Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn

 PC
User Score
9.2

Universal acclaim- based on 1654 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,520 out of 1654
  2. Mixed: 53 out of 1654
  3. Negative: 81 out of 1654
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  1. Rikoll
    Aug 21, 2023
    10
    A timeless RPG masterpiece, where captivating story meets deep gameplay. Characters you'll love, hate, be indifferent to, or find annoying, all with engaging dialogues that enrich your journey.
  2. Slaran
    Jan 15, 2023
    10
    Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn is a masterpiece of a game and is the best RPG I have played so I give it a score of 10
  3. Liquid_Cold
    Aug 1, 2023
    10
    Превосходное продолжение полюбившейся игры, ставшая классикой жанра.
  4. chosenam
    May 29, 2023
    10
    The sense of immersion in the game has increased sixfold by directly controlling a number of jobs, not playing one main character
  5. nomysz
    Aug 20, 2023
    10
    Excellent! Completed numerous times and spent hours playing with different characters! Polish dubbing was perfect at that times and is known to current days!
  6. Keron_Heruman
    Aug 23, 2023
    10
    The best game of always. Superior in all aspects than the spectacular original BG.
    The characters are absolutely incredible, I'll always remember them.
  7. Melowyn
    Aug 24, 2023
    10
    Han pasado muchísimos años y todavía sigo pensando que es una obra maestra
  8. TC
    Apr 8, 2002
    9
    There's a learning curve in there, although you can just pick up and play. Once you get to grips with spellcasting, and understand combat effects better - then you're completely hooked. The game is brilliant. I can't give it 10, because nothing is ever perfect. But this is close, real close.
  9. TimothyW.
    May 27, 2004
    9
    When i got the game shortly after its release, I swear i heard a choir of angels. This is easily one of the best CRPGs ever made. Not the best, but it comes darn close.
  10. EmanuelS.
    Aug 15, 2004
    9
    This game has only two very small problems with it: 1. The portraits suck 2. You get some warning messages far to much. Besides that it is everything you need from a game! It is AWESOME!!!!
  11. [Anonymous]
    Oct 1, 2002
    9
    THE DWARF! is possibly the coolest looking character (and my favorite). Not only the dwarf but the halfling, and elf. The Half-orc is a nice feature as well as the prestiege classes. I love how they kept the d20 system and I have never beaten the game. I think just making a new character is fun enough that I don't want my characters adventure to end.
  12. MikeW.
    Mar 26, 2002
    9
    This game rocks, it is just a bit confusing to get used to. I havn't played this game for that long, and I am confused as hell, and I am just starting to get used to it.
  13. BillDoor
    Apr 11, 2008
    9
    The only reason this game is not a 10? A few bugs that caused me to re-load old saves and re-do some tough spots. The patches MOSTLY cleared things up, but a few broken plot lines and a vanishing item glitch caused much undo frustration. All fixed with a re-load but irritating none the less. In the year 2008, I still play this game often.
  14. AstralMolary
    Mar 10, 2011
    9
    This is the best RPG, in my opinion. Great plot, excellent characters and very interesting gameplay. Just play it and you'll see for yourself. Unfortunately, right now Bioware is unable make something like it. We can say thanks to EA.
  15. Kazee
    Feb 12, 2012
    9
    No game since has given me the experience of BG II. That might be nostalgia talking, but this game, while definitely dated by today's standards, is one of my all time favorites.
  16. SJ_pl
    Jan 31, 2012
    9
    I don't consider this to be the best game overall. It doesn't have the best graphics, quite good but not tremendus audio and I haven't followed the plot quite carefully. Nevertheless, it's the ONLY game so far that I've finished... three times in a row! And it's a RPG!

    Yes, it's been a while ago and yes - there weren't so many games around but still. The level of depth that this game    I don't consider this to be the best game overall. It doesn't have the best graphics, quite good but not tremendus audio and I haven't followed the plot quite carefully. Nevertheless, it's the ONLY game so far that I've finished... three times in a row! And it's a RPG!

    Yes, it's been a while ago and yes - there weren't so many games around but still. The level of depth that this game offers was unprecedented at that time. I could play a game over and over again taking different decisions, different companions and have a lot of fun doing it. The amount of possibilities seemed endless and I haven't spend half a year playing a single player game since.    … Expand
  17. google_calasade
    May 27, 2011
    9
    Until the Witcher 2, this was the best RPG I've ever played. Stellar for its time, it is still as good today (though the graphics have aged). Its storyline is awesome as are the NPCs and the quests you will take. It has perhaps the best villain ever in Jon Irenicus. It is challenging, fun and immersive. In fact, it still has an active modding community TEN YEARS after release. ThatUntil the Witcher 2, this was the best RPG I've ever played. Stellar for its time, it is still as good today (though the graphics have aged). Its storyline is awesome as are the NPCs and the quests you will take. It has perhaps the best villain ever in Jon Irenicus. It is challenging, fun and immersive. In fact, it still has an active modding community TEN YEARS after release. That alone should tell you how phenemonal this game is.… Expand
  18. KaiEkkrin
    Jun 24, 2011
    9
    This is the quintessential story-based RPG! It's a shame it's a sequel, with a storyline focused on the villain of the piece (Irenicus) and rather disconnected from the broader tale of the Bhaalspawn (see its expansion pack to continue that). It's also a shame it still uses the yucky D&D 2E rules, although to Bioware's credit they added deeply tactical options to spellcasters onlyThis is the quintessential story-based RPG! It's a shame it's a sequel, with a storyline focused on the villain of the piece (Irenicus) and rather disconnected from the broader tale of the Bhaalspawn (see its expansion pack to continue that). It's also a shame it still uses the yucky D&D 2E rules, although to Bioware's credit they added deeply tactical options to spellcasters only bettered by Dragon Age. Everything else about it is wonderful: huge, deeper story than the first Baldur's Gate and introduction of romance subplots with NPCs (love them or hate them; hint, go for Viconia). A true classic.… Expand
  19. Tarkin
    Dec 16, 2011
    9
    Ya, it's well made, deep, fun etc. But I was quite disappointed by the story, it lacks any cohesion and the conclusion is very cheap. But on the other hand, the side quests or stories or whatever are actually much more better than the main quest line itself.
  20. Parvarteshwar
    Feb 21, 2012
    9
    One of the great classic games. Excellent writing, superb character development, numerous, varied and enjoyable quests. The world is large and detailed, the characters engaging and memorable. The antagonist is one of the most notorious in gaming and the setting is sufficiently epic for a Greek tragedy. The game is not without it's flaws though. At over a decade old, it's visuals have notOne of the great classic games. Excellent writing, superb character development, numerous, varied and enjoyable quests. The world is large and detailed, the characters engaging and memorable. The antagonist is one of the most notorious in gaming and the setting is sufficiently epic for a Greek tragedy. The game is not without it's flaws though. At over a decade old, it's visuals have not aged well and many mods are required to bring it up to the present day, and even then it's not going to be on the same level as current generation graphics. The game is also the third instalment of a four part series so if you haven't played the previous two games you will be a little lost. The game never penalises you but it is designed for an audience from 1999 when the first two games were still popular. There are also a few balance issues with certain classes, with some being completely useless and others being super-powered. But these problems are quickly drowned away, and the masterpiece tells the story of the god-child with epic brilliance. Oh, and the game is very fun.… Expand
  21. Knyte
    Jan 2, 2012
    9
    Still one of my favorite RPG's even with all the current offerings that are vastly superior in visuals. BGII brings exceptional storytelling and character development into a detailed and realized fantasy world with a great and engaging storyline. They just don't make games like this anymore.
  22. Shiki
    Mar 6, 2012
    9
    The last great game from Bioware. 100 hours worth of content if you do all the side quests. Great characters, one of the best villains (Irenicus), epic music, a legendary journey through the forgotten realms, from Amn to the Underdark, a powerful combat system that gives us a lot of variety during fights, having enemies featuring either strong defense against elements, non magical weapon,The last great game from Bioware. 100 hours worth of content if you do all the side quests. Great characters, one of the best villains (Irenicus), epic music, a legendary journey through the forgotten realms, from Amn to the Underdark, a powerful combat system that gives us a lot of variety during fights, having enemies featuring either strong defense against elements, non magical weapon, or magical weapon, immunities to some form of magic, or having unique abilities, like vampire sucking your levels, mindflayers stunning you and killing you faster if you have low intelligence and so on, all coming from the most popular p&p ruleset. A level of variety that has been absent in Biowarian games since then. The only thing that's truly missing from BG2 are the innovations that were brought by Fallout in the form of consequences to your choices, interaction with the world and factions. BG2 missed that opportunity to jump in the new, more evolved computer RPGs bandwagon but even then, it still manages to be one of the most entertaining cRPG in history. I dare say it kept its place in my top ten RPGs, next to Fallout, Arcanum, Bloodlines, Mask of the Betrayer.… Expand
  23. Markos-
    Nov 27, 2013
    9
    This game influenced me so much, amazed me to a point, that it is definitely one of my favourites all-time. It is an improved version of BG1, with another thrilling plot, maybe a bit less interesting than the first.
  24. suneater
    Dec 11, 2012
    9
    This is one of the best games I have ever played. I bought it when it originally came out, loved it then, beat it again last year and still love it. It has very few flaws; the only reason I don't give this a 10 is because of the slow and somewhat overwhelming intro. Fantastic storytelling with an original storyline (no "you are the chosen hero" stuff here), deep & tactical gameplay, and aThis is one of the best games I have ever played. I bought it when it originally came out, loved it then, beat it again last year and still love it. It has very few flaws; the only reason I don't give this a 10 is because of the slow and somewhat overwhelming intro. Fantastic storytelling with an original storyline (no "you are the chosen hero" stuff here), deep & tactical gameplay, and a diverse cast of characters with their own agendas round out a mindblowingly good RPG that has actual roleplaying in it.… Expand
  25. JamesCannon
    Dec 22, 2012
    9
    While this game is great, there are some instances where it will test your patience. First off I dont know how anyone can complete this game without guide. If you did you are one hell of a gamer. The item system is a little too strict. If you do not find one little key or something you maybe screwed. There were a couple of instance where I had re load a saved game because I couldntWhile this game is great, there are some instances where it will test your patience. First off I dont know how anyone can complete this game without guide. If you did you are one hell of a gamer. The item system is a little too strict. If you do not find one little key or something you maybe screwed. There were a couple of instance where I had re load a saved game because I couldnt find some stupid key sitting somewhere. Other than that this is pretty impressive, huge rpg that many of the newer rpgs have copied.… Expand
  26. Rox22
    Dec 6, 2013
    9
    I was utterly in love with this game. I played it for about 6 month solid, exploring every possible story arc. I even had the official walkthrough and it still took 6 months. Wonderful story, beautiful graphics (at the time), a huge cast of deep and well thought out characters. In fact, there is absolutely nothing I can fault this game

    I also have to commend this game for being the    I was utterly in love with this game. I played it for about 6 month solid, exploring every possible story arc. I even had the official walkthrough and it still took 6 months. Wonderful story, beautiful graphics (at the time), a huge cast of deep and well thought out characters. In fact, there is absolutely nothing I can fault this game

    I also have to commend this game for being the first game (that I'm aware of) that had a romance side story that player could choose to have or not with some of the other part members. At them time, this was surprising and a very welcome feature.

    Overall:
    Baldur's Gate 2 is by far one of the most memorable RPGs I have ever played. Few RPGs have and will ever come close to the majesty that is this game.    … Expand
  27. fateappointed
    Feb 3, 2014
    9
    Story: 8 out of 10, Graphics: 8 out of 10, Fun: 9 out of 10, Controls: 8 out of 10, Ease to Learn: 7 out of 10, Length: 9 out of 10, Re-play: 5 out of 10, Value: 8 out of 10
  28. DeusXCom
    Aug 5, 2014
    9
    Fantastic sequel to the ultimate masterpiece, that was the first Baldur's Gate. More content, more levels for your characters, more quests, better resolution etc. everything a sequel should have, even dragons! But honestly, for me, it lacked that otherworldly magic of the first Baldur's Gate for me and my experience here wasn't nearly as strong. I also feel it's a bit overrated and myFantastic sequel to the ultimate masterpiece, that was the first Baldur's Gate. More content, more levels for your characters, more quests, better resolution etc. everything a sequel should have, even dragons! But honestly, for me, it lacked that otherworldly magic of the first Baldur's Gate for me and my experience here wasn't nearly as strong. I also feel it's a bit overrated and my theory is that people who prefer the BG2 to the original played it first, but it's a must play nevertheless, both Baldur's, especially when you can (and should) create your chars in BG and then export them and continue with them in BG 2, this is an incredible saga. The one that wasn't surpassed still to this day and might never be. 9/10… Expand
  29. QweSteR
    Nov 13, 2017
    9
    [9.2] Эпохальное продолжение культовой Baldur's Gate! Сюжет сиквела начинается незадолго после событий предшественника. Потомки Баала стали жертвами экспериментов могущественного волшебника, при побеге из лаборатории преодолеют череду испытаний, а уже на свободе потеряют друг друга, чтобы встретиться вновь и отомстить своим мучителям. Главному герою предстоит отправиться в невероятное[9.2] Эпохальное продолжение культовой Baldur's Gate! Сюжет сиквела начинается незадолго после событий предшественника. Потомки Баала стали жертвами экспериментов могущественного волшебника, при побеге из лаборатории преодолеют череду испытаний, а уже на свободе потеряют друг друга, чтобы встретиться вновь и отомстить своим мучителям. Главному герою предстоит отправиться в невероятное путешествие на поиск сестры, в ходе приключения посетит города людей, лесной город эльфов, морской город сахуагинов, пройдёт в сумраке подземных пещер дроу и иллитидов. Помогать потомку Баала будут старые и новые спутники, а противостоять ещё более свирепые противники. Baldur's Gate 2 предоставляет игроку значительно больший опыт приключения и отыгрыша роли, сюжет и локации насыщеннее, а визуализация качественнее. У игры отсутствуют существенные недостатки.… Expand
  30. Nichsdn81
    Dec 11, 2014
    9
    This is a great role playing game that puts many modern day rpg's to shame. The story and characters are top notch, I couldn't put the game down once i started. The combat is tactical and often difficult which makes winning battles feel rewarding. The graphics will obviously be outdated, the game was released in 2000. If you haven't played this game yet you're missing out.
  31. bskierys
    Jun 18, 2023
    9
    The sequel to the great game, that does better almost everything that made the first game so great. Your companions feel more alive, the story goes global into the heroic tones of fighting half-gods and saving the world.
    The combat mechanics are still a little enigmatic as there are a lot of dice rolling behind your back and stats are not helping if you are not familiar with AD&D system.    The sequel to the great game, that does better almost everything that made the first game so great. Your companions feel more alive, the story goes global into the heroic tones of fighting half-gods and saving the world.
    The combat mechanics are still a little enigmatic as there are a lot of dice rolling behind your back and stats are not helping if you are not familiar with AD&D system. This can get overwhelming especially when you need to level up your character.
    But the story and the atmosphere of classic dungeoning is what makes this game great. You will be visiting big cities, discover dark secrets and completing quests for characters that seem to fit just right into this world.
    There is a lot of reading and the combat is hard to figure out but it is worth it.

    Update after fresh playthrough in 2023: Still the great game but some solutions seems dated. I love the freedom of exploring the first 3 chapters, but the the quests are not connected to world or each other and are quite fetchquesty. With almost every of them, it looks like the designers had one solution in mind (combat usually). It is visible when we compare old quests to the ones added in enhanced edition, as they are usually better. What is more, after playing modern games like Divinity: Original Sin 2 or Solasta, the combat and leveling in BG2 is significantly worse. I quickly resorted to lower difficulty with auto combat. Also, managing equipment is a pain.    … Expand
  32. zimmer600
    Aug 18, 2017
    9
    Real power is eternity, and one who agrees for less, in fact has nothing ...
    Almost above my predecessor in everything. (Still one of the best RPG of the old school).
  33. Lordjosh286
    Mar 9, 2017
    9
    A game that will be forever immortalized in my heart. I grew up playing the original and Shadows of Amn. When I picked up the enhanced edition it brought back the feeling of a well designed top down RPG that gave you a challenge and had you feeling rewarded at the end of the day. All the hours I've poured in this game has been worth it.
  34. Stryker_777
    Jun 23, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I've grown so frustrated with how new games are made. They all seem to follow a formulaic, linear formula with too many cutscenes that take away control from the player, and brain-dead easy gameplay.
    Baldur's Gate II is more engrossing than many newer titles. It feels ahead of its time. It reminds me of the Witcher 3: an open-world game with intricately crafted content, unique encounters, and consequences to your choices.
    These type of RPGs are the hardest to make but they are the best ones. The amount of programming required to give the player so many options and choices is staggering. Its why they don't endeavor to make these type of games anymore.
    The spell system is one of the best things about this game. There are SO many spells, too many spells really, but it allows for endless creativity in battle encounters. I highly recommend playing on Insane difficulty as your characters become more powerful. Some battles will be so difficult until you realize the perfect combination of spells. The combat is more intellectual and strategic than twitchy. If you get used to the pausing you'll become really quick with it like playing an RTS. If you invest time into learning all the spells and powers the combat encounters will always be fun and rewarding.

    The writing is fantastic for an RPG and doesn't take itself too seriously. It draws from so many elements of the D&D universe to create a rich tapestry of adventures, always throwing a suprising and fresh new species, location, or encounter at you. IIts great to read writing from the 90s before everything became tainted by SJW nonsense. The writing is interesting, the stories are strong, and everything's to the point. It doesn't get carried away throwing endless walls of text at you (like PoE which I never liked). The balance between violence and alternate solutions is done very well. There's always an option to just kill everyone but the consequences will mess up your game. Still, its so important that the player CAN do these things. Even if its an illusion of control, its what makes RPGs so immersive.
    They still attempt to make true RPGs like this one with Kickstarter releases and whatnot, but this game is a treasure, this type of effort will never be reproduced. Every moment in Baldur's Gate II is intriguing and interesting and the game never feels generic or shallow, which is so hard to achieve in an open world RPG but this is what they've done here. This game RESPECTS the player and you never see that anymore. Now we're just treated like 8 year olds, given on the rails brain-dead easy gameplay with glowing markers and yellow exclamation points constantly telling you where to go and that to do. And so I have to search the 90s for old games that give me that unfettered feeling I require to enjoy a game.    … Expand
  35. zexxx
    Aug 19, 2023
    9
    Personally, I liked BG1 :-) more than two but that is not to say BG2 isn't amazing as BG1.
    I really think that together they are an epic pair of games that are still unsurpassed in many ways.
    I liked the relatively straight-forward main story with the many supporting stories around it. I like how the world feels and behaves and how well grounded it is. you can get lost in it without    Personally, I liked BG1 :-) more than two but that is not to say BG2 isn't amazing as BG1.
    I really think that together they are an epic pair of games that are still unsurpassed in many ways.

    I liked the relatively straight-forward main story with the many supporting stories around it. I like how the world feels and behaves and how well grounded it is. you can get lost in it without being reminded you're playing a game (story-wise).

    The graphics and visual style of this game are very similar but improved over BG1. as with BG1 I think they hold up very well due to their design how they are presented. this true for sound as well.

    I love BG2 for all the reasons I loved BG1. it's a deep RPG with great mechanics and implementation. it's not held back by trying to say something about modern times or trying to echo present day issues in the game. the story and world takes priority and it shows. I love it.

    It's a legendary game any RP fan should play.
    *I use RP liberally as I like most RP games whether they are D&D based on things like Disco Elysium    … Expand
  36. bananabrainok
    Mar 20, 2022
    9
    Minx and boo.

    Loved this game. Best story telling and exploration at the time.

    Had so much fun building classes, DnD vibes are spot on.
  37. Yaav13
    Apr 7, 2022
    9
    My truthful honorable incorruptible conclusive rating of this considered game: 9.
  38. Gazownik
    Jun 8, 2022
    9
    Really cool game because it was fun and the story was really interesting.
    Dialogues were in my native language so it was an amazing experience back when the game was released.
  39. PR9Gaming
    Aug 12, 2023
    9
    The only reason this doesn't get a 10 is having to deal with 2nd edition dnd's quirks in a high level campaign, so they get way more exaggerated than the first game. Still great as I did a playthrough in 2023 and had a ton of fun.
  40. UrchinChieftain
    Aug 29, 2023
    9
    One of the best RPGs ever made, it was genre standard, with a great immersive world, interesting companions, and Quests.
  41. BartlomiejM.
    Nov 24, 2007
    8
    Game is too long and it's too complicaed. Too few areas. BG and IWD wrere beter.
  42. Logicalknight
    Nov 19, 2010
    8
    I have never played a game that can recreate my expectations of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign better. The detailed effort that went into the design of the game, as well as BioWare's well-written storyline, help to create a decidedly epic experience. Firing off spells, charging in with tower-shields, the learning curve broadly slopes as you progress through the tutorial and you're metI have never played a game that can recreate my expectations of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign better. The detailed effort that went into the design of the game, as well as BioWare's well-written storyline, help to create a decidedly epic experience. Firing off spells, charging in with tower-shields, the learning curve broadly slopes as you progress through the tutorial and you're met with your first worldly challenges.

    The choices that you make, as most Bioware games will teach you, do effect your journey. Though no matter the choice you'll always find yourself with battles to fight and dungeons to delve. In regard to the user interface of the game itself, the seemingly complex can often be learned and utilized to carry out a number of different actions. A broad array of abilities which will help you to react to the diverse, often difficult campaign. If you're creative and *do* manage to master the interface, you'll find that Baldur's Gate II: Shadow's of Amn isn't as difficult as your friends may say.    … Expand
  43. shkipermann
    Feb 25, 2023
    8
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  44. ChrisB.
    Aug 30, 2003
    7
    Great graphics and very good backround sounds. Note: If you liked this one try the expansion.
  45. TelyS.
    Aug 24, 2005
    7
    Be prepared to walk. And walk and walk and walk. While the voice acting is of fine quality, that doesn't make it any less annoying, especially Minsc...
  46. RedKey
    Mar 7, 2013
    6
    IMO this game is overrated. I do not like the combat system because I often have to pause in the middle of combat to give orders to multiple characters. I also didn't find "a wizard stole my soul" to be that great of a story.
  47. 666dame
    May 9, 2015
    5
    I really cannot understand all of the praise which this game gets, in my opinion it is average at best.

    A poor storyline, sub par graphics (even for when it was released nearly 15 years ago), terrible voice acting, painful inventory system. There are some redeeming features, such as the hard battle encounters, numerous side quests and the large number of characters, but they just cant    I really cannot understand all of the praise which this game gets, in my opinion it is average at best.

    A poor storyline, sub par graphics (even for when it was released nearly 15 years ago), terrible voice acting, painful inventory system. There are some redeeming features, such as the hard battle encounters, numerous side quests and the large number of characters, but they just cant make up for all of the other disappointing aspects. I have finished the game twice now, with a gap of over 10 years in between, and it hasn't aged well.

    Considering this was released around the same time as classic RPG's such as NWN, Morrowind, FFX, Dark Cloud, Shadow Hearts, I have no idea how it is so revered, but everyone has their own opinion.    … Expand
  48. CenkAlp
    Jan 3, 2018
    5
    Hikaye = 8
    Oynanış = 4
    Grafikler = 4
    Sesler = 4
    Keyif = 4
    Atmosfer = 6
    Süre = 4
  49. redsky1205
    Jul 10, 2018
    3
    game system is very difficult and battle has so slow tempo, it's boring. also story is not fun to me. so I don't like this game.
  50. PhilipD.
    Oct 17, 2008
    2
    Oh. I really am annoyed about this. I bought it with intentions of getting sucked into the game like money into a vacuum cleaner but it just didn't work. Time and time again I have come back to this game, spending hours playing it and trying to get into the story. I can see why people like this game so much- once you get past the shell of this game I'm sure there are emotional Oh. I really am annoyed about this. I bought it with intentions of getting sucked into the game like money into a vacuum cleaner but it just didn't work. Time and time again I have come back to this game, spending hours playing it and trying to get into the story. I can see why people like this game so much- once you get past the shell of this game I'm sure there are emotional plot twists, epic fights and pants of +3 healing... but what a shell to crack. I mean, I keep playing this game, sitting down for several hours, failing at enjoying it then going off for a stab at Oblivion or Deus Ex instead. Don't get me wrong- I do try. I spent £20 on this game, after all. I have a horribly powerful urge to play this game every couple of months (much as I do with the Sims) but once it's loaded up, I look at its pixelated graphics and sheer... dullness and give in. I'm going to say LOOK OUT. If you don't mind spending a whole day or so getting into it I'm sure there's a fantastic game underneath. However, if you're anything like me you'd be better off with a game which pays off sooner. A game like Baldurs Gate is missing from my life but at the end of the day, it isn't meant to be. Great music, though.… Expand
  51. Rusharn
    Oct 9, 2014
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am unsure why this game gets so much acclaim. This gate is the worst elements of a home brew table top game with a sadistic GM tossed into on massive punishing Video game. Flaws I found with the game:

    1) If you are continuing from Balder's Gate All your gear is taken and any acts taken there are irreverent in BG2. I.E. Characters that where dead can be alive and living characters can be suddenly dead.

    2) Dreaded Cut scenes that can whisk away party members without you being able to put up a fight, or place your party in disadvantageous positions at the start of a major combat.

    3) The story becomes increasingly convoluted including some of the most annoying RPG video game tropes such as being captured without a fight multiple times, bosses escaping when defeated multiple times, Super mages at every turn, Constant reminders that you must hurry yet few things in any are time sensitive, random punishment from social guardians, death of the main character mean you lose even in a world that has resurrection, Character interaction quests and dialogs show up randomly if at all, and ambiguous alignment changes. All of this serves to destroy any emersion in the game world.

    4) Not being able to finish side and romance quests if you complete the main story line.

    5) Weapon proficiency system that has so many categories that if selected wrong can discourage you from using some of the best weapons in the game.

    6) A terrible story line that has material that was dated even from when this game was released back in the day.

    If you are intent on playing this game save yourself some agony, go online and find a walk through or strategy guide so you know what quests will lead you where so you can to everything you want in a way that won't drive you nuts. Also installing some community mods helps with some of the issues, but all in all it is a mess of a game.

    There are some mechanics changes that were good such as ammo stacking to 40 items a slot, and bags of holding, potion pouches, scroll cases, and other such items to keep your inventory clean. But none of these make up for the punishing slog that is BG2. Honestly save yourself some time and play something else.    … Expand
  52. Theonewithpants
    Dec 9, 2002
    1
    Argh, i really couldn't get into this game. bad visuals, bad sound, voice acting very bad, side quests suck the fat one, overall overhyped.
  53. gecko007
    Nov 6, 2016
    1
    This game is awful,its doenst matter in what settings i play ! doesnt matter what i do ! its always laggy ! GOD ! EVEN IF I PLAY WITH NO SOUNDS, NO GRAPHICS, WITH NOTHING ! THE GAME STILL LAGGY ! being a old game is not a excuse since i eve play fallout 1,2,deus ex all that games run smooth.

    i already try every **** thing to make this game stop laggyng:Disable hardware accelaration,run    This game is awful,its doenst matter in what settings i play ! doesnt matter what i do ! its always laggy ! GOD ! EVEN IF I PLAY WITH NO SOUNDS, NO GRAPHICS, WITH NOTHING ! THE GAME STILL LAGGY ! being a old game is not a excuse since i eve play fallout 1,2,deus ex all that games run smooth.

    i already try every **** thing to make this game stop laggyng:Disable hardware accelaration,run other compatibility,ddraw fix,generalized briffing,increase priority,turn everything on low.NOTHING WORKS ! my pc is very good should be running this **** game at 8.000 fps with no framedrops.

    INFINITY EGINE IS THE WORST ENGINE EVER !!!!    … Expand
  54. AlexM
    Oct 2, 2009
    0
    Simply awful game compare to Neverwinter Nights , TES Morrowind , Diablo , Diablo 2 and other brilliants of RPG gengre.
  55. WillD.
    Dec 29, 2001
    0
    Quite easily, the worst game ever.
  56. mr8kc
    Sep 9, 2020
    0
    I can think of no finer way to waste your days than sidequesting your way through the Forgotten Realms. This game is immense, and doesn't punish you for doing it your way. Incredible.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best PC Game of 2000
3
#3 Most Discussed PC Game of 2000
1
#1 Most Shared PC Game of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
95

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Antagonist
    98
    I'd like my life back, Black Isle.
  2. Electric Playground
    95
    For the first time in a single player game, I truly felt I was playing my way through a pen and paper fantasy campaign.
    Read full review
  3. GamePower
    100
    It's not just vast, but flooded with quests and side adventures. There is always something to do in this game and, after that, there's always something more.
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