15 years later, I still can't find a game to replace BG1
SharGuidesMyHand
Member Posts: 2,580
Approximately 15 years ago, shortly after I had bought a new computer, my uncle bought BG1 for me as a Christmas present. I had never heard of the game (I was still playing mainly video games at that time, and was completely ignorant of PC games), and I don't know whether he was at all familiar with what he had bought me, either. Even before I had installed the game, as soon as I saw some of the character portraits in the manual, I was already in love with it. And once I actually began playing, it lived up to all of my expectations. I loved the artwork, the gradually unfolding stories, the freedom to explore, and the very memorable characters, among many other things. The attention to detail (i.e.: the stories outlined in the various books) was unlike anything I had ever seen!
The problem is, I have spent ever since looking for another CRPG that can measure up to BG1, but have yet to find it. Even the other IE games just could never quite fill the gap for me. BG2 looked great on the surface, but I didn't like the artwork or the characters (even though they talked a lot more, their personalities were either boring or unlikable), the heavy bias toward magic, and the lineality/repetitiveness that became increasingly apparent on subsequent playthroughs. IWD traded away much of the RP aspect of BG1 in place of greater emphasis on action, and PST went too far in the other direction IMO, with sheer volume of content, story, and characters that was simply overwhelming for me. Not only that, but I find that the controls and rules-sets of many other games (particularly the newer, 3D ones) are just too complicated for me and don't allow me the room to appreciate my surroundings. I had hoped that PoE might finally be the game that would fill BG1's shoes for me, but while it's probably the most visually impressive 2D RPG to date, I feel that it borrows too heavily from IWD (i.e.: repeated lineal dungeon crawls against repetitive waves of monsters), and the portraits are bland and fail to bring the characters to life IMO. (I'm still clinging to the hope that Tides of Numenera would be much more to my liking.)
IMO, BG1 struck the perfect balance between story, freedom, and action, combined with inimitably great artwork and some of the most memorable characters (both joinable and non-joinable) in any game. It was just challenging enough to be interesting, but not so much that it preventing you from appreciating the game content and experimenting with various types of characters and strategies.
Has anyone else here shared my struggle? And should I still be holding out hope for a "cure"?
The problem is, I have spent ever since looking for another CRPG that can measure up to BG1, but have yet to find it. Even the other IE games just could never quite fill the gap for me. BG2 looked great on the surface, but I didn't like the artwork or the characters (even though they talked a lot more, their personalities were either boring or unlikable), the heavy bias toward magic, and the lineality/repetitiveness that became increasingly apparent on subsequent playthroughs. IWD traded away much of the RP aspect of BG1 in place of greater emphasis on action, and PST went too far in the other direction IMO, with sheer volume of content, story, and characters that was simply overwhelming for me. Not only that, but I find that the controls and rules-sets of many other games (particularly the newer, 3D ones) are just too complicated for me and don't allow me the room to appreciate my surroundings. I had hoped that PoE might finally be the game that would fill BG1's shoes for me, but while it's probably the most visually impressive 2D RPG to date, I feel that it borrows too heavily from IWD (i.e.: repeated lineal dungeon crawls against repetitive waves of monsters), and the portraits are bland and fail to bring the characters to life IMO. (I'm still clinging to the hope that Tides of Numenera would be much more to my liking.)
IMO, BG1 struck the perfect balance between story, freedom, and action, combined with inimitably great artwork and some of the most memorable characters (both joinable and non-joinable) in any game. It was just challenging enough to be interesting, but not so much that it preventing you from appreciating the game content and experimenting with various types of characters and strategies.
Has anyone else here shared my struggle? And should I still be holding out hope for a "cure"?
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Comments
But I enjoyed BG2 just as much, if not more. I stopped comparing games to the Baldur's gate series because it wasn't the game play that hooked me, it was the reintroduction to AD&D and the fantasy genre thay got me hooked.
Both games have their flaws, but since it was the first, it holds a special place for me that no other game can compare to.
I'm told the newest Divinity and Pillars of Eternity are fantastic, as well. I'll get around to them, eventually. But, if it's not broke, don't fix it! Just play BG until you find something that lures you away.
I've never tried anything from the Divinity series though, so I'll have to look into it.
I greatly understand it, OP.
But you always should keep trying new RPGs. They won't be able to beat BG1 in your mind but they can find a place of their own.
I personally can advice PoE. Pillars, although it's a different game, share something in common with BG1.
The closest game for me to the experience of Baldur's Gate is the first Gothic. It is a different game - 3D, TPP and only one character, but the freedom and the world itself are really amazing. Similarly to BG the game was developed alongside the engine and unfortunately some content had to be cut. Thet's why I have similar feelings when visiting some unsual, but empty places. The mysteries that may never be discovered. The graphics are dated and the controls are quite clunky, but once got used to it really doesn't bother me at all (quite the opposite actually). Oh, and there are 2 mines that you visit as well, not that it matters though.
The other route that I use is pen and paper RPGs. I still play AD&D with some minor modifications and I find myself enjoying it alot. It is much harder to do, since there are other people needed, but if you have a bit of experience, you can be a DM and create the world you like. My sessions are heavy inspired by Baldur's Gate (low level adventures, lots of exploring of the wilderness etc.). Even though I had groups falling apart, I still have enough passion to continue. Recently, I introduced 2 new players to RPGs and have a group to play with.
I'm currently playing Pillars of Eternity and even though it's an amazing game, I have to agree that similarity to IWD with dungeon crawling is my least favourite part of the whole experience. Still, it's the best cRPG in many years and I hope that this will cause similar games to rise.
I fully understand your situation, I learned to accept that Baldur's Gate is that one game that I will always be coming back to no matter what. I like to play something different for most of the year and then when the summer arrives I look at that skull on the box and think to myself "It's time...".
Don't worry, though. I'm actually working on a game worthy to replace the BG saga. With my limited budget and infinite lifespan, however, it may take some 30 years, maybe a 100 more. So, stay tuned.
There were few contestants over the time, but none has really managed to surpass BG.
I'll list them, to compare my list with others (excluding Icewind Dale)
Albion - very old, hardcore RPG in a massive world, with a massive story.
Might and Magic games - especially 7 and 8, 9 was crap and 10 was good, but I doubt I would play 10 it again anytime soon.
Jagged Alliance 1 & 2 - Old tactical RPG gems. Just ... that.
old Panzer General 2 - strategic game with RPG elements ... nowadays I keep playing Panzer Corps which is it's remake and it's great too.
From the newer games:
Dragon Age:Origins - just the first one.
Skyrim - ... pure delight, but still not BG.
Shadowrun: Returns and it's sub-sequent DLCs - original game - very pleasant. Dragonfall DLC - great, Dragonfall - Directors cut - even better. Now, they are cooking Dragonfall:Hong Kong on the engine update they used in the directors cut and adding new things. This franchise looks very promising. (I also backed Hong Kong on Kickstarter)
Anticipating, but haven't tried them yet:
Divinity:Original Sin + Pillars of Eternity + X-com:Enemy Unknown
...somehow, NWN never made a big hole into my gaming experience.
Also, I have a friend, who loved BG games too and when he tried to sell me on the matter of X-Com, I asked him "How good is that game on the scale from 1 to Baldur's Gate?".
He winced, sighed and said "Very, very good. Just not BG."
As others have pointed out, nostalgia plays a big role, but the real culprit is the accumulated experience. The more games you have tried the less are the chances of a new one blowing your mind. The first videogame is a magical portal into a mysterious wonderland, while the most recent one is probably just a mildly fun product you bought to spend your weekend with. You already know the drill. Completing it is a routine.
I only recently tried BG1. The way I feel about it is that 15 years ago I could have *really* loved it. Today, from my own subjective perspective it's vastly inferior to BG2. I could argue the reasons, but it's obviously pointless. So, BG2 remains on the top of the throne, and I don't expect any serious challengers.