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ode904
Learned Scribe
Finland
193 Posts |
 Posted - 07 Jul 2005 : 12:30:21
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quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
Now anyone, regardless of playing BG or not, with a little D&D knowledge should know a moonblade should be more powerful than a minor +1 katana. It was stuff like this that made the series bad, not because. Also, you can't exactly compare the bloodshed in BG2: SOA and BG2: ToB, because they were written by two different novels.
I agree with THAT. Moon elf has got a little shoddy short sword which is named 'Moonblade' . But in my opinion BG serie is amazing. They have always been my favorite games .
But yes the game has perhaps a little more blood than the book. I would remember that my party's entire killing numbers were like 1500...
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2005 : 11:33:38
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quote:
Originally posted by ode904
quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
Now anyone, regardless of playing BG or not, with a little D&D knowledge should know a moonblade should be more powerful than a minor +1 katana. It was stuff like this that made the series bad, not because. Also, you can't exactly compare the bloodshed in BG2: SOA and BG2: ToB, because they were written by two different novels.
I agree with THAT. Moon elf has got a little shoddy short sword which is named 'Moonblade'. But in my opinion BG serie is amazing. They have always been my favorite games.
But yes the game has perhaps a little more blood than the book. I would remember that my party's entire killing numbers were like 1500...
I butchered about 4000 in SoA and ToB combined. |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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ode904
Learned Scribe
Finland
193 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2005 : 22:03:18
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Nah that was a guess. I losed my all saves when I got new computer( my mistake).
[quote]
The taint of Bhaal beyond Boarskyr Bridge has long fascinated me, so when I accidentally stumbled onto the Amazon.com page for this book (I found it on someone's list of FR novels and games), I was eager to read the customer reviews to see what it was about. Well, ya coulda fish-slapped me, for all the value I got from the viscous puddles of drool passing for "reviews" over there. "He didn't do this, which was in the game," "She didn't do that because he wrote this other thing," blah, blah, blah, blather! I began to doubt that any of the d-----d fools had actually read the book.
[quote]
But that 'really' happened. I think this was discussed in 'computer softwareŽ. |
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khorne
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1073 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 09:49:19
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quote:
Originally posted by ode904
Nah that was a guess. I losed my all saves when I got new computer( my mistake).
[quote]
The taint of Bhaal beyond Boarskyr Bridge has long fascinated me, so when I accidentally stumbled onto the Amazon.com page for this book (I found it on someone's list of FR novels and games), I was eager to read the customer reviews to see what it was about. Well, ya coulda fish-slapped me, for all the value I got from the viscous puddles of drool passing for "reviews" over there. "He didn't do this, which was in the game," "She didn't do that because he wrote this other thing," blah, blah, blah, blather! I began to doubt that any of the d-----d fools had actually read the book.
[quote]
But that 'really' happened. I think this was discussed in 'computer softwareŽ.
Well, I read the book, and nearly got seizures from it(I`m exaggerating, but not much) |
If I were a ranger, I would pick NDA for my favorite enemy |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2005 : 15:34:36
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Well ya know, I really enjoyed this book! I haven't played the game itself but I thoroughly enjoyed this story. A couple of elements were a little off and the constant killing off of key characters is very CRPG-like (although this exists throughout the trilogy).
I loved Drew's writing in Temple Hill and was expecting a good tale from him in the novel, and I was happy with what I read.
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Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2005 : 19:53:17
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quote:
Originally posted by khorne
Word count limit 300 pages..........What kind of an idiot would seriously believe that a game the SIZE of baldurs gate:shadows of amn could be adequately described IN ONLY 300 PAGES?!!!!!!!!!!!
It can't--it really can't. No one who has played the games can enjoy any of these books until they admit to themselves that the books can't be carbon copies of the game.
That being said, I really did enjoy Throne of Bhaal. I liked the way he handled the end of the story, because I've always felt that "Your destiny is whatever you make of it" was the true spirit of the games. In my games my characters always choose to remain mortal, so I'm glad that Abdel did, too.
These comments don't apply to the whole series though. While the BG2 book was okay (not great, just okay), the first book was terrible. I can't really recommend it, but read it if you're curious. Heck, you might find it amusing! |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 08 Oct 2005 : 19:59:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Jamallo Kreen
I was tantalized by the mentions of Jon Irenicus. Is he well-presented in the first two books (or whichever one he is in, if he is only in one)? Is he an NPC in the game?
He's the primary villain in the second game. |
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Walking in the Light
Acolyte
22 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2005 : 07:11:39
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Jamallo
quote:
What I found interesting from a reader's perspective is that on the first page the author rushed through Abdel's entire life story in a single paragraph, almost as if to say, "I've acknowledged all of that other stuff which I didn't write; now, thank Oghma, I can get on and write my own book!" That was my perception, anyway.
Now that was well said.
Its the core of the whole argument about the grand story in the PC game and the less than ok books.
As far as being tempted to buy the game as you said in one of your posts
Get Shadow of Amn and Thrown of Baal first before playing the original.
The 2nd and 3rd had the richest NPC/Main story and most up to date game play.
The first one has a good story but the game play is more rustic than 2nd and 3rd....still good though.
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From the Book Halfling Sayings by Agudo
A Lion Tamer once said, if ya need an illusionist for thy circus then call a Gnome
But if thy circus needs a clown send in the Halflings
Chapter 5-The town of Gullykin on the Sword Coast
By Lady Silvin Lionheart, speaking to Agudo in the year of the Comical Halfling
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artificial_sunlight
Acolyte
Netherlands
14 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2013 : 10:53:09
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I have reas somewere that Drew Karphyshyn didn't had al lot of time to write the story, but his biggest problem was that he had events and characters from 2 books that he didn't wrote to use in his story.
I dont think the book is a great game novel, BUT the novel on its own is pretty ok.
(sorry for digging up an old topic, but bg is booming right now) |
Dutch FR Story Collector |
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Light
Learned Scribe
Australia
233 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2013 : 14:13:36
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This topic isn't just old... it's ancient mate. But I do find it amusing that the poster two above me has the same profile picture and a very similar name. I swear there is no relation though, I swear!
On topic, I think the book is quite bad. Not bad actually, just certainly the epitome of mediocre. I'm not saying I could do better but I would certainly give it a good shot. In fact I actually do plan on writing a Baldur's Gate book. I say "plan" because I will probably never find the time or motivation. |
"A true warrior needs no sword" - Thors (Vinland Saga) |
Edited by - Light on 01 Mar 2013 14:14:24 |
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe
595 Posts |
Posted - 01 Mar 2013 : 23:53:19
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| The BG novels are the worst FR novels I ever read. BG: The Novel is terrible, BG2: The Novel manages to be even more terrible (which i something one would think impossible after just having finished the BG novel) and then ToB: The Novel finally raises the bar, although that only means it's the least horrible of these three pieces of .... |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 02 Mar 2013 : 02:17:52
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quote:
Originally posted by artificial_sunlight
I have reas somewere that Drew Karphyshyn didn't had al lot of time to write the story, but his biggest problem was that he had events and characters from 2 books that he didn't wrote to use in his story.
There's also the fact that because of the multiple endings of the BG games, they can't be considered properly Realms canon. So I imagine it was kind of difficult for Karphyshyn to weave his tales using both his own scripts and what was plotted for the Baldur's Gate CRPGs. |
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Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Spoon
Acolyte
Australia
18 Posts |
Posted - 08 Mar 2013 : 13:23:18
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The BG novels were a bastardized aberration of a series. In no way do I consider them to be canon. "Abdel" being a mercenary with Gorion? What an absolute joke. Imoen being shredded by the Ravager (or something like that)... Please. The authors complete disregard for even basic elements of the game plot was unforgivable. Not to mention ignoring many facets of D&D rules.
It's a shame they were ever published. |
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artificial_sunlight
Acolyte
Netherlands
14 Posts |
Posted - 10 Mar 2013 : 11:40:05
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I disagree, the books are more than shelf space for me. They are part of the FR universe. They are not great overal but ToB was a good read for me.
But I picked up Once around the realms a while ago  knowing it's the most ugly gibberling in Faerun |
Dutch FR Story Collector |
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Mirtek
Senior Scribe
595 Posts |
Posted - 11 Mar 2013 : 21:05:30
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quote:
Originally posted by artificial_sunlight
But I picked up Once around the realms a while ago knowing it's the most ugly gibberling in Faerun
Oh, I forgot about that one. Maybe my mind trying to protect me. But I'd still consider at very least the first two BG novel worse than OAtR. |
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swifty
Senior Scribe
United Kingdom
517 Posts |
Posted - 24 Mar 2013 : 09:42:55
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| baldurs gate is the worst realms novel ever released.period. |
go back to sleep america.everything is under control.heres american gladiators.watch this.shuttup. BILL HICKS. |
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Lily M Green
Learned Scribe
Australia
115 Posts |
Posted - 21 May 2013 : 11:15:43
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| I always wondered with these novels if they were written in parallel with the development process for the games - especially the first installment - rather than after the fact, and looking at release dates for both I'd say it was likely. This would explain the huge disparity between the novel characterisations and those in game but wasn't something I could get past. Part of the appeal of the game(s) (for me) is that the NPCs are fantastically rounded. Some are hugely likable, some are Marmite but still fully fleshed out and these characters bear little or no resemblance to the characters on the page and sadly, the characters on the page aren't a patch on those in the game. As a positive Philip Athans does have a highly readable style. |
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
A Dark Alliance - Beyond Baldur's Gate |
Edited by - Lily M Green on 21 May 2013 11:16:43 |
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Volathar
Acolyte
Turkey
15 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2013 : 10:14:48
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I remember reading the BG novel, years ago, although I do not remember the book clearly, other than rating it as "average" & deciding not to continue the series. However, after reading Drew Karphyshyn's "Bane Trilogy" (which was really great btw), I decided to give the novel "Throne of Bhaal" a shot & will probably also read BG 2 to tie things up.
Actually, I think it's a good thing that the game (which is by far one of the greatest RPGs of all time) and the novels are not accurate. This way, the novels provide a -kind of- different story & perspective. However, I also agree that the novels could have been way better for a game of that calibre. |
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lordsknight185
Learned Scribe
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2013 : 13:45:42
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*Throwing in my 2c*
I have never read the second or third novel, but I will never forgive how they portrayed Khalid in the first novel. Almost makes me want to punch Athans in the face...But I am a gentleman, so I will simply grumble and silently rage in my corner about such bastardizations. |
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Zireael
Master of Realmslore
Poland
1190 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2013 : 19:26:50
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Drew Karpyshyn's work was actually good by FR standards, and excellent compared to the first two.
I admit Athans had some good ideas in book 2 (dragons, the sphere scene with Jaheira). But the book 1 had me raging over his treatment of Xan and Khalid, among others. |
SiNafay Vrinn, the daughter of Lloth, from Ched Nasad!
http://zireael07.wordpress.com/ |
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hashimashadoo
Master of Realmslore
United Kingdom
1159 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jun 2013 : 14:10:35
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Throne of Bhaal was certainly the best of the three (I liked its game incarnation the least though). Having played the games, I nonetheless respect artistic license - a pity then that Phil Athans made seemed to make a lazy effort of his though.
The BG series of novels is the kind of thing you might read to help you switch off your brain before going to sleep. Though not un-entertaining, it's far too gratuitous in both its violence and the ease of which Abdel jumps into bed with women. I understand that Athans wrote him as not being totally in control of his own mind and body thanks to Bhaal's taint but it ended up meaning that I had no empathy with him as a protagonist, and I consider myself a very empathetic individual.
As to Jamallo Kreen's question about Irenicus (I'm using info from both the books and the games) Jonaleth(Jon) Irenicus is the primary antagonist of Shadows of Amn.
He was the high mage of Suldanessellar and lover of Queen Ellesime. However, he grew power-hungry and (with the help of his sister Bodhi) tried to steal some of the divine power of Rillifane. He was caught & stopped and as punishment, he and Bodhi were stripped of everything that made them elven then Ellisime dumped Jon and banished them both. Bodhi went and got herself made into a vampire and was reinvigorated in undeath but Irenicus stayed mortal and tried unsuccessfully to fix himself with magic. Both the game and the novel deal ultimately with Jon's attempt to steal Bhaal's taint from Abdel so that Jon can achieve his goal of divinity. |
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Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
