The game is absolutely under-rated!!
Graphics: it was good at the time it was released. Even when comparing to today's standard this game still has incredible lightning+shadow and physics system. man, compating flaming skeletons is amazing. You get to see the shadows moving as the flame moves.
Sounds: dude, the sound is awesome!! when you are in a dark place, the music scares you. When you are fighting bosses, the music is incouraging yet powerful
Gamplay: this is wherre this game shines. I haven't yet seen another game with better combat styles than this.
Imagine you are facing 3 death knights all equipped with top notch weapons and shields. The first one approached and taunted you. You quickly take out your ice sword as a knight. The enemy hits you couple times, you blocked em, then when you get the chances and timing you unleashes the most powerful combo in game: northern light!! you hear your hero's battle cries and the ice sword leave behind 4 special blue trails. all four attacks hit the target, the target grows white due to the sword. It deals over an astonishing 10000 damage. the enemy's head is chopped off, blood falls out, It leaves its final groan and the body helplessly falls on the ground. You carefully unleashes a couple more northern lights, and all the enemies are killed. And let me tell you, timing ain't easy if you are beginners. if you aimlessly keep hitting the enemy you will just get blocked and counterattacked and die. But for experts, they can probably kill 10 enemies in a row without getting hitted. (i've done that)
MAN, I have never find such satisifaction in ANY other game!!!
and to those who say this game is hard. man, be real dude, this game requires skill. you need to learn it. learn how to dodge, block according to different characters.
barbarian: dodge obviously, just hit back and block at the same time
zoe: easy dodge, she is fast
knight: gotta learn how to block
dwarf: either block or dodge, depending on the situations
I have played this games over and over again over the 5 years. Why? i want more of that satifaction! killing enemies with powerful super combos is a great way to relieve stress.
Value: dude, you can probably get this game off e-bay or something for real cheap. I tell you that, if you are tired of stupid rpg that requires no skill but time, or pointless FPS killings. Get this game, trust me, you will not experience the kind of satisfaction any where else.
Complaint: the only complain i have is.... the developer is gone. Man, this game truely is a gem.... if there was a BOD2, it would've been the best game ever created.
the only combat system that comes close is oblivion. Well, still BOD's combat is much better comparing the two...However, oblivion has many other elements to offer..
Conclusion: in this game, you feel powerful, you feel like you are the boss, you feel challenged, you feel the gore, you feel the heroism, and in the end, it will leave you an unforgettable experience!!!