Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter

 PC
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. IGN
    86
    Still the best video game music anywhere, and the narration is sheer perfection.
  2. Da Gameboyz
    84
    If you prefer the simple hack n' slash action almost on par with "Diablo 2," Heart of Winter might just suffice.
    All this publication's reviews
  3. GameSpy
    82
    This expansion pack is worth every last cent to a fan of Icewind Dale.
  5. Computer Games Magazine
    80
    This add-on won't win over any new converts, but it will keep the old ones happy. That is what expansions are really all about.
  6. Adrenaline Vault
    80
    Being able to go back and play through the original with an increased resolution, new spells and additional items is truly fantastic, as is the number of tweaks done to the various class abilities.
  7. Daily Radar
    75
    So good, veterans may be tempted to replay the whole game from the beginning...a fine product. Unfortunately, the new areas add only about 15 hours of gameplay. While short for a full game, it is a tolerable length for an expansion.
    All this publication's reviews
  8. GamePower
    75
    Technically speaking, one of the most important things this expansion pack does is bring Icewind Dale up to visual par with "Baldur's Gate II."
    All this publication's reviews
  9. Electric Playground
    75
    The numerous engine tweaks, the engaging new story and the insane challenge of the Heart of Fury mode make HOW a very appealing expansion.
  10. Gamezilla!
    72
    It only offers about 15-20 hours of play on its own. One can only fight so many undead creatures before getting tired of it. This is not a game for the casual RPG player.
  11. PC Gamer
    72
    Some good fun to be had here; just odn't expect an RPG revolution. [May 2001, p.80]
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  12. ActionTrip
    72
    Small innovations and enhancements are sure to attract people who were thrilled with the original game, but are highly unlikely to attract anyone else.
  13. All Game Guide
    70
    Ultimately, the story makes the game, albeit with interspersed and occasionally annoying action sequences. But each combat has a purpose, which makes gameplay challenging and rewarding.
  14. Happy Puppy
    70
    What? That's it?...The above text is not a direct quote from my last date, but rather my initial reaction to finishing this fun, but brief, expansion pack.
  15. Yahoo!
    60
    Short.
  16. GameSpot
    57
    It's a short-lived, uninspired addition to Icewind Dale that costs nearly as much as the original game did and requires that you have the original installed; yet it offers only a fraction of Icewind Dale's value.

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Best PC Game of 2001
88
#88 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 68 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 68
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 68
  3. Negative: 3 out of 68
  1. KaiEkkrin
    Jun 24, 2011
    8
    The expansion to Icewind Dale, this was criticised at launch for tedious areas with lots of the same enemies. It's true that the Gloam FrostThe expansion to Icewind Dale, this was criticised at launch for tedious areas with lots of the same enemies. It's true that the Gloam Frost is a slog. However, there are some truly exciting moments, too: the Cloak Tower (?) wizards, the white dragon. It gets an 8 for the Trials of the Luremaster expansion -- a free download if you bought this, and a wonderful little knot of storytelling.… Full Review »
  2. Magnethead
    Jul 12, 2015
    7
    This is a worthy expansion that adds enough to be justified and doesn't dissolve into a series of mage on mage high level battles with spellThis is a worthy expansion that adds enough to be justified and doesn't dissolve into a series of mage on mage high level battles with spell thrusts and boring time stops. The story is cool and even though a major part of the game is a strange, unattached quest line in an entirely different location, it's also a fine story in itself.

    If you liked the original game, you'll almost certainly also like this.    … Full Review »
  3. lifeofbrian
    Oct 11, 2014
    7
    Icewind Dale is a pretty impressive game, but the only thing that Heart of Winter really adds to that is Heart of Fury mode and a number ofIcewind Dale is a pretty impressive game, but the only thing that Heart of Winter really adds to that is Heart of Fury mode and a number of additional spells. Yes it adds its own campaign (as well as ToTL) but it is very short and the storyline is lacking compared to the original game. I'd probably give it a 7.5 as expansions go, but since some have given it an inexplicable 9 I'm giving it a 7 over an 8.… Full Review »
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