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RPGDot Game Rating Machine |
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CosmoD
has rated the following games:
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Baldur's Gate 2 - Shadows of Amn: 9/10 points |
BG2 definitively established the rules for what a "modern" rpg "should" be. I'll explain: 1) Have an open ended play-structure, but give players the sense that they are never lost. Unfortunately, I found the last few chapters in this game drifting towards linearity frustrating. It was like this game was playing like Morrowind and suddenly turning into Final Fantasy. It may not have been my style, but it still worked pretty well plot-wise. I would have liked to have seen the non-linearity hold up through the whole game, though.
2) RTS-style tactical combat. Bioware definately nailed this system of playing for this game. The monsters are varied and tough, so I was definately impressed by the smooth, convincing combat system that Bioware broke new ground with in BG1 and then refined for this game.
3) "Personality" One thing I appreciate in this game is the personality of the NPCs and villains. Bioware took a page from Ultimas in this department. Characters are, for the most part, fleshed out.
4) Beautiful, functionless gameworld. If I can fault BG2 (as with ALL the Bioware games) it's for the lack of a truly interactive game environment. The BG2 gameworld plays like a FPS gameworld- purely fuctional with levers, boxes, keyes etc. Morrowind and the Ultimas had moveable and place-able objects that added countless amounts to the immersion factor. BG2 doesn't- and a lot of times you're just left to stare at the beautiful pre-rendered backgrounds. Which is fine, but it hurts immersion ever so slightly.
5) The Bioware "style". I've played BG1, BG2, Torment, NWN, SWKOR and I find (with Torment being the notable exception) they all sort of have similar broad-appeal in the way their dialogues, plots, quests and overall content are written out. It's at times charming, definately effective, but a little milquetoast and predictable. Only a little, though. BG2 does throw you into really unique and cool situations. Still, there's nothing really disturbing about BG2 (and I personally like when that mood is played up in contrast with less challenging ones). Maybe it's because BG2s mood never plunges into sheer doom and gloom. Maybe it's how the NPCs are always chirpy even in the face of the dark vampire clans in chapter 2. Other games know how to crank up the disturbance factor a lot more effectively and go for better contrast in moods (System Shock 2 comes to mind instantly, but also Wizardry 8 and, to be fair, Torment).
My criticisms only point out my personal preferences for what I'd want in an RpG. For now, though, I'll take BG2s accross the board appeal. In light of current technology and market, no RPG has done so much so well for a single title. In taking its source material and making it into a well-rounded, balanced and engrossing game, Bioware perfected their self-made formula. All good RPGs must be measured against BG2. |
Planescape: Torment: 10/10 points |
Deep roleplaying, original and chilling atmosphere, a fully realized and semi-open-ended world. Furthermore, the story was fascinating- possibly the best RPG story I've ever played through. This is deservedly up there with the pantheon. |
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: 9/10 points |
Brilliantly designed interface. Truly great characters. A nefarious villain. Stellar plot. My two problems? The individual world exploration range is actually somewhat limited (although detailed) and the whole experience, for me, lasted about 30 hours. This game is sweet, but just too short in comparison to the time I logged in for Wizardry 8, Ultima 7, Elder Scrolls 3, etc. Still, this is a class act, all the way. More please. |
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