| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Lemernis |
Posted - 03 Sep 2012 : 20:44:00
The venerable CRPG games Baldur's Gate/Tales of the Sword Coast and BG2: Shadows of Amn/Throne of Bhaal are being re-released in enhanced editions by Beamdog.
http://baldursgate.com/
BG:EE is being released in just 2 weeks on Sept. 18th via digital download. The game will feature a host of improvements including
- use of the ToB engine (no more need to run tutu, BGT or other such platforms developed by the modding community)
- enhanced graphics including higher native resolutions (although sadly the game cannot be re-rendered in HD due to loss of the source artwork), a zoom feature, source area art filtered via hardware to scale it as required and enable the zoom in/out feature, and flipbook animation transparency and alpha blending for BAM files
- new hi-res GUI
- 1 Pixel Productions item graphics
- fixes to every bug the game ever had, basically
- fixed multiplayer
- close work by developers alongside the modding community to support mods
- platforms for iPad and Android
- new hi-res cinematics
- new portraits and voice sets for the PC
- 3 new NPC/quests/romances: a Monk, Blackgaurd, and Wild Mage
- Blackguard kit
- new music for the new adventures/areas
- new interactions/dialogs between old NPCs and new NPCs in the game's new areas
- 6 hour stand-alone adventure
There will also be DLCs available post-ship, including a mod manager, another large stand-alone adventure, and presumably new NPCs, kits, and stand-alone adventure modules.
List of Things That Have Been Announced:
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/2041/bgee-please-read-list-of-things-that-have-been-announced/p1
List of Things That Can't Be Done:
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/1588/bgee-please-read-list-of-things-that-cant-be-done/p1
BG2:EE (Enhanced SoA + ToB) will ship some time next year. The release of the Enhanced Editions for the BG series games should foster a resurgence of modding activity.
If sales are good enough Beamdog will get the green light to make BG3. Which would be pretty darned cool. |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Light |
Posted - 18 Sep 2012 : 15:27:41
I don't mind at all that its release date has been postponed. I intend to wait for the release of its sequel before playing it anyway. That said, if postponing means a "better" experience then that sounds good to me. |
| canikoblivan |
Posted - 15 Sep 2012 : 15:12:29
Unfortunately, it's been pushed back to November to provide a "better" experience. |
| Seravin |
Posted - 04 Sep 2012 : 18:05:16
I cannot wait for this. I may have to buy 2 copies just to give a push for BG3, which would be the best CRPG news in 10 years. |
| Light |
Posted - 04 Sep 2012 : 09:36:47
quote:
Originally posted by Lemernis
@Light
I know what you mean. With the scarce amount of free time I have to play it's almost academic for me, though. I'll be lucky if I can even devote a couple hours a week. BG2:EE might well be released by the time I complete BG:EE. The work of overhauling the engine will already be done with BG:EE, so the release of BG2:EE some time next year may not be too long a wait.
Fans are eager to delve in, so that's not surprising that those few who wish to wait for BG2:EE are the outliers.
The biggest disappointment I have with this project is that the game can't be re-rendered in HD and that, contractually, they can't make any changes to the NPCs or story other than in new content that the EE adds. But hopefully the graphical improvements will be noticeable and make the game feel like it got a facelift. And imho they need to release a mod manager via DLC ASAP after release.
I'm supporting it mainly because I want to see development of BG3.
100% agreed. It's sad to know that the source material of any game can be lost and have that game forever denied a HD re-release. I'm just going to be happy with a OS optimized game, new characters/areas/quests and the improved UI.
I do have fears for the possible BG3 (as it is stated to be one of Beamdog/Overhauls' goal) as it could turn out poorly... but it could be great and all shall be forgiven. |
| Lemernis |
Posted - 04 Sep 2012 : 09:02:01
@Light
I know what you mean. With the scarce amount of free time I have to play it's almost academic for me, though. I'll be lucky if I can even devote a couple hours a week. BG2:EE might well be released by the time I complete BG:EE. The work of overhauling the engine will already be done with BG:EE, so the release of BG2:EE some time next year may not be too long a wait.
Fans are eager to delve in, so that's not surprising that those few who wish to wait for BG2:EE are the outliers.
The biggest disappointment I have with this project is that the game can't be re-rendered in HD and that, contractually, they can't make any changes to the NPCs or story other than in new content that the EE adds. But hopefully the graphical improvements will be noticeable and make the game feel like it got a facelift. And imho they need to release a mod manager via DLC ASAP after release.
I'm supporting it mainly because I want to see development of BG3. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 04 Sep 2012 : 08:59:33
quote:
Originally posted by Light
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Lemernis
new music for the new adventures/areas
I'd love to know more about this particular aspect. I really did enjoy the music from the original BG games. In fact, they've often been used as background music for my own table-top campaigns.
If I remember correctly the new music (which will only be played during the new quests/areas) is composed by Sam Hulick who is best known for also doing the Mass Effect music. I haven't played ME yet (YET) but I am somewhat disappointed as I wish the original artist for BG was doing it... or even the one from Icewind Dale.
I just hope it keeps the same style/quality as the original.
You can listen to a couple of half-minute samples of the music here:
http://kotaku.com/5931279/a-tasty-sampling-of-the-new-baldurs-gate-music
Neato! Thanks for the link.  |
| Light |
Posted - 04 Sep 2012 : 07:56:23
Personally though I won't be playing BG:EE until its sequel is released. It's a terrible habit of mine to be unable to watch/play/read anything that isn't fully completed yet. I made a topic about it over on the BGForums but it seems like I am the only one who is going to be waiting. |
| Light |
Posted - 04 Sep 2012 : 07:53:07
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by Lemernis
new music for the new adventures/areas
I'd love to know more about this particular aspect. I really did enjoy the music from the original BG games. In fact, they've often been used as background music for my own table-top campaigns.
If I remember correctly the new music (which will only be played during the new quests/areas) is composed by Sam Hulick who is best known for also doing the Mass Effect music. I haven't played ME yet (YET) but I am somewhat disappointed as I wish the original artist for BG was doing it... or even the one from Icewind Dale.
I just hope it keeps the same style/quality as the original.
You can listen to a couple of half-minute samples of the music here:
http://kotaku.com/5931279/a-tasty-sampling-of-the-new-baldurs-gate-music |
| The Sage |
Posted - 04 Sep 2012 : 02:11:43
quote:
Originally posted by Lemernis
new music for the new adventures/areas
I'd love to know more about this particular aspect. I really did enjoy the music from the original BG games. In fact, they've often been used as background music for my own table-top campaigns. |
