Is this game worth bothering about?

Naffnuff · Post by **Naffnuff** » Wed May 30, 2007 12:58 am

I'm used to the Baldur's Gate series, and I know this game is more about dungeon crawling and less about dialogue and story. That aside, is it any good? Is the fighting similar, with nice tactics and all that? Is the atmosphere nice?

kmonster · Post by **kmonster** » Wed May 30, 2007 5:09 am

It's better than the BG series. Just a few things important for marketing are missing, therefore the lower success.

Naffnuff · Post by **Naffnuff** » Wed May 30, 2007 6:02 am

Ok, cool, I'll give it a try then. Thanks!

mr_sir · Post by **mr_sir** » Wed May 30, 2007 6:03 am

kmonster wrote:It's better than the BG series. Just a few things important for marketing are missing, therefore the lower success.

Personally I wouldn't say it is better than the BG series, but it certainly is a very good game, one that I often find the urge to reinstall and have another run through. The dialogue is there, the story is very well thought out and written, and although linear, it does not feel like "just another dungeon crawl". The only major difference between IWD and the BG games is the lack of joinable NPCs, but it is also a lot of fun to be able to create your own band of adventurers from scratch and take them through the entire game

Its definately a game that is worth having and is far better than many other games on the market

DaveO · Post by **DaveO** » Wed May 30, 2007 9:17 am

In my opinion, this game is worth your 'price of admission'. Good story, good dialog, interesting quests(some are character specific and others have funny dialog), memorable characters and villains. Truly an experience you should have as soon as possible!

HandsomeDevil · Post by **HandsomeDevil** » Wed May 30, 2007 3:04 pm

Go for it.

I dusted off my copy of IWD a few months back and played it until the end. I really enjoyed it and I'd certainly recommend it (you can probably get it for dirt cheap, too).

About BG comparisons: I think I might have liked IWD better than BG2 because it is linear and because it isn't so big. I found BG2 a bit daunting because it's so huge and because I kept getting my head handed to me, regardless of what class I took. I like that you can create your party in IWD - in BG2, I never really was able to put together a party that I'd really want. I found you sort of had to 'make do' with whoever was offered.

BTW, a game that isn't worth your time or money is TOEE.

Naffnuff · Post by **Naffnuff** » Thu May 31, 2007 4:26 am

HandsomeDevil wrote:I dusted off my copy of IWD a few months back and played it until the end. I really enjoyed it and I'd certainly recommend it (you can probably get it for dirt cheap, too).

About BG comparisons: I think I might have liked IWD better than BG2 because it is linear and because it isn't so big. I found BG2 a bit daunting because it's so huge and because I kept getting my head handed to me, regardless of what class I took. I like that you can create your party in IWD - in BG2, I never really was able to put together a party that I'd really want. I found you sort of had to 'make do' with whoever was offered.

BTW, a game that isn't worth your time or money is TOEE.

Oh, but you can create your own party in BG/BG2. Just start a game in multiplayer mode and you'll see. Of course, you'll miss all the party dialogues, but if the NPCs really bug you it's the way to go.
By the way, thanks everyone for your help!

Crucis · Post by **Crucis** » Thu May 31, 2007 6:41 am

As to the title question, Is this game worth bothering about? ABSOLUTELY YES!

As to comparing IWD1/2 and the BG series... I don't per se mind so of the linearity, what I do find annoying is that some of the area maps themselves are extremely linear. That is, there's one entrance point and one exit point and only one way to get from A to B. The player is simply forced to snake their way across the area. To be honest, I found that degree of forced linearity very frustrating and annoying. By comparison, IWD1's free expansion, TOTL (Tales of The Luremaster), is while somewhat linear in terms of the story, the maps themselves do not feel like they have enforced linearity. In particular, the 4 knights dungeon at the start of TOTL is plenty non-linear.

Come to think of it, these days one of the best things about IWD1 is the ability to eventually play TOTL. I've always found TOTL vastly more fun than most of HOW and always enjoy sneaking around that dungeon.

AvatarOfLight · Post by **AvatarOfLight** » Thu May 31, 2007 7:06 am

Yes IWD is totally worth it :laugh:

HandsomeDevil · Post by **HandsomeDevil** » Thu May 31, 2007 7:39 am

Naffnuff wrote:Oh, but you can create your own party in BG/BG2. Just start a game in multiplayer mode and you'll see. Of course, you'll miss all the party dialogues, but if the NPCs really bug you it's the way to go.
By the way, thanks everyone for your help!

I've tried this, but it won't let me. I must be doing something wrong.[/hijack]

Rhûn · Post by **Rhûn** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 2:05 pm

I was disappointed with IWD after being a BG fan for years. I picked up the dvd box set which included 1&2, but it just felt pretty soulless for me due to the linearity; one entrance, one exit as others said, constant fight against mobs enough to make you go crazy etc., never really felt like I was 'inside' the game at any point. However, the artwork and the landscapes and music are very nice, as is the dialogue (which is too infrequent for me, but excellent), I would say it's a very good game but just not to my style, which makes it almost unplayable for me.

Pellinore · Post by **Pellinore** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 5:57 pm

I played IWD before BGI & II and I think BG was the better series although IWD had a much better atmosphere. If IWD had the npcs and interaction that BG did it would probably have been better. But, I am all about character interaction and story.... But to answer your question...yes, it is worth it...