Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear

 PC
  • Publisher: Beamdog
  • Release Date: Mar 31, 2016
User Score
3.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 577 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 194 out of 577
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 577
  3. Negative: 353 out of 577

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  1. jprepo1
    Oct 1, 2017
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Poorly written, very, very buggy, and pretends to be a socially conscious by writing characters in the most token way possible, inadvertently being disrespectful.

    The game is extremely linear, with almost no choices to actually be made, removing a lot of player agency.

    It also goes back and rewrites some characters, such as Safana, for being not PC enough, which is pretty disrespectful to the source material.

    Oh, and they're begging for good reviews on their forums, which, as you might expect, should be a huge warning sign.

    Has potential, but the developers need to fix their bug and get a whole heck of a lot less preachy.    … Expand
  2. kelvincasing
    Mar 3, 2018
    2
    It's sad that this expansion had so much to recommend it, like original voice actors returning and some nice nods to other beloved Infinity Engine games. Sure, there are technical bugs and issues, but that could have been addressed.

    The problem is that Beamdog seems to have confused talented writing with an ability to spout propaganda like a wonky fire hydrant. To be honest, I could    It's sad that this expansion had so much to recommend it, like original voice actors returning and some nice nods to other beloved Infinity Engine games. Sure, there are technical bugs and issues, but that could have been addressed.

    The problem is that Beamdog seems to have confused talented writing with an ability to spout propaganda like a wonky fire hydrant. To be honest, I could live with the propaganda if the writing was otherwise excellent - but it isn't, so I won't. Five gibberlings with a busted typewriter could do better if given sufficient time and a potion of mind focusing.

    Also, appealing for fake positive reviews, if true, is shameful behaviour from a developer. So is trying to write off players with valid criticisms of the game's technical and creative issues as bigots. Beamdog seems to love a cliche - so I'm surprised they haven't heard that "the customer is always right!".    … Expand
  3. Saber-Scorpion
    Apr 6, 2016
    2
    Pros:
    - Some of the old voice actors are back.
    - The gameplay is still pretty much Baldur's Gate, which is of course fine. Cons: - Most of the other new voice actors are pretty bad, and every line is voiced now for no reason, unlike in any other Baldur's Gate game. - There are quite a few bugs, and many previously-working mods are currently broken. - Many changes to the user    Pros:
    - Some of the old voice actors are back.
    - The gameplay is still pretty much Baldur's Gate, which is of course fine.

    Cons:
    - Most of the other new voice actors are pretty bad, and every line is voiced now for no reason, unlike in any other Baldur's Gate game.
    - There are quite a few bugs, and many previously-working mods are currently broken.
    - Many changes to the user interface and graphical style are unwelcome. Some can be disabled in the options, but most cannot. Many of them are there to hold the player's hand, and feel distinctly out of place.
    - The storyline plays fast and loose with established lore and characters, at best. At worst, the writers use it as a soapbox for political commentary on modern themes like gender politics and the refugee crisis. And the iconic character Minsc now gets to spout Internet memes. How wonderful.

    This feels more like fan fiction than a genuine entry in the classic Baldur's Gate series. It wasn't needed. I recommend just playing the original games as they were meant to be played.    … Expand
  4. Medowin
    Apr 4, 2016
    2
    The graphics for the game somehow managed to be WORSE than the original due to terrible line filters on the sprites. The length of the campaign is extremely short and the characters are so terribly written that it's cringeworthy and is completely irreverent to established characters.

    If you were hoping this campaign would revive the Baldur's Gate franchise, think again. What a terrible    The graphics for the game somehow managed to be WORSE than the original due to terrible line filters on the sprites. The length of the campaign is extremely short and the characters are so terribly written that it's cringeworthy and is completely irreverent to established characters.

    If you were hoping this campaign would revive the Baldur's Gate franchise, think again. What a terrible insult to a once great game.    … Expand
  5. tiblimoni
    Apr 3, 2016
    2
    Baldur's Gate was good as it was.

    There's no need to endlessly add to a nearly perfect game. Stop milking the cow before it's starting to be embarrassing. This expansion is mediocre and therefore, given the superb sage told in Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, quite misplaced. It is not entirely bad, but it doesn't deserve to carry the name Baldur's Gate. It simply doesn't. Either play the    Baldur's Gate was good as it was.

    There's no need to endlessly add to a nearly perfect game. Stop milking the cow before it's starting to be embarrassing.

    This expansion is mediocre and therefore, given the superb sage told in Baldur's Gate 1 and 2, quite misplaced. It is not entirely bad, but it doesn't deserve to carry the name Baldur's Gate. It simply doesn't.

    Either play the original games (-- I do love the enhanced editions by the same team --) or play newer RPGs like the Witcher.    … Expand
  6. syn_dreams
    Apr 4, 2016
    2
    The game is buggy.
    The graphics are terrible
    The writing is atrocious.
    The devs are rude.
    In other words; go play the original Baldur's Saga if want to actually enjoy your time in the world.
  7. Copestetic85
    Apr 5, 2016
    2
    It plays like a Baldur's Gate game. That's about it. Story's kind of boring, and getting quite a few bugs; save often. There also seems to be some sort of political "agenda" being pushed. I don't care much about all that, though. Just kind of bad compared to the originals ( non-enhanced ).
  8. Scotsmn1
    Apr 5, 2016
    2
    Boy, what a rollercoaster. I played BG1 as a young adult and enjoyed it, then a few years later played BG2 and absolutely loved it. Much later, Beamdog came out with the enhanced editions, and I liked the way they just fixed them up a bit, increased resolution, stuff that improved the games without taking away what made them the classics that they are today. That’s why when I heardBoy, what a rollercoaster. I played BG1 as a young adult and enjoyed it, then a few years later played BG2 and absolutely loved it. Much later, Beamdog came out with the enhanced editions, and I liked the way they just fixed them up a bit, increased resolution, stuff that improved the games without taking away what made them the classics that they are today. That’s why when I heard Beamdog was going to be making a game that sat in between 1 & 2 I was thrilled. They respected the previous games and had demonstrated they could get things done, so I came into this with high hopes of hitting that nostalgia button while being introduced to a new and hooking story. Well… for the most part I was disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, there were some parts of the game I truly enjoyed and the humor was pretty good, but the downsides of this game left a bad taste in my mouth overall. It’s quite buggy, which to be fair, is something a lot of games tend to be these days when they come out, so it’s a minor gripe. But, what bothers me the most is that parts of the game felt forced. I sorta had the feeling I was being led by the nose instead of being able to explore the world as I chose. The options presented during a lot of the dialog felt a bit flat and restrictive (not all, some of the writers were better than others). Overall, the story just felt like a let-down. It wasn’t bad, but considering the time between the last game and this one, the vast pool of ideas that could have been come up with during this time, it simply didn’t deliver in the way I had hoped. Also, and you have probably heard this in other reviews, there was a liberal/political slant to this game that I didn’t find attractive. I tend to be a conservative person, and with the inclusion of gay and transsexual characters I felt like the game was trying to force me into accepting this, not just in the game, but outside of it as well. That can taint an experience, and it tainted mine. The female NPCs are not likeable at all in that they are trying very hard to force dominant personalities onto them. It’s not necessary. Anyhoot, for the more liberal minded people out there, the game might be worth the $20 since hey, it’s all the Baldur’s Gate you’re getting, lackluster writing or not. For me, I’m just disappointed that Beamdog had to go there and make this a political type of game instead of concentrating on interesting story and FUN.… Expand
  9. Etherlad
    Apr 5, 2016
    2
    Gamebreaking Bugs, hamfisted Story, bad Voiceacting and terrible Story.
    This is not what Baldurs Gate-Fans deserve. Best to keep sticking to the classics and Mods.
  10. TrueGamer81
    Jun 17, 2016
    1
    I understand a lot of people are taking exception to the "SJW" agenda perceived in the game. The problem is I've heard some gamers use "SJW" and "leftist" almost interchangeably. Well I want to clear something up: I'm a leftist, I am an actual leftist and despise SJWs and their divisive, self-righteous, identity politics laden, petty bourgeois rhetoric. Just thought I'd point this outI understand a lot of people are taking exception to the "SJW" agenda perceived in the game. The problem is I've heard some gamers use "SJW" and "leftist" almost interchangeably. Well I want to clear something up: I'm a leftist, I am an actual leftist and despise SJWs and their divisive, self-righteous, identity politics laden, petty bourgeois rhetoric. Just thought I'd point this out because I don't want people to associate true left-wing politics with little crybaby liberals, and I certainly don't want the political left associated with this awful, awful game.

    That is all.    … Expand
  11. Steyraus
    Feb 27, 2020
    1
    I was insanely excited back when this game and the re release of Baldurs Gate was coming out. Then after playing them and learning they had completely re written the originals and this new chapter was a woke, activists wet dream all my interest in the future of this franchise was depleted..
    Why couldn't they leave Baldurs GAte alone, the story was finished and the whole experience was    I was insanely excited back when this game and the re release of Baldurs Gate was coming out. Then after playing them and learning they had completely re written the originals and this new chapter was a woke, activists wet dream all my interest in the future of this franchise was depleted..
    Why couldn't they leave Baldurs GAte alone, the story was finished and the whole experience was beautiful..Now there's a gay orc constantly trying to sodomize you and dialogue straight out ot the feminist hand book.    … Expand
  12. sperril
    Apr 4, 2016
    1
    Well, I wrote a long review that gave the game a 3 and said specifically that I didn't care about the political debate one way or the other. My bad review was based on the terrible writing. The jarring use of modern slang taking the gamer out of the immersion of the well developed universe. I also praised this DLC for it's fantastic voice work. But my review, which was number 3 on theWell, I wrote a long review that gave the game a 3 and said specifically that I didn't care about the political debate one way or the other. My bad review was based on the terrible writing. The jarring use of modern slang taking the gamer out of the immersion of the well developed universe. I also praised this DLC for it's fantastic voice work. But my review, which was number 3 on the most helpful list last time I looked, has been deleted without any comment from metacritic. I put a lot of time and thought into it. I'm not going to put that much into it a second time. Changing the score to a 1 and moving on.… Expand
  13. Saturday
    Apr 4, 2016
    1
    From a game POV this project is a mess. A cash in and a tarnishing to the Baldurs Gate IP

    1 Lots of bugs , the bugs have bugs. 2 Writing by someones infant weened on cringy daytime TV 3 Looks worse than the modding communities efforts 4 It breaks many mods 5 Not true to the lore 6 Multi player does not work Only reason it is getting a 1 is because David Warner (Irenicus) is    From a game POV this project is a mess. A cash in and a tarnishing to the Baldurs Gate IP

    1 Lots of bugs , the bugs have bugs.
    2 Writing by someones infant weened on cringy daytime TV
    3 Looks worse than the modding communities efforts
    4 It breaks many mods
    5 Not true to the lore
    6 Multi player does not work

    Only reason it is getting a 1 is because David Warner (Irenicus) is back and also does a voice set.

    Avoid    … Expand
  14. SansVitriol
    Apr 5, 2016
    1
    Don't believe the astroturfing here, this expansion is rotten. No one likes forced agendas, but that aside, the writing in this is simply terrible. Avoid, even if it's free (your time has value, this expansion doesn't).
  15. AwesomeButton01
    Apr 9, 2016
    1
    Summary: The only valid reason to spend money on Siege of Dragonspear is if you are looking for an Infinity Engine dungeon crawl, and are completely immune to irritation on account of its linearity, limited freedom of travel between areas which runs counter to the Baldur's Gate tradition, embarrassingly bad writing, and to top it off - an uglified 'enhanced' user interface.

    I spent some    Summary: The only valid reason to spend money on Siege of Dragonspear is if you are looking for an Infinity Engine dungeon crawl, and are completely immune to irritation on account of its linearity, limited freedom of travel between areas which runs counter to the Baldur's Gate tradition, embarrassingly bad writing, and to top it off - an uglified 'enhanced' user interface.

    I spent some time wondering if this game was even worth writing about at all. In the end I thought people should at least be forewarned of what expects them in this paid mod/DLC.

    Siege of Dragonspear's only redeeming value is the Infinity Engine and its combat. That's about the only thing that has not been tainted by Beamdog's incompetence in every aspect, and has even been somewhat improved by tailoring combat encounters, and AI scripting.

    That's about the only good news though. The Baldur's Gate games have always been the most open-ended of the Infinity Engine games, up until the rushed Throne of Bhaal, allowing you a lot of freedom in which area you'd visit and which quest you'd approach next. The designers at Beamdog however decided to make their own lives easier at the expense of gameplay, and have made Siege of Dragonspear a railroaded, linear slog through each large area and multiple smaller areas connected to it. This reminded me of a game that I and a team of students I had never met in person had to put together in a week's time for a software academy course - sure, our game had to run from the windows command prompt, but the gameplay was pretty much the same - you move from room to room, kill the enemies and can't go back. I didn't expect to get the same kind of gameplay from a purported "Baldur's Gate expansion".

    Regarding writing - my opinion is if you're looking for good writing in computer games, you're better off reading a book, or playing one of select few adventure games (Grim Fandango and The Longest Journey are the first that come to mind). Sometimes however there are writers so ignorant of their own lack of talent and so full of themselves that the results of their labor deserve a mention in a review.

    Most people talking about the writing of SoD concentrate on specific instances which caused outrage for various reasons. However I do not think he problem with the game's writing is the themes, sadly it's far more basic - it's the inability of the writer to create distinctive characters, even after such characters have been served to her on a silver platter with the BG license. Playing the game just a couple of hours beyond the starter dungeon nets tens of examples of:
    - Every last female character of any importance speaks with the same vocabulary, uses the same sort of "witty responses" and sarcasm, and its language is stylistically indistinguishable from the next.
    - Every female character is obligated to express her superiority to men at every opportunity, in general or in particular - whether that be her father, her boyfriend, her traveling companion (Dynaheir/Minsc), or a male PC. Examples range from Corwyn's daughter, to Skie and her father, to Viconia and some generic duergar friend of hers who serves no other purpose except for her to spite him, to the Safana and Coran exchange. You don't even have to look closely for those examples.
    - Minsc has to act as if he's signed a contract with a hamster pets shop chain, by which he is bound to mention Boo in literally, and I mean literally, every other sentence that comes out of his mouth. The Boo jokes are so overdone, that as much of a fan as you could be, you could seriously grow to hate Minsc by the end.

    This inability to draw distinctive characters generally speaks of lack of good literary examples and culture around which a distinctive writer's style could develop, and lack of personal experience with and understanding of real-life people. I'm sorry, but the writing team in this game is worthless as a writer and should never have been let near SoD's script.

    So, what exactly is left of a Baldur's Gate game when you remove the cheerful high fantasy atmosphere and characters, and the open world? Character progression and combat, supposedly. As for character advancement - if you start at the XP cap for BGI (160,000) you may only advance by two levels in SoD (up to 500,000 XP). Most of character customization comes from items you find in shops and in dungeons. Unfortunately combat in itself isn't enough motivation for me to play through this game, especially since this is not all that a Baldur's Gate game is supposed to be.

    As a D&D and Infinity Engine games longtime fan, SoD was a huge disappointment for me. The more you care about the series, the less I could advise you to buy this so-called expansion. Really a paid mod with a fanfic-level of writing, and some above average dungeon crawling, lasting between 15-20 hours on Core Rules/Normal difficulty.    … Expand
  16. whyteabro
    Apr 4, 2016
    1
    Ripoff that, for reasons unknown, is called expansion pack. With no new sprites, models and so on. Full of bugs and glitches. Truly a shameful attempt of reviving BG, that is. Boycott Beamdog's products.
  17. wallfrog
    Apr 11, 2016
    1
    Pros: Its Baldur's Gate, kinda... I guess? Combat hasn't changed too much, so that helps a bit.

    Cons: Oh Gawd, the writing... much of it isn't just fan fiction quality, its BAD fan fiction quality. I was writing stuff at this level in middle school ffs. Its like they're being bad on purpose. What else..., oh bugs galore. Crashes, slow downs (didn't they swap to a new engine?),    Pros: Its Baldur's Gate, kinda... I guess? Combat hasn't changed too much, so that helps a bit.

    Cons: Oh Gawd, the writing... much of it isn't just fan fiction quality, its BAD fan fiction quality. I was writing stuff at this level in middle school ffs. Its like they're being bad on purpose.

    What else..., oh bugs galore. Crashes, slow downs (didn't they swap to a new engine?), disappearing NPCs (or teleporting, they come and go at times), borked quests, and my personal favorite, missing save files. Thanks so much for wasting 7 hours of progress, Beamdog. Much    … Expand
  18. Joewashere
    Aug 22, 2019
    1
    Modernity is a tribe of pygmies furiously trying to bury the Giants that came before them so as not to feel inadequate. It is sad to see Baldur's Gate name associated with this trash, but what can you do? It seems in the Current Year, games made in Canada have a 'Duty of Care' and social responsibility to be retarded, losing Beamdog the hope to make Bladur's Gate III in the process.Modernity is a tribe of pygmies furiously trying to bury the Giants that came before them so as not to feel inadequate. It is sad to see Baldur's Gate name associated with this trash, but what can you do? It seems in the Current Year, games made in Canada have a 'Duty of Care' and social responsibility to be retarded, losing Beamdog the hope to make Bladur's Gate III in the process. Congratulations to Larian Studios.… Expand
  19. AtlasA
    Jul 3, 2021
    1
    Weak story compared to original BG. Poor writing and characters. Quick buck by using an established franchise name?
  20. Skulb
    Feb 1, 2017
    0
    Remaking an all time PC classic into linear, poorly written and completely unnecessary LGBT indoctrination? Yeah, there's only one score one can give this drivel...
  21. MRGamer
    Apr 14, 2016
    0
    Beamdog, all you had to do was treat the original game with respect, and any reasonable attempt at an expansion would have sold hand over fist day one. Instead, you had the nerve to "fix" what was not broken, and add unnecessary elements that detract from the game and change beloved core characters from the original. When you reflect on this as a business decision, realize that you lostBeamdog, all you had to do was treat the original game with respect, and any reasonable attempt at an expansion would have sold hand over fist day one. Instead, you had the nerve to "fix" what was not broken, and add unnecessary elements that detract from the game and change beloved core characters from the original. When you reflect on this as a business decision, realize that you lost sales, not because of the supposed political drama and shortcomings of customers' worldviews, but simply because you deviated from an original IP that was a sure thing. In my case, I am a long time fan of the original games, and hold them in such esteem that I will not suffer an expansion that is not true to the original. I chose to get a refund on Steam for this reason. I had modest expectations for this expansion, and would gladly have purchased it, but Beamdog could not leave well enough alone and just take my money.… Expand
  22. Oskorei
    Apr 15, 2016
    0
    There's two main things wrong with this add-on:
    1. Shallow story filled with blunt propaganda. That's what happens when you hire teen fairy girl/trans to write story for serious game.
    2. Lack of Baldur's Gatish feeling. It's not Baldur's Gate anymore, everything just screams about it. In the result there's no atmosphere, no reason to play. I'll better go and play original series for the    There's two main things wrong with this add-on:
    1. Shallow story filled with blunt propaganda. That's what happens when you hire teen fairy girl/trans to write story for serious game.
    2. Lack of Baldur's Gatish feeling. It's not Baldur's Gate anymore, everything just screams about it. In the result there's no atmosphere, no reason to play.
    I'll better go and play original series for the tenth time.    … Expand
  23. Joseman
    Apr 4, 2016
    0
    Unfortunately, this is a buggy and poorly written DLC for Baldur's Gate which delivers nowhere near the quality of the original game. Add in extremist political views forced into the game, and this is something that is not recommended.

    The developer has allegedly asked for fake positive reviews, so beware.
  24. cdrwrecorders
    Apr 4, 2016
    0
    Well, this is disappointment. PT, BG, Arcanum... those were the times. I always had a soft spot for 2D cRPGs. And now we get more after success of Pillars of Eternity. I was so happy to see new BG. But then i played it. The writing... the bugs...
    This is not worth any time and any money. Go buy or replay old games. You will have more fun.
  25. KrekkaBlade
    Jun 9, 2016
    0
    I could look past all the technical issues and questionable design choices, but the writing is simply horrid.

    Safana's "transformation" of character is, simply put, retarded and inconsistent, the game is very linear (unlike true Baldur's Gate games), sometimes the Chaotic Evil characters aren't offered dialogue options that suit their alignment and on top of all these glaring issues,    I could look past all the technical issues and questionable design choices, but the writing is simply horrid.

    Safana's "transformation" of character is, simply put, retarded and inconsistent, the game is very linear (unlike true Baldur's Gate games), sometimes the Chaotic Evil characters aren't offered dialogue options that suit their alignment and on top of all these glaring issues, they have the guts to mock their own playerbase.

    This is not Baldur's Gate, as you might've guessed reading the other reviews. If Beamdog wants to force their agendas in a game, they should do it in a series of their own. I hope WotC takes their rights to the BG franchise back, because Beamdog has neither the skill nor the knowledge of how to do a proper fun, well-written RPG.    … Expand
  26. Leprykon
    Apr 7, 2016
    0
    Beware, this is not Baldur's Gate game. It's a technical mess with broken interface, very unstable (I literally can't name a recently released game crashing as often as this one) and with some fine, cult-level brainwash attempt for a good measure. Clearly made by people, who know everything is problematic and they have to point it all out, so they couldn't be asked to fix the bugs. I wouldBeware, this is not Baldur's Gate game. It's a technical mess with broken interface, very unstable (I literally can't name a recently released game crashing as often as this one) and with some fine, cult-level brainwash attempt for a good measure. Clearly made by people, who know everything is problematic and they have to point it all out, so they couldn't be asked to fix the bugs. I would give it a 1, bc technically it does run, albeit for unpredictable and rather short periods, but terrible, anti-consumer behavior of devs post-release, makes me retract one point.… Expand
  27. Unseen57678
    Apr 6, 2016
    0
    Soooo many glitches. Maybe it'll be fixed eventually, but for now stay away, save corruption is everywhere and it makes playing rather pointless.
    Even if you do manage to play, you quickly find that the writing is nowhere near the quality of the original. How do you slide backward when you have 10+ years to improve?
  28. theirrelephants
    Jun 4, 2016
    0
    The rewriting of character's personalities to fit the studio's political ideologies was disgusting enough (looking at you too, "Shadow Warrior"), but the fact that the rewriting wasn't even competently done makes it unplayable. I've been able to put up with hamfisted ideological self inserts by developers before and still enjoy a game, but I simply can't do it here. The writing is justThe rewriting of character's personalities to fit the studio's political ideologies was disgusting enough (looking at you too, "Shadow Warrior"), but the fact that the rewriting wasn't even competently done makes it unplayable. I've been able to put up with hamfisted ideological self inserts by developers before and still enjoy a game, but I simply can't do it here. The writing is just that awful. Honestly, in some parts of it I found myself wishing that I was playing Dragon Age: Inquisition instead. Jesus Christ.

    I won't say anything about the numerous gamebreaking bugs or awful UI, because everyone else has already mentioned that.

    Basically if you want to enjoy baldur's gate, just download the original and use Tutu. This 'expansion' won't tickle your nostalgia button, it will enrage it. Stay far away.    … Expand
  29. NaotaChanel
    Apr 5, 2016
    0
    Shoving "transgender" propaganda down peoples throats
    Bashing the original game and attacking the gamers who love it.
    Beamdog has hit a new low in game development.
    Their bullying should not be allowed to stand.
    Boycott any future products from these absolute nightmarish excuses for human beings.
  30. Vordrak
    Apr 5, 2016
    0
    This is a difficult one.

    I played the original Baldur's Gate back in the late 90s / early noughties, when I was still at University. It is a game I have never forgotten - in fact, even today nearly 20 years later I still have saved character files from the original CD-ROM version of the game. Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition was an opportunity to allow fans to relive a great game, but    This is a difficult one.

    I played the original Baldur's Gate back in the late 90s / early noughties, when I was still at University. It is a game I have never forgotten - in fact, even today nearly 20 years later I still have saved character files from the original CD-ROM version of the game.

    Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition was an opportunity to allow fans to relive a great game, but sadly it has added little to the franchise whilst there have been many complaints of bugs.

    Even so, I decided to give the new expansion Siege of Dragonspear Keep a fair try as it was on offer. After buying and installing the game, I fired it up. My first concern was that I still cannot import my characters from the original Baldur's Gate. A casual forum search reveals that this is by no means an uncommon problem and has been known about since 2012. For a product that owes so much to nostalgia, that is no minor flaw.

    The expansion coincides with the 2.0 patch for the 'Enhanced' version of the game. Unfortunately new settings introduced for animated characters are, to put it kindly, unaesthetic. Users have described this as making the game look worse, although it should be noted that the settings can be turned off.

    Finally, the writing in Siege of Dragonspear is clumsy in the extreme compared to the original. The game's writing includes a certain amount of political comment - not in itself unwelcome in any artistic genre. However, the heavy-handed preachiness is unwelcome as is the impression of an unfamiliarity with the game's setting. There is a jarring disconnect between the original game and the new DLC.

    As I already own a copy of the original game, I am left with the feeling I have gained nothing from my purchase other than wasted time and annoyance.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
79
#79 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. CD-Action
    Jun 29, 2016
    75
    Living up to such legacy seemed impossible but Beamdog understands Baldur’s Gate and created a game true to the original. Unfortunately along with the party you need to gather a band of patches, because bugs are crawling all over the place. [06/2016, p.40]
  2. Games.cz
    May 18, 2016
    70
    Decent expansion to the classic RPG, which -in addition to the inevitable technical limitations- suffers mainly due to the uneven quality of the script. All in all, it is a very good excuse to once again venture into the world of Faerûn.
    Read full review
  3. Pelit (Finland)
    May 9, 2016
    80
    Beamdog’s expansion embraces both the past and the present. The adventure is inconsistent, ragged and the script could be a lot better, but at its best Siege of Dragonspear captures the essence of Baldur’s Gate - even if fleetingly. [May 2016]
See all critic reviews »