LADYDRAGON.COM - Baldur's Gate

Baldur's Gate, a game that was under development for more than 2 years, is finally in store. Bioware, a young Canadian company bought by Interplay not very long ago, carried out a masterpiece and finally an amazing role playing game is available for the computer.

The history of Baldur's Gate starts quite simply but takes uncanny proportions very quickly. To begin this game is enormous, it includes 5 discs, a book of instructions which explains you all the basic rules of advanced dongeon & dragon, and even a card of the town of Baldur's Gate. The first thing that you must do after you installed the game is create a character who will be your alter ego throughout this formidable adventure. Here the choices are multiple, will you be a elf magician or a human warrior ? Its upon you to take the decision.

You're now ready to enter the universe of Forgotten Realms. The first thing that you learn is that you are adopted and that your adoptive father is looking for you. On your path you will encounter poor souls which will require your assistance (like, for example, finding a old manuscript). It is up to you to help those peoples the best you can, or to turn the situation around to your advantage (as to keep the famous manuscript if you are one mean thief).

During this extraordinary journey you will encounter many characters, some good, some malicious. You will make friends but also make many enemies, therefore its very important to often save your game and also to arms your characters with the best weapons (you can control up to 6 characters at the same time).

"A walk downtown"

"A small visit to the inn "

Although the gameplay is in real time its very easy to put the game on pause by pressing on the space bar but be aware if you go in the equipment menu the game will starts again (which can be very unpleasant during a battle).

Baldur's Gate offers also a multi-players mode. It gives you the opportunity to share the same adventure, with your friends (up to 6) via Internet or in network. The only problem is that the events are the same ones as the one player game.If you have already finished the game or if you are well advance into the adventure that can be less interesting.

The graphics are very beautiful (a little in the Diablo style but much richer) and the special effects are quite good (snow, rain, magic). The music plays also a significant role in this kind of game, and its very well done (as when it accelerates during a combat).

Although fantastic, Baldur's Gate is not for everyone. This game requires much attention and takes more than 160 hours to complete. If you like games with lots of action and less text I must advise you that Baldur's Gate may not befor you. But if, on the contrary, you want to embark in an fabulous adventure which will keeps you awaked until 4 in the morning, check out Baldur's Gate you will not regret it.

Company :
Interplay
www.interplay.com

Category :
Role Playing Game

NOTES:

Interest : 94 %
Control : 90 %
Graphics : 90 %
Sound : 88 %
Originality : 90 %

TOTAL : 92 %

Requirements :

Operating System:
Windows 95/98

Processor:
Pentium 166MHz or better

Memory:
32 MB of RAM

Hard Drive:
300MB

Sound Card:
16-bit Windows compatible sound card

Video:
2MB SVGA video