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Review by: kain50bc
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Reviewers Score:
9 / 10
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Posted: November 15, 2005
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Yes its another Black Isle game review by kain. This one however is a cut above the rest, indeed it SHOULD be in IGN's top 100 games. But it isn't because they're too focused on the 'classics'. But enough whining. I got this game from a friend of mine who recommended it and
I'm so glad I've got it today.
Graphics: 8/10
Alright the makers of Baldur's Gate did NOT do as good a job on this one. True the scenery still looks great (although a lot more depressing than BG) but the characters look kind of ghastly. But one excellent thing they did put in this game was a gallery of monsters and NPC's. You can look through these anytime during the game and they are all pretty awesome looking. Spell effects look even better in this although sometimes a little chunky, but
that's because everything looks bigger than BG. The video's aren't real crash hot either so thats minus a point for character's and a point for video clips.
Sound: 7/10
Again the same problem with BG, repetitiveness. And even more this time. The battles still have that 'good-but-there's-only-one-tune' theme to it and the voice acting is still great. The point less in this though is because there is no scenery sounds. No buzz of the market place or anything.
Gameplay: 10/10
The story is just awe inspiring. You are the Nameless One, a man who wakes up in a strange place and has no memories. It's his duty to find out who he is and how to get his memories back. I can't really say anymore because that would spoil it for you and definitely not for a story like this.
My first point on actual gameplay is... YOU CANNOT DIE! Well... you can but only permanently in rare circumstances. If you lose all your hitpoints you awaken in various area's depending where you are. For example if you die in the Hive (i think it's called?) you awaken in the Mortuary like dead people should. If your NPC's die however you have to find a spell to revive them or leave them dead, which isn't a good idea as my second point is...
This game is hard. Battlewise I mean. You suddenly jump from fighting easy pathetic weak things to swarms of weak things to swarms of unbelievably difficult things. There are 5 types of weapons in this game, Fists/punch daggers, Knives, Axes, Clubs and Swords. Fists and daggers attack fast but in most
occurrences don't do a great deal. Axes and Clubs are big and slow but dish out considerable damage on hits. Swords are rare and average on both counts.
Unlike the BG and Icewind Dale games, your attributes can (and probably will) go past 18. different greater stats will allow you to affect different things IE having high charisma will make people more susceptible to your charm. Also your alignment changes with your actions and words rather than being fixed. Which I think is more realistic.
Replayability: 10/10
You can get (I think) up to 3 or 4 different endings depending on your attributes and actions throughout the game. You can use 6 different NPC's each with a kind of backstory and different skills. You can do a good or evil playthrough. Great
replayability
Overall: 9/10 Would be 10 but for the sound and graphics. But still a legendary game hidden from the world. |
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