Difficulty:

Hard

Time Spent:

40 to 100 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Best in series"

Of all the RPGs I've played, Baldur's Gate II is one of the best alongside with Neverwinter Nights and Fallout series. The most interesting feature I would say is the interactivity and relations between the party characters. I love the way your henchmen would bicker or comment on things depending on the team combination, though sometimes it becomes a nuisance when one of them decides to leave due to these disputes! It's so charming and 'real' to see this kind of phenomenon in a game, particularly a traditional RPG where gameplay mechanics are already complex.

Baldur's Gate II balances well between combat and quests, and it's always a delight and satisfaction to hear the iconic glitter from your speakers when you level up as it is hard to earn. For combat, what I fancy is that it isn't as straightforward as Diablo, where in most scenarios, it consists of a careful strategic series of actions for a guaranteed success, and the outcome of a zero casualty battle is sweet because of intricate planning.

Not to forget the great story it offers, BGII also presents a world of deceit and treachery, where it's almost like Sex, Lies & Videotape in a medieval time (without the videotape). Unforgettable.

KingLim