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BioWare is intent on returning you to a world of fantasy filled goodness with Baldur's Gate 2, a game based on the AD&D 2nd edition ruleset and set in the Forgotten Realms universe. For those of you who have trouble adding 2 and 2 and not getting 4, Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn is the sequel to the popular Baldur's Gate, one of my favorite RPGs in existence (as opposed to those that were banished to other dimensions). Now you're going to get the chance to return to the Sword Coast, except this time the stakes are higher than before, and so is the power your characters can attain. Any good RPG needs an intriguing story to get the ball rolling and give you a reason to set out on your adventure, and Baldur's Gate 2's story definitely fits the "intriguing" description.
Quick Peek:
The sequel to the wildly successful Baldur's Gate is jam packed with goodies that will keep you adventuring for weeks on end, though some breaks for important functions (i.e.: eating) are recommended.
Release Date:
Fall 2000
Developer:
BioWare Corp.
Publisher:
Black Isle Studios
Homepage:
Baldur's Gate 2
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A group known as the "Shadow Thieves" decides they have a hankerin' for a different kind of loot, and end up kidnapping you and some of your friends. One of your first hurdles to leap over will be escaping your captors, because the game isn't based around sitting in a jail cell making witty and snide remarks to your companions (for the literary knowledgeable among you, that means the game isn't a fantasy version of a Raymond Carver story… for the rest of you who aren't familiar with his work, just assume that's a really, really funny joke).
After you make your escape, the game could go in just about any direction - but one thing is for sure, if the gameplay and adventuring can match what Baldur's Gate had, then BG2 will be a success. If, however, it can exceed Baldur's Gate by introducing players to tougher combat at higher levels in a larger game world, then there is no doubt in my mind BG2 will be one of those games I'll buy before ever reading a review or trying the game out at a friend's house.
While we like to think that those of us at 3DGN have mental abilities far surpassing the average Joe (or Suzy), a line is drawn at having psychic ability, and we've yet to predict features in a game with 100% accuracy. Because of that, we convinced Ben Smedstad, producer at BioWare, that granting us an interview would be doing the mentally disturbed a great service, and that it could be written off on his taxes. With that in mind, we figured he wouldn't shun us for asking the following: "Can we (3DGN) make a cameo in BG2? We're prepared to offer LOTS of money. I have $4.25 on me right now to give you an idea just what we have to offer." Unfortunately, our offer was declined after some nervous laughter:
"LOL. Actually we have a contest going right now (check out the Interplay web site) which you can enter. The contests is basically to write up a 200 word or less description of your favorite pen and paper character and send it in to be judged by myself and a few others. The winner will have their character put into BG2. BTW is that $4.25 American? That's like 50 bucks Canadian isn't it =b"
We're still planning on submitting 3DGN Dude, the official character that represents our staff, but right now we are waiting on a portrait painting of a one eyed llama from our artists, and then you can bet we'll send in our sure-to-win entry!
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