EET - is it worth installation?
shevy123456
Member Posts: 273
So, I played mostly BG2EE. I did play BG1 briefly, the beginning part for a while, but lost interest. It was not bad at all, mind you, but it felt a bit slowish compared to BG2 in general.
I also never played Tales of the Sword Coast or Siege of Dragonspear. However had, SoD seems to have some interesting content, so I'd like to play it.
I am currently on an "extended break" which will last quite some time, before I may do another run-through. So I was thinking ... "why not a complete run-through from the get-go". Storywise this may be great.
I may also consider installing the Worldmap again (I had a few issues with it the last time), as well as the Stratagem mod. But the real focus of interest for me, and also in this thread, is EET.
EET is still maintained: https://github.com/Gibberlings3/EET
Last change as I write this came from a month ago, so it is not abandoned. Hopefully more things may go into EET before I do my next run.
So this brings me to a few questions. Ideally someone who already played with EET, and has some experience, can comment on EET.
As I understand it, EET kind of ties together different games into "one game".
My first question thus is:
(1) Does bundling different games come with installation issues or gameplay issues? For instance, incompatible mods? Do I need to pay attention to mods not working on EET and only working on BG2EE and vice versa? I remember the Lichdom mod used to have issues with BG2EE; however had, I tested the lichdom mod on BG2EE this year, after it was said that it works on BG2EE now, and indeed, it does work on it, so playing on pure BG2EE has no issue. But I don't know how it may be with EET installed. Ideally I'd like to play, and not run into later problems (see the annoying messenger that used to crash the game, from one mod; there are workarounds with this, such as using the timestamp item from another mod, and perhaps it was also fixed already, as someone said it was related to encoding / unicode, but this is just an example of issues that I would ideally avoid or at the least minimize).
(2) The second question is ... is it worth it? Meaning, does EET bring any other advantages, aside from being able to do a full meta-mega-run? I mean, imagine someone who would want to install as many mods as possible. Many mods work very well and have been tested by different folks thoroughly, but I assume that the more mods one installs, the more potential issues may be encountered. I have a lot of experience with regard to BG2EE, for the most part (only a few mods I have never tested; and some older mods have issues, including those that were automatically ported via some tool), but I lack experience in regards to BG1EE, SoD and so forth. So perhaps someone who played EET can comment as to whether EET is worth it. The more to comment on this with their own experience, the better!
(3) Some items are great, some items are overpowered. Are there worthwhile items to take from BG1 into BG2 or SoD? If so, do they work? Or may they be lost? I think I have had a few oddities with regards to items that seem to have changed or vanished at a later point between SoA and ToB. Some items are way too overpowered, though, such as the ones that could be found in the mod where the trials with Bodhi, e. g. that strange flickering invisible mage. One problem I had with BG1 was that the start was rather slow, and the characters very limited in what they could do, which contributed to boredom. This was less of a problem in BG2; in particular BG2 is really great once you can freely explore the main map, in SoA. I think that's better than ToB too, since ToB is so linear, whereas SoA allows for so much more freedom in what to do, especially when having installed different mods (I usually skip going to the main tavern and instead solve Lava's Bridge Block and Southern District first; this is not only more fun, but the items are quite useful too, whereas in the main SoA one is supposed to take Nalia, free the slaves first; and then go to her castle ...)
(4) Last but not least, any more things to consider when installing and playing with EET? Are there any changes to a "regular" gameplay one can find in e. g. default vanilla BG2EE? UI changes? Anything that can be customized? How does traveling work - can areas be revisited lateron? Is that worth it? Some mods created by different people have additional content upon re-visiting lateron, which I think is nice. It gives a reason to re-explore and re-visit.
Anyway I think that's it for now. I'll definitely take all useful information before doing another run, which I'll probably do closer to the end of the year when I'll have more time available again (or if some mod gets a big update, tempting one to play it as soon as possible. We need more epic mods such as neverwinter nights or call of the lost goddess!).
I also never played Tales of the Sword Coast or Siege of Dragonspear. However had, SoD seems to have some interesting content, so I'd like to play it.
I am currently on an "extended break" which will last quite some time, before I may do another run-through. So I was thinking ... "why not a complete run-through from the get-go". Storywise this may be great.
I may also consider installing the Worldmap again (I had a few issues with it the last time), as well as the Stratagem mod. But the real focus of interest for me, and also in this thread, is EET.
EET is still maintained: https://github.com/Gibberlings3/EET
Last change as I write this came from a month ago, so it is not abandoned. Hopefully more things may go into EET before I do my next run.
So this brings me to a few questions. Ideally someone who already played with EET, and has some experience, can comment on EET.
As I understand it, EET kind of ties together different games into "one game".
My first question thus is:
(1) Does bundling different games come with installation issues or gameplay issues? For instance, incompatible mods? Do I need to pay attention to mods not working on EET and only working on BG2EE and vice versa? I remember the Lichdom mod used to have issues with BG2EE; however had, I tested the lichdom mod on BG2EE this year, after it was said that it works on BG2EE now, and indeed, it does work on it, so playing on pure BG2EE has no issue. But I don't know how it may be with EET installed. Ideally I'd like to play, and not run into later problems (see the annoying messenger that used to crash the game, from one mod; there are workarounds with this, such as using the timestamp item from another mod, and perhaps it was also fixed already, as someone said it was related to encoding / unicode, but this is just an example of issues that I would ideally avoid or at the least minimize).
(2) The second question is ... is it worth it? Meaning, does EET bring any other advantages, aside from being able to do a full meta-mega-run? I mean, imagine someone who would want to install as many mods as possible. Many mods work very well and have been tested by different folks thoroughly, but I assume that the more mods one installs, the more potential issues may be encountered. I have a lot of experience with regard to BG2EE, for the most part (only a few mods I have never tested; and some older mods have issues, including those that were automatically ported via some tool), but I lack experience in regards to BG1EE, SoD and so forth. So perhaps someone who played EET can comment as to whether EET is worth it. The more to comment on this with their own experience, the better!
(3) Some items are great, some items are overpowered. Are there worthwhile items to take from BG1 into BG2 or SoD? If so, do they work? Or may they be lost? I think I have had a few oddities with regards to items that seem to have changed or vanished at a later point between SoA and ToB. Some items are way too overpowered, though, such as the ones that could be found in the mod where the trials with Bodhi, e. g. that strange flickering invisible mage. One problem I had with BG1 was that the start was rather slow, and the characters very limited in what they could do, which contributed to boredom. This was less of a problem in BG2; in particular BG2 is really great once you can freely explore the main map, in SoA. I think that's better than ToB too, since ToB is so linear, whereas SoA allows for so much more freedom in what to do, especially when having installed different mods (I usually skip going to the main tavern and instead solve Lava's Bridge Block and Southern District first; this is not only more fun, but the items are quite useful too, whereas in the main SoA one is supposed to take Nalia, free the slaves first; and then go to her castle ...)
(4) Last but not least, any more things to consider when installing and playing with EET? Are there any changes to a "regular" gameplay one can find in e. g. default vanilla BG2EE? UI changes? Anything that can be customized? How does traveling work - can areas be revisited lateron? Is that worth it? Some mods created by different people have additional content upon re-visiting lateron, which I think is nice. It gives a reason to re-explore and re-visit.
Anyway I think that's it for now. I'll definitely take all useful information before doing another run, which I'll probably do closer to the end of the year when I'll have more time available again (or if some mod gets a big update, tempting one to play it as soon as possible. We need more epic mods such as neverwinter nights or call of the lost goddess!).
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Comments
EET is just a mean to import BGEE and SoD part into the BG2EE engine, so you can play from Candlekeep to ToB without needing to import between different games.
Also, it allows to have continuous NPC, so for example if you don 't dual class Imoen in the BGEE part, she will not be a mage in the BG2EE part.
Others mods, beside a handful specifically tailored for EET (LCA and Cowled Menace), can be installed indifferently on BGEE, BG2EE or EET. EET doesn't provide more mods to install. Actually, he allows less mods, since some mods are not EET compatible.
EET by default doesn't change the fact that you lose all your items when in Irenicus dungeon.
UI will be the BG2EE one. Yes, you can visit BGEE and SoD areas from Athkatla.
Meaning: EET is really great, but only when you spend a decent amount of time thoroughly reading every mod readmes and EET explanations. Spend some time and make sure your install is more on the safe side. Sure, the modders and others who really know what they do probably get away with a plethora of mods installed at the same time. Or at least can "repair", overcome or circumvent some mod obstacles later in the game. But if you yourself like to install a rather adventurous amount or choice of mods: Don't use EET. That would be my personal advice anyway. However, if you can refrain from bold choices and remain kind of conservativ in your mod choice: EET is a great journey. For me personally I say it is worth it.
Hope it helps.
I've got quite a large modlist now, most conflicts occur because of kit mods or spell mods which you'll struggle with no matter how you play.