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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Ukrutor
    Feb 26, 2012
    10
    Best game ever made. 12 years passed and no game is better than BG 2. Hell, no game is even near to be equal to BG 2. Epic story, side quests sending you to deepest dungeons where dragons rule, to another planes of existence, to dark forests and to old ruins under the city of Amn. Each of these places takes several hours to beat, contains epic dialogues and fights, and lets you decide howBest game ever made. 12 years passed and no game is better than BG 2. Hell, no game is even near to be equal to BG 2. Epic story, side quests sending you to deepest dungeons where dragons rule, to another planes of existence, to dark forests and to old ruins under the city of Amn. Each of these places takes several hours to beat, contains epic dialogues and fights, and lets you decide how your actions will afflict the world. You really feel like you are the main hero, you will love or hate your companions, you will wish death to your enemies for all what they've done to you or anyone else. Progression of your party is a masterpiece. Stats, special abilities based on characters history and heritage, hundreds of unique items. Everytime you find something more powerful than you are wearing at the moment, you will be happy. Why are you still reading this and not playing?… Expand
  2. Kharador
    Mar 22, 2012
    10
    Best RPG Ever. This game change my life since I've been played, I love it.
    10 for story. 10 for replayabilty. 10 for combat. 10 for characters. 10 for graphics at the time of release. 10 for entertainment. 10 for addictiveness. 10 for timelessness. 10 for the modding community. Nothing but nothing is in this game's league and I suspect people will be saying the same thing after another 10 years.
  3. Zoso
    Jun 15, 2012
    10
    If this is possible, this is even better than Baldur's Gate.
    Everything has improve, graphics, sound, pathfinding works now - but this is only the technical part.
    Even the storytelling has improved, and that coming from a clear 10.
  4. nibel
    Apr 20, 2012
    10
    A masterpiece. Even though 12 years have passed since its first release, the game still attracts me like no other. The graphics seems immune to ageing, and the sound (both music and voice acting) are extremely suggestive, creating unique atmosphere. The plot maybe is not as complex as this of 'Planescape: Torment', but it's a decent piece of high fantasy. I sincerely recommend this one.
  5. Chaosmaker
    Sep 27, 2012
    10
    After all those years, I still remember the good moments from this game! It was a masterpiece of storytelling, and the engine was a great improvement over BG1. With captivating plot, interesting characters and overall feeling of epicness, this still is a masterpiece. Maybe it didn't age so well, but at its time it was on top of the RPG world and deserves its glory.
  6. Gertona
    May 4, 2012
    10
    I loved ES: Skyrim, and i really enjoyed ES: Oblivion, I liked DA: Origins and I've played a multitude of the most popular MMORPG's like WoW, Rift, Swtor and GW. But all of those games still feel meek compared to the epicness of BG2. The first game in the series is amazing, and because it is the first, it's still closer to my heart, but all in all, BG2 is the best RPG i've ever playedI loved ES: Skyrim, and i really enjoyed ES: Oblivion, I liked DA: Origins and I've played a multitude of the most popular MMORPG's like WoW, Rift, Swtor and GW. But all of those games still feel meek compared to the epicness of BG2. The first game in the series is amazing, and because it is the first, it's still closer to my heart, but all in all, BG2 is the best RPG i've ever played through more than once (i've cleared it more than 4 times with different builds and choices in the romances and main quests) and still the only one i feel like i want to play more, experience more in, and find out even more about the characters in.
    The game can be hard and unforgiving, especially for a player of new-age RPG's, and that is part of it's charm. I still think the graphics are good and the gameplay never felt repetitive since i went through with different characters and party set-up each time.
    All in all, best RPG ever in my opinion, can't wait to see how the updated version will be.    … Expand
  7. Kronos362
    Oct 10, 2013
    10
    Simply the best game I have ever played, second to none. I can't possibly fault this game in any way, it is a masterpiece and will be hard to ever remove from its rightful place at the top of the plinth of PC rpgs.

    All hail the magnificence of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn.
  8. NelsonYoung
    Jun 16, 2012
    10
    Best RPG game ever. No need for too much explain. Epic story, epic combat as well as epic gears. The world is huge, there are so many places waiting you to explore. And there are so many quests, some of them are as long as a independent story, some of them are short but interesting. You can enjoy all kinds of RPG elements in this game, char building, story, squad members, combats puzzlesBest RPG game ever. No need for too much explain. Epic story, epic combat as well as epic gears. The world is huge, there are so many places waiting you to explore. And there are so many quests, some of them are as long as a independent story, some of them are short but interesting. You can enjoy all kinds of RPG elements in this game, char building, story, squad members, combats puzzles etc. People who can finish this game can understand how great it is.… Expand
  9. sherbz
    Jul 15, 2012
    10
    One of the greatest RPG's of all time, pure and simple. If you enjoy a well written story as opposed to flash Graphics then you still cant do much better than this game. Its characters are interesting and full of depth. If there was one thing baldurs gate lacked, it was depth of the characters. But by the end of playing, you feel very atatched to each and every one of them. Its gameOne of the greatest RPG's of all time, pure and simple. If you enjoy a well written story as opposed to flash Graphics then you still cant do much better than this game. Its characters are interesting and full of depth. If there was one thing baldurs gate lacked, it was depth of the characters. But by the end of playing, you feel very atatched to each and every one of them. Its game balance to perfection. Right from the off, you are pitched in to a fast paced and well driven story that ensares and encases you in its world. Its sheer brilliance from start to finish!… Expand
  10. sowingsadness
    Jul 16, 2012
    10
    The best RPG by D&D rules and not only. Awesome world, an infinite number of side quests and several main story lines! It's game have a true atmosphere of adventure!

    Are you think what you know all about BG? No! BG have a thousand secrets.
  11. Ekaton
    Jul 28, 2012
    10
    This game is perfection and shows just how RPG should be done - complex, with wonderful story and characters. None of present games of the genre can even compare to the old ones made by Interplay!
  12. Lokizarro
    Apr 17, 2018
    10
    Still my best game of all time with Dark Souls 1 tailing it. There's nothing else like Baldur's Gate 2, especially nowadays. and I feel that it's highly overlooked by many, possibly due to its genre.

    The level of customisation and deep character and NPC interactions, the variety of play styles, classes, spells, abilities, enemies, bosses and the epic story with fantastic, rewarding, and    Still my best game of all time with Dark Souls 1 tailing it. There's nothing else like Baldur's Gate 2, especially nowadays. and I feel that it's highly overlooked by many, possibly due to its genre.

    The level of customisation and deep character and NPC interactions, the variety of play styles, classes, spells, abilities, enemies, bosses and the epic story with fantastic, rewarding, and compelling side quests to partake in. The amount of spells to play with as a mage alone go into the hundreds, with all of them being unique and many of them having new added effects when you level.

    They simply don't make games like this any more, and with this level of complexity. Pillars of Eternity is a decent effort but I think there's going to have to be a far greater attempt to dethrone this game.    … Expand
  13. Orctownorc
    Oct 7, 2012
    10
    Best Game yet made. Other games have had bigger budgets, more experienced teams, better tech to work with etc etc etc. But no team has eclipsed this game. It is Baldur's Gate 2 that defined Dragon Age Origins as imperfect. BG2 defined Witcher 2 as too small. BG2 declares that Dragon Age 2 is a major fail. Awesome character development system. Awesome world. Awesome exploration. AwesomeBest Game yet made. Other games have had bigger budgets, more experienced teams, better tech to work with etc etc etc. But no team has eclipsed this game. It is Baldur's Gate 2 that defined Dragon Age Origins as imperfect. BG2 defined Witcher 2 as too small. BG2 declares that Dragon Age 2 is a major fail. Awesome character development system. Awesome world. Awesome exploration. Awesome plots and subplots. Yeah a lot of other games get a lot of this right, and a lot of other games come close, but none yet surpass it. Why do we declare Skyrim to be very pretty, but finally soul-less and empty? Because years ago we played a game that gave us so many more memorable moments. Masterpiece.… Expand
  14. The_Tourist
    Oct 12, 2012
    10
    I love this game. I worship it. If ever there was a religion about BGII, I would be a fanatic! But beware, there is a huge huge flaw within.. It raised the standards so much for me back in early 00's, that I haven't been able to really play any other crpg after that. Maybe the first installment of Dragon Age had something of BG feeling, but every other crpg looks so shallow.

    If there is    I love this game. I worship it. If ever there was a religion about BGII, I would be a fanatic! But beware, there is a huge huge flaw within.. It raised the standards so much for me back in early 00's, that I haven't been able to really play any other crpg after that. Maybe the first installment of Dragon Age had something of BG feeling, but every other crpg looks so shallow.

    If there is any rpg lover left who hasn't played it, buy it, download the 2 most famous MODS (Shadows Over Soubar, and The Darkest Day), add them (they expand the game with tales from R.A.Salvatore's books, Drizzt D'Urden etc and double the size of it) and prepare to lose a couple of months of your life...    … Expand
  15. Ghostte
    Oct 12, 2012
    10
    My favourite game of all time. If you are an American RPG fan and you havn't played and loved this game then you probably don't exist. BEST GAME EVRAAAR
  16. Ferrante
    Nov 27, 2012
    10
    Well, some people say Nostalgia is the cause of the big score for BGII. That people is wrong. I knew this game 1 and a half year ago and I'm sure this is the best game I have ever played. It has some minor issues, but its design, gameplay, graphics (for the time it was made), and sound are flawless. It even can be played in Windows7 without problems, in 1650 resolution. If you have notWell, some people say Nostalgia is the cause of the big score for BGII. That people is wrong. I knew this game 1 and a half year ago and I'm sure this is the best game I have ever played. It has some minor issues, but its design, gameplay, graphics (for the time it was made), and sound are flawless. It even can be played in Windows7 without problems, in 1650 resolution. If you have not played it before, make it. If you did, do it again.… Expand
  17. iseeall
    Jul 29, 2013
    10
    Together with Fallout 2, easily the best role-playing game ever. It fixed anything that was sub-perfect in BG 1. To play it on today's machines, be sure to install the patches and mods from the community (e.g. to make the resolution fit the one of your monitor).
  18. brindle88
    Nov 29, 2014
    10
    This game along with the first in the series have a special place close to my heart.

    Rich in depth, interesting story, power progression, options, forgotten realms lore, great characters, great places to explore, fun combat. The only fault about the game is that there wasn't enough of it, I wish there was more place to explore on the world map. All in all thank you so much to the    This game along with the first in the series have a special place close to my heart.

    Rich in depth, interesting story, power progression, options, forgotten realms lore, great characters, great places to explore, fun combat.

    The only fault about the game is that there wasn't enough of it, I wish there was more place to explore on the world map.

    All in all thank you so much to the people who made this game you will go down in history as having created the benchmark that all rpgs are based on. Please make something similar again!    … Expand
  19. valentino
    Jan 10, 2014
    10
    Best game ever made for the PC. It makes such a difference when important characters have talented voice actors. What I think also makes a difference is that the player character is actually part of the story, not just some mercenary who was "mentioned in the scriptures that were foretold". You know the kind of crap that developers try get away with when they lack creative talent. TheBest game ever made for the PC. It makes such a difference when important characters have talented voice actors. What I think also makes a difference is that the player character is actually part of the story, not just some mercenary who was "mentioned in the scriptures that were foretold". You know the kind of crap that developers try get away with when they lack creative talent. The music is beautiful and enhances the atmosphere of this game. They just get everything "right" basically, very little is out of place. That's kind of why major modifications for this game were always mediocre at best.… Expand
  20. Jaz
    Feb 23, 2013
    10
    The best cRPG ever (along with Planescape Torment). So the question is: Why, oh why, they don't make games like that anymore? What happened to those people who made games like BG2 and Planescape
  21. Daneoid
    Mar 7, 2013
    10
    Quite simply the best CRPG ever made, Bioware at their best. Exceptional gameplay, story, content, art design and voice acting. Long, long campaign filled with interesting characters and side quests. As close to perfect as gaming gets.
  22. nomanredd
    Mar 20, 2013
    10
    My all time favorite game. I have spend at least 200 hrs on this one. There are tons of reviews out there but all I can say is that it is the best RPG of all time. The gameplay is superb and the characters are memorable. I can see myself playing this game even im another 30 years if I am still alive by that time hehe. The thing about this game I really like is this is the first game thatMy all time favorite game. I have spend at least 200 hrs on this one. There are tons of reviews out there but all I can say is that it is the best RPG of all time. The gameplay is superb and the characters are memorable. I can see myself playing this game even im another 30 years if I am still alive by that time hehe. The thing about this game I really like is this is the first game that actually captured the complexity of D&D. Diablo 2 was great but it pales in comparison to baldurs gate in terms of complexity. Diablo 2 is the mainstream RPG that focus in mindless hack and slash. The game is text heavy and you have to actually think to actually get things done. Actions also have consequences and killing a NPC can mean not being able to take a certain quest or missing out on some reward. And going back to complexity, you have to really understand how the game works to even make a good character build and build for your other characters that can make or break a party in many fight scenes. And you have to understand how teamwork/strategy should be employed else your characters are dead in no time. This game is not for the simple minded.… Expand
  23. Genesis2010
    Apr 10, 2013
    10
    This is the Citizen Kane of PC gaming. It is even better than Fallout 1 and it is 100x better than any RPG that get out since then. Student will study this game in classic class 75 years from now. Masterpiece.
  24. FriedGoose
    Apr 11, 2013
    10
    Baldurs Gate: Perfection. In every way imaginable; i would never consider writing a review for a game, but the love and admiration towards the finest game of my generation deserves one. This game truly, has everything.

    You really cannot find a negative, for what is now almost fifteen years later STILL considered the finest RPG to ever exist. The story, the characters, all become reality    Baldurs Gate: Perfection. In every way imaginable; i would never consider writing a review for a game, but the love and admiration towards the finest game of my generation deserves one. This game truly, has everything.

    You really cannot find a negative, for what is now almost fifteen years later STILL considered the finest RPG to ever exist. The story, the characters, all become reality to you. An endless adventure with characters you feel afterwards had been life long friends, prepare to spend weeks sleepless, planning your next adventure.. Going on quest after quest trying to find the perfect six to complete the dreaded quests only you could conquer.

    Play it properly, complete it. Side quests after side quest, explore every where there is to explore. Hundreds of hours gameplay, which never seems to bore.

    Best RPG of all time? Obviously.

    Greatest game of all time? Quite possibly..    … Expand
  25. BlackWidow
    Apr 25, 2013
    10
    This is the best RPG ever made, period. The quests, variety of play, romances, memorable characters and their interactions, strongholds, the ending epilogues depending on the choices you made during the course of the game and much more. The list of good points just goes on and on. Also, with certain mods, the game is even better. Not repetitive, lots of replay value. I have nothingThis is the best RPG ever made, period. The quests, variety of play, romances, memorable characters and their interactions, strongholds, the ending epilogues depending on the choices you made during the course of the game and much more. The list of good points just goes on and on. Also, with certain mods, the game is even better. Not repetitive, lots of replay value. I have nothing negative to say about this classic masterpiece. A must for any RPG fan. 10/10.… Expand
  26. Josh947312
    Jun 2, 2013
    10
    Definitely one of the best rpg's ever created. I received this game as a birthday gift when it first came out. At that time I was still relatively new to rpgs. I didn't really have time for anything but rts' as far as I was concerned. Even before installing this game though I was instantly impressed. I just couldn't put down the manual until I actually installed the game. After that IDefinitely one of the best rpg's ever created. I received this game as a birthday gift when it first came out. At that time I was still relatively new to rpgs. I didn't really have time for anything but rts' as far as I was concerned. Even before installing this game though I was instantly impressed. I just couldn't put down the manual until I actually installed the game. After that I couldn't put down the game. From character creation on I was fully immersed. The voice acting was awesome. First running into Minsc is still one of my favorite character introductions of all time. Everything about this game was awesome. The amount of lore for the items and various books throughout the game was incredible. I'm still of the opinion that NPC's and party interaction have never surpassed this game. The replay value is extremely high with all of the different party variations, classes, and in-game decisions...Throw in incredible amounts of mod options and you will enjoy this game for a very very long time.… Expand
  27. gracjanski
    Dec 11, 2014
    10
    Just finished it some days ago. It is really the best RPG ever: Story 1st class, gameplay complex. Some mistakes in the controlling and overview (over the many spells f.e.).
  28. Zarniwooop
    Sep 13, 2013
    10
    There will never be a single player RPG this exceptional again.

    It's absolutely perfect, and it pains me that the greatest RPG I will ever play in my life is behind me. Its strategic, the story is fantastic, the characters are marvelous, the game systems are stupendous, the quests are unbelievable, and I wish the Bioware that made this game still existed instead of the Bioware that    There will never be a single player RPG this exceptional again.

    It's absolutely perfect, and it pains me that the greatest RPG I will ever play in my life is behind me.

    Its strategic, the story is fantastic, the characters are marvelous, the game systems are stupendous, the quests are unbelievable, and I wish the Bioware that made this game still existed instead of the Bioware that makes passive entertainment.

    If you're on the fence and you love RPGS, just but it. You will be so glad you did.    … Expand
  29. GeekusPrimus
    May 28, 2016
    10
    This has become one of my all-time favorite games. The story is good, but you'll probably get so sidetracked doing fun side quests for goodies that you'll forget there is even a main quest. The characters are fun, and the game is serious when it needs to be and humorous when it can be. Combat is addictive. It is challenging enough that you feel like a boss when you win, but fair enoughThis has become one of my all-time favorite games. The story is good, but you'll probably get so sidetracked doing fun side quests for goodies that you'll forget there is even a main quest. The characters are fun, and the game is serious when it needs to be and humorous when it can be. Combat is addictive. It is challenging enough that you feel like a boss when you win, but fair enough that you never give up in total defeat when you lose. On the surface, it seems like a simple matter of getting the best equipment and winning the dice rolls, but you begin to see that there is actually a lot of strategy involved. It's a masterpiece that every semi-serious gamer needs to play at least once.… Expand
  30. Scorebot
    Aug 22, 2013
    10
    Do you enjoy deep and rich story-lines? Do you like making ridiculously powerful characters? Do you enjoy a plethora of side-quests? Do you enjoy creating 50 different characters whom all interact with the world differently? Do you like berserkers armed with miniature giant space hamsters? If you answered yes to any of the following well...you should already have this game to be honest. IDo you enjoy deep and rich story-lines? Do you like making ridiculously powerful characters? Do you enjoy a plethora of side-quests? Do you enjoy creating 50 different characters whom all interact with the world differently? Do you like berserkers armed with miniature giant space hamsters? If you answered yes to any of the following well...you should already have this game to be honest. I purchased this game 15 years ago and I still play it as if it still has that new game smell to it. I could go in depth as to all the reasons why this game are great but mere words simply do not do this game justice. This is something you simply have to experience to fully appreciate. The only downside to this game is that the path-finding leaves much to be desired and oftentimes your characters get lost walking in a straight-line. Thankfully any member of the Radiant Heart or the Cowled Wizards, the in game law officials, who approach you to ask for a breathalyzer test can be struck down with lightning, or better yet, turned into a squirrel. If you enjoy or even dabble in RPG games This is a must buy, twice if you possibly can.… Expand
Page:

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.
See all critic reviews »