Introduction (skip if not interested
):Unlike some people here, I was convinced from the very begining it was a good idea. Why? Because I think almost every npc could be a good romance option - it only depends on who do you play, more precisely, on the mixture of your class and alingment. When playing a female chivalier (or what-it's-english-name-is
), your PC is not going to be atracted to Yoshimo, who is a thief, a crook and so on. The best choice here is Anomen, whatever his personality is. But, different PC - different most "suitable" NPC. That's how I see it - a human LG Lathander priest could have a crush on Viconia, a big one, for he would want her redeemed, but an elven mage would scorch her on sight OK, on to the mod.
1. technical remarks.
Negative: Nothing, really. When Edwin starts conversation, because his soundset is not made for romance, the dialogue appears with one of his usual sounds. It can be annoying sometimes, when he says something nice (yes, he does, later on!) and the sound is "Go and weary someone else" (translation, not literal quotation). Maybe there is some way to change that, but it's a detail. There also are some people we meet during the romance. They all have portraits - that's OK for important ones, but the boy that comes to say "this way, miss" and then vanishes should not have one. Like someone said here on the forum, only really important people have portraits in BG.
Positive: The mod is well done, I experienced no bugs, no problems at all with installation and so on. It offers to restore Edwin's previous portrait if you want to (I didn't), includes a nice tune backgrounding all the romance conversations, and added items have very good drawings - only slightly different than original BG ones. There are journal notes that refer to the romance, and good ones, too. Translations on French, Russian and Spanish included. The French one seemed good, others I cannot test
. I also find a great idea that PC's intelligence must be over 14.2.The gaming content.
Well, every romance for females is nice to see, women being always the ill-treated ones
. Especially those that are fun to play, and this means Edwin romance. Possibly, the Edwin we see in the mod is not how the developers have seen him, but he's a damn good Edwin all the same. Actually, he is exactly how I imagined him before playing the mod. It's an immature and self-obsessed personality all right, but he can't hide his feelings, whatever they are, thus making many occasions for the playeress ( ) to go 'ooh, how sweet' and generally bringing a good mood. The romance advances nicely and quite logically, with Eddie becoming more and more fascinated with Lady Bhaalspawn and showing that in many Edwin-like ways. The only weak points I found were:- a dream he has, and tells about. I don't belive he would have a dream like that, no matter his state of mind.
- being said that he was already interested in PC during BG1. IMHO, it spoils the well-built progress of the romance.
- Edwin's statement in hell was not changed, and IMO, should be.
The conversations are extremely funny, and the dialogue options for PC let us really take part in them, not only to say "how horrible!" or "I understand". The mod is also quite heavy on the 'physical contents' of the romance, which is a nicely refreshing approach to the so-called "feminine needs" :devil:. Whipped cream is actually mentioned! (not my style, but a bow to Anomen thread ladies). Eddie's banters with Vic and Mazzy are nicely adjusted to the romantic situation, and bring much satisfaction to the playeress, who should otherwise be furious about them.
Generally, the mod is excellent work, hilarious, interesting, and offering some decent suprises.
Good grief, I think I got a little carried away... if nobody makes it to the end of the post, I won't be angry
