Reading many of the reviews it seems that most people have a problem with the way the game is played. RPG games aren't shooters. There doesn't have to be action every 10 seconds to make it a good game. The most important aspect of a RPG to me is the character development, hence what RPG stands for: ROLE PLAYING GAME. Dialouge options truly make your character, whether s/he be an ahole, a do gooder, or just an evil bloke. The story line is far from linear and I find most people who can't handle a non linear story are usually quite inept at thinking outside the box, which is a great way to play this game. It does take thinking to complete this game. If you don't like to think, don't play a RPG...and Diablo is not a true RPG. Great game, but there is no real character development. You also have to remember that this game is based on D&D. The rules are practically all automated, but knowing a bit about the world, the weapons, armor, and all the pros and cons to each thing typically helps. A big sword isn't always the best weapon. If you die so easily in the later battles, you aren't really preparing your character right or you aren't getting the right equipment. Plus the further you get, the harder it gets. That is typically true with all games...or else what is the point?

Baldur's Gate was one of the first really great RPGs I played many years ago. For a game of the time period, it had pretty good graphics and a great engine for playing. The combat system I thought was a fairly good idea. Turn based, but still in real time (with the all amazing pause key). The story line is fantastic and to this day I think it is probably one of the best thought out story of a game. The only fault I found with the game was the use of 2nd edition rules (though that wasn't Bioware's fault since that is all they had at the time) and the strange phenomenon of not being able to wear more than one magical item. As a D&D player, I know that isn't the real case. I figure they do it so you don't become too powerful, but it isn't true. Minor, but a little annoying. The expansion set is a great idea, but that is why I gave it four stars instead of five. I thought that Durlag's Tower was a great idea, but that part of the game alone can take longer than the actual game itself. That is an issue for me. Yes, the equipment is amazing but I usually find myself ready to quit by that point. The other parts of the expansion are kind of just out there. I felt like they are thrown in. If you play them while in the midst of the regular game, they fit a lot better. Don't just start the expansion if you bought it separately, or else you have to the end battle all over again and it is harder. All the expansion quests are fun, but the annoyance factor keeps it from getting a full five. I would give a 4.5 if I could, but they don't allow half stars.

My finace is not a gamer at all and she even likes this game. She is intrigued by the story enough that she wants to know what happens. It is a great game for late nights or just to get into a world that is totally different than our own.

I love this game because of it's complex trategies and the fact that you have to use your head at what you do plus you can choose who you have in your party and you can build up your characters as you go but you should build them up early so its not so hard to do later on in the game when you get stuck.

I've been playing RPG's since Final Fantasy. This game was a way to linear for me. Not enough freedom of choice. The Dungeon and Dragons; Might and Magic were my favorite type of game. You could walk anywhere as long as you had enough food.

~R~

I received this on time. No scratches, works great. Really fun game, you can do a lot more than just play it, you can play with it.

This is a must-have for any RPG fan, and this is especially true for those of you that enjoy the lore behind Dungeons and Dragons. The original Baldur's Gate alone will take hours and hours to complete. Add to this the expansion Tales of the Sword Coast, and you have a game that will take you months to complete (unless you do nothing but play video games, then it may only take you a few weeks to complete). The storyline is really good, and the graphics, although now dated, are still very good. I enjoy the over-the-top view that this game offers, rather than the first person view of some other games. The only game I have ever played that offers the first person/over the shoulder view that works well is Morrowind.

Needless to say, pick this game up and enjoy the old school RPG at its best.

Overall = Excellent