if i remember correctly, it's just never made obvious so you can miss out.
I like that you lose your stuff in BG2 personally, but that's because I enjoy re-equipping my party.
Yeah, I like the fact you permanently lose your stuff between BG1 and 2...there is a lot of junk at the end of BG1 that we don’t need, and starting from scratch is indeed fun.
I really like SoD and am very glad it exists. Whenever I play it, it feel like a notch up in quality from the original game in many ways. I like how it manages to integrate memorable sidequests with an urgent and fairly linear plot. It feels like IWD done right. Fighting the green dragon with a low level party is one of my more memorable BG moments, as is the quest with the Dwarven lich.
I really like the kit-specific equipment. It's such a great way to address balance issues without tampering with the base mechanics.
What I don't like is the general dislike that people seem to have towards SoD. I never understood it myself. I remember there being some sort of a controversy when it came out, but I can't remember what it was about...
[Googles Siege of Dragonspear controversy]
Oh, apparently there was a minor NPC that identifies as transgender and people took it as LGBT tokenism. Oh for the love of Lathander... Don't tell me this is what got people up in arms
wore part is people are still complaining about it. rpg codex and gog stilll hate beamdog for ruining their games and you can't go on youtube to look for reviews about sod with out hearing about the drama.
I generally avoid the romances is Baldur's Gate because I find them cringeworthy but I really enjoyed the Corwin romance. It was very well written and I thought it added a lot to the scenario.
Comments
The music. It's epic and pays homage to the original soundtrack.
The artistic style of the zones.
Much improved writing compared to older EE content (it still can be improved, however).
Of course, the swapping between two-handers and sword and board was much appreciated.
Combat is fun and players with well built parties are rewarded. (Contrast that with BG2 SoA where many of the hard fights like Kangaxx, beholders, etc, require gimmicky strategies).
I like all the EE characters to a greater or lesser degree and find them all in the upper tier of well-written NPCs in the series.
Their patching may be slow, but it is thorough and they've taken great strides to make the process of it open and transparent.
Ultimately, they seem like good people and I wish all of them the best.
That I can recruit more companions earlier in the game is great as well. It always annoyed me that you had to wait for a very long time for some of them in BG 1. Makes it easier to get who you want and the rest will hang around in camp.
Fitting music that fits well with the rest of the saga.
And now also that shield and bow thing I didn't know about. Sod needs a did you know thread.
My love for M'khiin is hard to express in words - fantastic character! Pleeeeeeaaaaseeee make her available for BG2!
And since I'm also a forum junkie I've realized I've missed a load of hidden stuff, so now it's time for the next playthrough.
Corwin is also a really nice addition. (I haven't played with Glint or Voghlin yet)
And even though the games have a few bugs, I actually enjoy finding them, reporting them and seeing them fixed! Every bug found and squashed is an achievement worth more than the Steam achievments
And the Redmine bug reporting works excellent. Only wish the open beta had started earlier.
On my wishlist is still a tanky evil NPC and a pure (or dualled) good/neutral cleric
And the "Create party" option for single player is awesome!
Even if it is slow, I think the company should take a lot of heart in the fact they do seem to be progressing. BG3 or a D&D game similar to Baldurs Gate may be a long way off, but it does not feel like a pipe dream anymore.
Good luck guys
The items presented in SoD are interesting enough that I started a new playthrough just to see how the classes previously ignored (bard, monk) work now they have got some love.
The goblin shaman is so well done! She does suffer a bit from Torment-esque fixed sprites, but nothing that can't be overlooked.
Switching sword and shield to bow was so impossible that I did not even try it, must also try bow and two weapons.
Now if only there were a few more bards (preferably neutral female) and a certain recruitable Tiefling npc from another Infinity engine game, it would be absolute bliss.
for sod; it makes the story more complete and i don't see me doing a full saga run with out it.
Corwin is a well-written, rounded Lawful Good character--which is a rare feat.
Beamdog did well with their characterization of Khalid.
I haven't finished SoD yet, so my views may change, but so far I have also really liked the art direction, music, and general atmosphere of the game. While I would have liked a more open Baldur's Gate, I get that SoD is, more or less, the BG equivalent of ToB. (At least it has felt that way so far)
Still, seeing the visual effects of heated air rising off the lava during the prologue, the soft lighting effects in one of the "You have been waylaid" caverns, the mist in the ancient library, etc. are stunning. It really added that extra oomph you didn't even realize was missing. It's a beautiful game so far.
While I was less enthusiastic about having to start all over with a new party, I will also say that I have really enjoyed some of the new NPCs - and in particular, the new banters and non-modal banter styles. I always hated that the old banters would often interrupt play to make you hit a button. This new style in SoD feels much more natural and really adds a lot to the game.
It makes me almost sad to read that Beamdog has seemingly given up on making any new content for the infinity engine, as it is clear that this updated engine is still capable of great story telling. I have been amazed at how well these games run on a tablet, and how once I got into the swing of things, the physical machine disappeared as the story emerged. It's far better than almost anything else available for mobile - especially for Android (which is a vast wasteland).
So, yeah, despite being just an expansion it turned out to be a lot more fun than I was expecting and I won't be doing full runs in the future without it.
You might be thinking "why is he listing things he doesn't like"? Because it's easier to say what I don't like. I love the rest of the game. I think 85% of the game is very good and I like everything about it that I didn't list. It's got good graphics and music, decent NPC's and a story that guides you through the old Bhaal temple and across the legendary bridge while filling in holes about Serevok's sword and the crew he was running with. All the while giving you a new adventure with a interesting protagonist that leads you to some cool places in the Forgotten Realms setting.
The gamplay is new and well balanced but still feels like a part of the Baldur's Gate experience as a whole. It has large mob battles but doesn't lose the special feel that encounters have in the Baldur's Gate series. (As apposed to trash mobs in Icewind Dale) I play SOD every time I play through the Baldur's Gate game series and I think it's more fun than most modern RPG's that I have played over the last decade. POE is the closest thing to a modern Baldur's Gate but SOD actually delivered more of the old school game that I love. I paid a pretty penny for the Collectors Edition of SOD and consider it money well spent. I'm very glad I got to experience SOD and consider it a welcome addition to the Baldur's Gate game series.
SoD, if you import, you keep your stuff! So long as it wasn't in a container, anyway.
That's one thing I like about SoD.
I really like the kit-specific equipment. It's such a great way to address balance issues without tampering with the base mechanics.
What I don't like is the general dislike that people seem to have towards SoD. I never understood it myself. I remember there being some sort of a controversy when it came out, but I can't remember what it was about...
[Googles Siege of Dragonspear controversy]
Oh, apparently there was a minor NPC that identifies as transgender and people took it as LGBT tokenism. Oh for the love of Lathander... Don't tell me this is what got people up in arms
You can find your stuff in a chest in the lower caves in undermountain in HotU near the end of act 1. They teleport it to that chest if i remember correctly, it's just never made obvious so you can miss out.
I like that you lose your stuff in BG2 personally, but that's because I enjoy re-equipping my party.
wore part is people are still complaining about it. rpg codex and gog stilll hate beamdog for ruining their games and you can't go on youtube to look for reviews about sod with out hearing about the drama.
Well, if you insist. Beamdog won't make another SoD.
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