Should I Complete My Dad's Run?

ZaramMaldovar

In the Summer of 2017, I finally convinced my Dad to pick up a run of Baldur's Gate after having not played the game in nearly a decade and never completing the whole trilogy. He created an archer named Oliver (we're both big DC fans) and got about 1/3 of the way into Siege of Dragonspear before his health took a turn for the worst in July and he never got to finish. He died that December.

Last year I finally acquired the save file from my Dad's game and I've been sitting on it for a while not really sure what to do. I don't know whether it would honor him more to leave the game exactly as it was or to finish it. I was hoping to get some insight from you guys.

Isewein

My condolences for your loss. The way I see it, the way to honour a loved one's memory is to let it continue to be a blessing to your life. So if playing the game makes you engage with his memory in a meaningful, maybe even joyful way, I'm sure that's what he would have wanted.

Grond0

You could perhaps role-play the game in a slightly different way - thinking about the way your Dad would have played rather than how NPCs would react. That might help trigger some good memories.

Balrog99

I'd give it a go. Can't hurt and could bring back some good memories. Make sure you read all of the journal entries before you start. It might give some insight into his play style.

Arvia

My condolences for your loss. I think there's no right or wrong answer here, it depends how you feel about it. I doubt a father would want someone to leave a "relic" untouched just for their sake. He'd probably be more concerned how it affects you.
If it makes you feel more connected to him to occasionally look at it and leave it as it is, maybe that's the way to go. If it gives you pleasant memories and a connection to him to continue it and finish what he started, it would be a bit like going on a journey now in his memory to a place that he wanted to go but never could.
Both are valid options, maybe you need some more time to figure out which one is best for you.

I personally would rather go for the option to play the game and imagine how he would have done it, or imagine how we would talk about some roleplaying decisions, use his favorite strategies etc. I think life continues and we carry the memories with us while we live it, instead of creating something material to hold on to and to conserve, but that's just my totally personal opinion, of course.

Zaxares

My condolences for your loss. As for your question... The gamer in me says "No", because the thought of somebody else (whether it be a friend, a parent or a child) picking up my save games and then potentially taking a very different path from what I would have done just makes me cringe. ("It's MY game! NO TOUCHIE!") But... the son in me says "Yes", because it might be a very personal way of grieving/saying goodbye, the same way some people find solace or catharsis in going through the belongings of their deceased loved ones and either reminiscing on old memories, or possibly discovering a side to them you never knew existed.

spacejaws

My condolences I'm sorry for your loss. The idea to continue an unfinished save is super sweet though. I can only speak personally but I would love to think someone dear to me continuing a save of mine and thinking of me if I passed. Like my brother for instance as we play games together often I can absolutely envisage playing his save and thinking about how he would have gone through it.

You could also keep a backup of the saves too, like a snapshot in time. Play through the save now but say 5 or 10 years down the line you have the original save you could go back to and live through it again just as he left it.

ZaramMaldovar

https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/81058/completing-my-dads-run/p1?new=1