Skip to content

Console release reviews

JuliusBorisovJuliusBorisov Member, Administrator, Moderator, Developer Posts: 22,754
edited October 2019 in General Discussion (Spoiler Warning!)
The games release on Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One very soon.

Let's aggregate all reviews here.

https://www.psu.com/reviews/baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition-pack-ps4-review/

9.5/10 "A stunning re-release of a pair of genre titans, the Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition Pack is an eminently thoughtful and evocative reminder of just how good these RPGs were and how now, PS4 players can finally turn back the clock and see what all the fuss was about. Trust me, you won't regret it."

http://www.thexboxhub.com/the-baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition-pack-review/

4.5/5 "Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Editions restore two of the greatest role-playing video games to ever come out of the Dungeons & Dragons universe, all wrapped up in The Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition Pack on Xbox One. The enhancements and optimisations help these juggernaut adventures to once again reaffirm the same dominance they had two decades earlier. As far as RPGs go, it’s a wonder how well BioWare’s seminal classics remain the standard-bearer even after so many big releases over the decades. These games are reminders that while we may have bigger multiplayer servers and fancy 4K polygons now, at the end of the day even the biggest of AAA RPGs today really haven’t explored any new territory that Baldur’s Gate didn’t already chart."

https://www.psu.com/reviews/planescape-torment-icewind-dale-enhanced-edition-pack-ps4-review/

8.5/10 "A formidable twin-pack of classic RPGs guaranteed to wreck your social life, it's really the manifestation of Planescape: Torment on console for the first time which stands as the real highlight - bringing its stellar writing, extraordinary setting and deep characters to a whole new audience. This twin pack is a must-have for fans of RPGs everywhere."

https://www.godisageek.com/reviews/baldurs-gate-i-ii-enhanced-edition-review/

8.5/10 "Small niggles aside, the Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2 Enhanced Edition bundle is a great opportunity for anyone who missed these classics to see what all the fuss is about, and for anyone who, like me, spent a good chunk of their teen years immersed in BioWare’s genre-defining masterpieces."

https://www.godisageek.com/reviews/icewind-dale-planescape-torment-enhanced-edition-review/

8.5/10 "Icewind Dale and Planescape: Torment are still great games. They may not exactly look as amazing as they did back when they were first released, and they may be inexplicably lacking touchscreen support on Switch, but these Enhanced Edition re-releases work surprisingly well on console using a controller (or the Joycons on Switch). You might just need a lot of patience to play one of the games, but you’ll certainly need a lot of time to play both of these epic RPGs. And honestly, you probably should play them."

https://www.xboxtavern.com/baldurs-gate-enhanced-edition-pack-review/

8.3/10 "I am glad these games are back, as there is a lot of joy to be had in these D&D based RPG’s which both newer and old RPG fans can enjoy. The controls designed for the Xbox controller make the game much quicker to steer and feel more fluid. The game flows a lot quicker than it did in the past too, without all the restrictive loading times associated with CD’s. If you are a big fan of in-depth story lines and interesting plot twists in your RPG’s, then this collection will be something you’ll love."

http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/baldurs_gate_and_baldurs_gate_ii_enhanced_editions

8/10 "Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate 2: Enhanced Editions aren't magical ground-up reworkings or spectacular remasters; these are games that are showing their age in many ways and there’s no doubt that some of the more recent tributes to the glory days of the Infinity Engine – games such as Divinity: Original Sin or Pillars of Eternity – are, in many ways, more readily accessible and appealing to modern audiences. However, these are still classics of the genre that are absolutely worth persisting with. Once you get to grips with some of their more antiquated ways you’ll be handsomely rewarded with some of the deepest combat, best writing, voice-acting and characters you’re likely to find in the genre. The Switch really is turning into an RPG-lover’s dream machine."

http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/planescape_torment_and_icewind_dale_enhanced_edition

8/10 "This is another strong showing from Beamdog that sees a real odd couple of classics in the best shape they've maybe ever been, coupled with a control system designed for consoles that makes them as effortless to play on the move as they are sat at a keyboard and mouse. Icewind Dale is probably as good as old-school combat ever got and is still an absolute gem for fans of epic dungeon-crawling who don't mind the brutal difficulty involved in getting the hang of its action. Planescape: Torment, on the other hand, is a narrative masterclass which still feels fresh as a daisy and is as bizarre, funny and endlessly replayable as it's ever been. Together, these two make for a pretty essential addition to your Switch's RPG library."

https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps4/baldurs_gate_enhanced_edition_pack

8/10 "The Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition Pack offers incredible value for money, with hundreds of hours of role-playing game action spread across two main games and various expansions. While players unfamiliar with the series may find the presentation or the sometimes finicky navigation unappealing, the narrative remains compelling, the characters engaging, and the combat challenging. More than that, it's the first opportunity for console gamers to play two of the greatest RPGs of all time, and it shouldn't be skipped."

https://gamingtrend.com/?p=189980

8/10 "Combined, these four games carry over 400 hours of some of the most well written RPG storylines I’ve ever played. The Enhanced Editions provide a wealth of quality of life improvements that make them bearable for new platforms. While there is bafflingly no touchscreen support for Switch, and the multiplayer is AWOL, there is simply no better way to take these wonderful RPGs on the road than the Nintendo Switch."

https://www.gamespace.com/featured/planescape-torment-icewind-dale-enhanced-editions-nintendo-switch-review-welcome-home/

8/10 "There's no denying that Planescape: Torment and Icewind Dale are classic AD&D RPGs in all their glory. Don't stop here if you're looking for remasters. If you're looking to play these classics for the first time or want to enjoy these adventures on the bus ride home then welcome back! Even after 20 years these games still hold some magic and these Enhanced Editions on the Nintendo Switch are faithful and competent ports!"

https://www.rpgsite.net/review/9073-baldur-s-gate-enhanced-edition-review

8/10 "Going through Baldur's Gate for the first time is a reminder of what makes a classic RPG -- It’s hard to miss the ways it influenced the genre two decades years ago and how its impact can still be seen in games today, but as a modern experience, it does require a new player to meet in the middle a bit in terms of quality-of-life and the slightly-dated presentation. Despite that, this is the perfect game for a fan of the genre like me to finally play and having an updated version of the game available to a wide new audience is an opportunity for new fans to see exactly why it remains so highly regarded to this day. "
Post edited by JuliusBorisov on

Comments

  • sarevok57sarevok57 Member Posts: 6,002
    i believe a friend of mine is getting the EE games for his switch ( even though he has a PC as well lulz )

    but its good to see that people are enjoying the console experience for the most part it looks like
  • ZaxaresZaxares Member Posts: 1,330
    Anything that lets more people experience the magic and wonder of the IE games is always a good thing. :D
  • KamigoroshiKamigoroshi Member Posts: 5,870
    edited October 2019
    A couple of German reviews:

    https://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht_fazit/Allgemein/Test/Fazit_Wertung/XboxOne/41186/84050/Planescape_Torment_and_Icewind_Dale_Enhanced_Editions.html

    Satisfying/Befriedigend - “Alte Liebe rostet nicht? In diesem Fall schon. Obwohl die Magie der Black Isle Studios auch am großen Bildschirm spürbar wird, vor allem wenn Morte seine süffisanten Dialoge in Planescape Torment beginnt, liegt das eher an nostalgischen Déjà-vus eines alten Rollenspiel-Veteranen als am neuen Glanz. Als großer Liebhaber dieses Genres hätte ich mir natürlich echte Remakes gewünscht, die diese Klassiker im modernen Licht erstrahlen lassen. Aber Beamdog serviert trotz visueller Defizite und offener Wünsche zumindest solide spielbare Umsetzungen. Das eher auf taktische Action fokussierte Icewind Dale ist mit allen Erweiterungen und zusätzlichen Quests enthalten, das erzählerische Meisterwerk Planescape Torment wirkt dank 4K-Interface noch am besten am großen Fernseher, aber verlangt auch viel Geduld in langen Lektürephasen.“

    https://www.ntower.de/test/2689-baldur’s-gate-baldur’s-gate-ii-enhanced-edition-switch/

    7/10 - “Die Baldur’s Gate + Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition zu testen, hat mich in eine kleine Sinnkrise gestürzt, was die Bewertung dieses Titels angeht. Wie gut ist der altehrwürdige Klassiker gealtert und welche Spielmechaniken sind damals wie heute ein absolutes No-Go? Man muss ganz klar sagen, für euer Geld erhaltet ihr zwei Spiele, in die ihr mehrere hunderte Stunden stecken könnt und dabei sicher noch nicht alles erlebt und gesehen habt. Während der erste Teil noch ein klassisches Rollenspiel-Abenteuer sein könnte, das sich langsam immer weiter entwickelt, liegt euch mit Baldur’s Gate II zweifelsohne ein rollenspielerisches Meisterwerk vor, dass mit tiefgehenden Charakteren, wundervoll ausgearbeiteten Quests und einer epischen Handlung aufwartet, die sich über vier Kapitel (wenn man die Erweiterungen losgelöst von den Hauptspielen betrachtet) erstreckt. Bis heute habe ich noch kein Rollenspiel erlebt, dass es auf der narrativen Ebene mit dieser Spielreihe aufnehmen kann. Dem Gegenüber stehen jedoch Mechaniken, die gerade Einsteigern das Leben unnötig schwer machen. Die Baldur’s-Gate-Titel basieren nun einmal auf einem komplexen Regelwerk und Neulinge bekommen dies besonders im ersten Teil gnadenlos zu spüren – wer hier nicht eine gewisse Frustrationstoleranz beweist oder den Schwierigkeitsgrad senkt, wird anfangs bitteres Lehrgeld zahlen. Dazu kommt eine altbackene Präsentation, die heute zwar immer noch ganz nett anzusehen ist (gerade die handgemalten Hintergründe), allerdings keinen wirklichen Blumentopf mehr gewinnen kann. Zum Glück ist es Entwickler Beamdog gelungen, die Steuerung so gut umzusetzen, wie man es sich nur wünschen kann. Wenn ihr also nach einem Spiel sucht, das euch erzählerisch mitreißen wird und das euch in eine der besten Fantasy-Welten versetzt, dann greift zu und bringt etwas Geduld mit. Alle anderen sollten sich gut überlegen, ob sie sich in ein komplexes System einarbeiten wollen, das vor allem durch seine Kämpfe besticht und gleichzeitig frustrieren kann. Mein Tipp: Es lohnt sich.“
  • AronAron Member Posts: 94
    Very good reviews for these games. They are timeless classics already. Now new and veteran players of this saga can enjoy it yet again on a large screen playing console.

    I have all the games in every release they have come, but I will spoil myself and try at least one of these on PS4 aswell. Curious to see how it looks like on a large screen.


    Well done Beamdog! Gratulations!
    Already looking forward to see your new projects and releases.
  • Sir_GarrickSir_Garrick Member Posts: 32
    I'm almost tempted to re-buy them on the console but I mostly only play Mario and Zelda on my Switch. Otherwise I focus solely on playing IE and old Might and Magic games on my computer. But good job for making the IE games popular again for a new generation of console users! Makes me wish I didn't already own BGEE on my iPad or I'd get them again to play on plane rides.
Sign In or Register to comment.

2024 Overhaul Games, a division of Beamdog. © 2024 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Baldur's Gate, Dungeons & Dragons, D&D, Forgotten Realms, Baldur's Gate, Wizards of the Coast and their logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries, and are used with permission. Hasbro and its logo are trademarks of Hasbro, Inc. and are used with permission. © 1998 BioWare Corp. All Rights Reserved. BioWare, the BioWare Infinity Engine and the BioWare logo are trademarks of Bioware Corp. Black Isle Studios and the Black Isle Studios logo are trademarks of Interplay Entertainment Corp. Atari and the Atari logo are trademarks owned by Atari Interactive, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.