[PC/iOS/Android] Baldur's Gate 1 & 2 Enhanced Editions

[Autistic Angel]

if BG:EE does well, there could be an ID:EE in the cards, with full use of the classes & kits from BG2:ToB.  they also approached EA about Ultima, but were told 'no thanks'.

Yeah, EA doesn't want to risk diluting the brand by reminding people how it used to be relevant.

-Autistic Angel

[JCC]

EA can blow me.

I can't believe they own the rights to System Shock and Ultima and are doing nothing with them. (I'm sure there are plenty more I am not thinking about.) They are well on their way to ruining Bioware (if you don't think they already have).

[morlac]

EA can blow me.

I can't believe they own the rights to System Shock and Ultima and are doing nothing with them. (I'm sure there are plenty more I am not thinking about.) They are well on their way to ruining Bioware (if you don't think they already have).

Hey now when you make a deal with the Devil, you don't blame him when you go to Hell.

[kronovan]

Oh God, don't get me going on the IPs EA owns and has crammed somewhere in a deep vault. With what Microsoft came up with for the latest iteration of Flight Simulator, I'd love to stop EA let Flight Unlimited out and give it to a competent studio. They've started to dust off the Janes flightsims they've hoarded; unfortunately with shoddy, craptastic results. I can't ever remember all the dormant PC IPs EA owns, but I'm sure if they were all listed there'd no doubt be more than a few surprises.

[Roguetad]

I can't believe they own the rights to System Shock and Ultima and are doing nothing with them. (I'm sure there are plenty more I am not thinking about.) They are well on their way to ruining Bioware (if you don't think they already have).

EA would turn both games into first person shooters, with integrated mobile device apps (bought seperately) that will add experience points and loot back into the main game.  If you want to fully maximize your SP experience, you will either have to play a couple of weeks worth of MP matches, or play the official iOS apps.  Also, both games will have many critical decision points that will seriously impact the 2 endings for each game. 

[CeeKay]

PC pre-purchase is up for the September 18th release.

[Laner]

Looks like you gotta use their Beamdog distribution platform... I think I'll wait to see if it eventually shows up elsewhere.

[CeeKay]

yeah, not too thrilled about needing a seventh gaming client installed.

anyways, crossplatform play verified.

#bgee will have co-op multiplayer and will work across platforms. iPad can play with Android, Mac and PC. On happy gaming family:-)

[Roguetad]

Directly from their website:
"Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition for Windows will be available as a direct download from Beamdog, with no client install necessary. Pre-purchasing will allow you to preload the game, so you can access it immediately after release."

It looks like we don't need to install their Beamdog client.

[EddieA]

They've posted some screenshots at the official site.

[hepcat]

I can't decide whether I want this on PC or on iPad 2.  Arrggghhh....don't give me choices, life!!  You know I'll choke every time!

[CeeKay]

I can't decide whether I want this on PC or on iPad 2.  Arrggghhh....don't give me choices, life!!  You know I'll choke every time!

You could buy both; play a good character on the pc and an evil one on the iPad.

[Gratch]

I can't decide whether I want this on PC or on iPad 2. 

Same here.  Are the versions identical, or do you get more on the PC side?

[Destructor]

I can't decide whether I want this on PC or on iPad 2. 

Same here.  Are the versions identical, or do you get more on the PC side?

The PC version comes with everything (including DLC) for $20. The iPad version costs $10 up front, but has $10 worth of DLC so you get can get everything the PC version has if you want to pay for it.

In short, both versions are identical if you pay the same price. But then again, for $10 on the iPad, you end up with the complete BG1 experience that the PC version had many years ago.

[KC]

Does anyone have hands on experience with the Ipad version?  Will it be easy to control?

[CeeKay]

DELAYED! 


until November 30th.

[Bullwinkle]

Oh, man.  Talk about a last minute pull out.

[JCC]

So in November BG1 EE is coming out. Have they hinted when BG2 EE  is coming out? I originally thought this was a 2 in 1 deal, but their forum FAQ indicates otherwise.

[ANZAC]

"You must gather your party before venturing forth." 

[CeeKay]

new interview with a quote about BG2:EE:

“We are committed to doing Baldur’s Gate 2: Enhanced Edition,” he says. “The instant Baldur’s Gate is completed most of our team is ready to start work on [it], with a couple holding back to continue to add features and support the fans...We're planning on shipping [it] in 2013, hopefully before the end of summer. I want to enjoy some sun this year - 2012 was a write off.”

[morlac]

Even better is this quote:

"After that though, who knows? Oster has said before that he’d like to create Baldur’s Gate 3. But that’s down to how all those PC gamers and casual iPad players like the first two.

“What comes after that is completely dependent on the success of the Enhanced Editions. We're big RPG fans and we want to keep making RPGs as long as possible,” he says.

Even if he can’t make entry number three, Oster just hopes Baldur’s Gate’s return will bring immersive gaming back to the mainstream."


Ummm yes please.

[Roguetad]

Affirmative. I hope the enhanced editions do well.

[Gratch]

iPad version delayed a week...didn't make it through Apple's certification process due to a crashing bug.

That can't be a good omen.

[Roguetad]

iPad version delayed a week...didn't make it through Apple's certification process due to a crashing bug.

That can't be a good omen.

Uh oh.  It's weird that they haven't had any early reviews to help generate some positive buzz.  If I were them I'd show it off to everyone I could so they could see the difference between this version and the one on GoG. 

[KC]

Anyone pick-up the PC version and can share their impressions?

[Roguetad]

Anyone pick-up the PC version and can share their impressions?

I've been keeping an eye on their official forums, and they seem to be sorting through a lot of issues with the PC version.  I don't enjoy having to install lots of mods (GoG version), especially having to mess around with game file directories, so I'm hoping BGEE is successful.  I'd like to see BG2EE in the future too.

[Bullwinkle]

I took the plunge.  Copied over my save directory to the appropriate place and it doesn't work.

It sees the saves, but the game hangs when trying to load them.

I really don't want to start over.

[morlac]

Downloading now, albeit slowly.  Will report back laters.

[Roguetad]

I downloaded it earlier today.  Everything works well.  No issues so far.  I completed the tutorial and started a new game.  Major nostalgia.  It's been fun choosing a class, lots of options.   

[wonderpug]

I just cannot decide between PC or iOS!

[morlac]

I downloaded it earlier today.  Everything works well.  No issues so far.  I completed the tutorial and started a new game.  Major nostalgia.  It's been fun choosing a class, lots of options.   

I had the disappearing mouse cursor bug which caused me to kill task.  It was patched a hour later, I kid not.  The only other issue is trying to decide which freaking awesome class to play.  I spent hours last night rolling up Skalds, Wild Mages, Archers, etc.  Wore out that reroll button, good times.  Diving in a bit more today.

[Appollo]

I just cannot decide between PC or iOS!

In the same boat, leaning towards PC cause mods will probly follow and that is always interesting but half my life these days is spent away from my house with only a ipad for entertainment so...

[Roguetad]

I spent most of my limited gaming time this weekend playing BGEE.  The sad thing is that I've barely touched the story.  I've been rolling up different character classes to relearn the BG D&D ruleset, and then attacking the unlucky tutors and inn patrons in the very first location (after I've saved).  There's a wizard in the inn who has been attacked over and over as I try different classes.  He normally comes out ahead.  Horror followed by Melf's Acid Arrow and Magic Missile is deadly against level 1s. 

My top BGEE class/kits so far:
1.  Half Orc Barbarian wielding a 2 handed sword.  He gibs everything, including wizards that try to cast horror.
2.  Elf Stalker dual wielding longswords.  I forgot some of the things that I used to love about the infinity engine games...like Backstab! DOUBLE DAMAGE!  <Insert Name> Death.  I love how the game engine doesn't just show them dying, they blow up and splatter everywhere.
3.  Human Shapeshifter wearing just a t-shirt and pants...Werewolf!  As cool as the Shapeshifter seems at first, it doesn't look like the class has been fixed.  They're awesome at level 1 though

When I played BG in 1999, my character was a half-elf fighter/cleric.  He was pretty good.  He would normally end up being the last man standing during the tougher fights.  Good times.         
     

[shon]

I just cannot decide between PC or iOS!

In the same boat, leaning towards PC cause mods will probly follow and that is always interesting but half my life these days is spent away from my house with only a ipad for entertainment so...

Just read a review of the iPad version and it sounded like the best version of the game.  There were some interface quirks but nothing that was too bad so I will be picking up the iPad version. 

[Destructor]

Shapeshifter? Stalker? I don't remember that back when I used to play BG1. Are these kits out of the expansions, or is this all new stuff?

[Suitably Ironic Moniker]

Just an FYI, there are apparently some hiccups with the iPad version being approved by Apple, so its release could be awhile.

[Bullwinkle]

Just an FYI, there are apparently some hiccups with the iPad version being approved by Apple, so its release could be awhile.

More hiccups for the iPad version?

[Canuck]

It sounds like the PC version is not as good as the original with mods so it sounds right now like you might only want to buy it if you want to play it on the ipad.

[Gratch]

It sounds like the PC version is not as good as the original with mods so it sounds right now like you might only want to buy it if you want to play it on the ipad.

Not as good...in what way?

I'm still leaning towards the PC version.  I've always struggled getting a bunch of mods to play nicely together and having something with extra content and upgraded graphics out-of-the-box is an appealing idea.

[Roguetad]

Playing on the pc version it seems similar to a modded BGTutu experience.  You get some new npcs and a new fighting arena (Black Pits) with BGEE.  I've done the full mod install before, and I'd rather just fire up BGEE at this point.