GameBanshee Forums

I have completed BG1 and 2. I really enjoyed them but want to move to another game. I am not really plugged in to what is available and wanted to ask the BGII forum for a recommendation because I really enjoyed the game and this forum.

I am looking for a PC-based, RPG game, that is not first person shooter, and that does not require playing online. I would welcome any recommendation.
Thanks!

Moving to RPG Discussion.

My own recommendation would be Planescape: Torment. Similar, in some ways a little less flexible, in other ways, better. The Bioware team openly admitted to admiring PS:T, and added some of its features into BG2.

You could give the Icewind Dale series a try. Its not as good as BG in my opinion but is still great. It uses the same game engine and interface as BG1 and BG2 so it would be pretty easy to get the hang of. IWD2's interface is a bit different and is kind of a pain if your used to how BG/BG2 and the first Icewind dale are set up. I think you can get IWD + its expansion and IWD2 all in a dvd bundle pack for around 20-30 something dollars. I got my copy about a year ago when I purchased the BG2 Collection so it might of dropped in price.

Sacred, the Neverwinter Nights series, and Planescape Torment are all good too.

Seconded on the Icewind Dale recommendation, I've only played the second Icewind Dale game because I despise 2nd edition rules for D&D (yes, I know I just used the word 'second' three times in one thought). Icewind Dale 2, Neverwinter Nights Shadows of Undrentide, and maybe Morrowind if you don't mind a first person game (note: it's not a shooter, just a first person fantasy game)

oh yes i forgot to mention morrowind too. Thats what I'm playing now. It is a real open game leaving you to go pretty much anywhere you want at anytime. I've been playing the game for couple weeks and have barely even started the main quest because I got wrapped up in side quests and exploring. As Siberys said it is in first person but you can change it to 3rd person if you want. Although I dont think 3rd person is that great when it comes to morrowind. I always crack a smile when I watch how funky my character runs and jumps in 3rd person.

Chalk up another vote for Planescape: Torment. If you haven't tried it, it's a great game. Somewhat darker than the BG series but it truly is on of the best RPG's I've played.

Yes, Planescape: Torment is a must. I suggest trying the first IWD game before the second one (naturally) as there are references to be seen. You CAN play the second one without ever touching the first Icewind Dale game (which has two expansions that will take you to the Throne of Bhaal level of power) but I don't know, it IS fun, but the third edition rules are kind of unappealing, to me at least. I like AD&D much more.

Also, try the first two games of the Fallout series. It's a post apocalyptic RPG, made by Black Isle and in my opinnion, from their games, it grants the most freedom and is actually possible to beat without violence, given that you specialize in the diplomacy fields.

These games were developed by Black Isle Studios, using the BG game-engine made by Bioware:

Planescape: Torment
Icewind Dale (and both expansion packs: Heart of Winter, Trails of the Lure Master)
Icewind Dale 2

After playing the entire BG Saga, you'll feel right at home with the above games' gameplay. P:T emphasis is on story and characters. IWD emphasis is on combat.

Before these, Black Isle Studios made the legendary Fallout, and then Fallout 2.

You've got alot to look forward to.

I am with Crenshinibon on the Icewind dale over IWD II, 3rd edition sucks big time in comparison to AD&D. IWD doesn't have the party banter that BG does, but on the other hand you have full control of party creation and development.

I also recommend Morrowind if you can handle solo adventuring.

Go for Neverwinter Nights 2 and its expansion. I think you'll enjoy it.

galraen wrote:I am with Crenshinibon on the Icewind dale over IWD II, 3rd edition sucks big time in comparison to AD&D.

You honestly have no clue what you're talking about. AD&D offers no concrete advantage over 3.5, except that the veterans probably know those rules better on virtue of having played a lot more.
Apart from that, I prefer IWD over IWDII as well.

On topic: I, ofcourse, vouch for Planescape. Also, check out Arcanum & Lionheart. Lionheart is a bit heavy on the hack & slash, but still a very solid game.
Maybe some Might and Magic game might float your boat?

Just thought I should mention some less-well-known titles.

I generally prefer 2 nd edition rules too, but it occurs to me that a large part of the reason is because some of my favourite games are based upon them.

On topic though,
if your computer meets the rather steep requirements, I'd also suggest "The Witcher." It's the most enjoyable game I've played since BG2 and PS:T.

While I played through Lionheart, it got very boring and difficult at times. The game development itself was rushed so the ending was hastily made and is a huge disappointment, not to mention it doesn't conclude the story. After playing it, you feel like there's so much more to do and yet you can't because the game is done.

As for The Witcher, I've been looking at it a lot and was amazed to find that it uses the Aurora engine. It such an amazing improvement over what NWN looked like. Also, I've been hearing the the dialogs and the translations are awful, using modern slang and awkward sounding word combinations. Is that true?

Scanning my collection, and my eye fell upon Wizardry VIII. It's party based first person, but the story is quite intricate, you've got a lot of freedom and it's a rather deep system.

GawainBS wrote:You honestly have no clue what you're talking about.

Just because you disagree with me there's no need to start throwing insults about. In my opinion 3.5 is a dumbed down game, the XP table is pathetically nerfed to the point where it cripples any attempt to make a large scale, open CRPG. Compare BG2 to NWN to see what I mean. The same comany developed both games, but the later game is a small, ultra linear game by comparison.

galraen wrote:Just because you disagree with me there's no need to start throwing insults about. In my opinion 3.5 is a dumbed down game, the XP table is pathetically nerfed to the point where it cripples any attempt to make a large scale, open CRPG. Compare BG2 to NWN to see what I mean. The same comany developed both games, but the later game is a small, ultra linear game by comparison.

It's by no means whatsoever related to the system, but rather the gamedesign itself. NWN with AD&D rules would be just as small and linear as it is now.
AD&D has a shallow system for other skills than combat, for example, it's system is unintuitive (compared to "Roll d20, add modifiers, compare to number."), the saving throws are impractical to say the least and it's near-unplayable without several charts. This is, however, from the P&P point of view. I agree that for a PC game, this becomes rather irrelevant, because the computer takes care of all the hard annoying work.
On a last note, it was not an insult, it was rather meant as a teasing, with no offense attached.

Hmm, it depends on what works the best for you.

I am not a big fan of the IWD1 gameplay, but I really like IWD2, though it is hellishly difficult.

Neverwinter Nights 1 franchise, I could never get into, due to its poor graphics, gameplay and the abandonment of the party idea (I don't think that D&D was meant to play with one or two characters!)

On another hand, NWN2 franchise is much more along the lines of BG1-BG2, imo, particulary with a couple of modifications (bigger party, and for me a romance mod, obviously).

Other two games that I had a lot of fun with were KOTOR and JE:SE.

Drakensang that is hopefully will be out next year sounds very, very promissing as well for a classic RPG experience.