Baldur's Gate returns!

[ctsteel]

I bought the original BG when it first came out as I LOVED the old Gold Box series of games, but for some reason I could never really get into the game. I think I got as far as the tavern place that is the first main location after leaving Candlekeep, and kept getting wiped out by random encounters and some assassin group in the town and I gave up - the difficulty level was too extreme I felt at the time.
I still have the game sitting here - was putting a box of old games together to give to charity and had (reluctantly) put this game in the pile, but now on re-reading this and with a long time between giving it a go I might hold onto the original game with manual/map etc, and see about getting this new edition with all the updates and try it again.

You can pre-purchase the game now, to save 10% off the price

[Arnizipal]

You can pre-purchase the game now, to save 10% off the price

I wonder how they'll make the new characters interact with the old ones.
Guess there'll be no new voiced material for them.

[Urgat]

Mmh... mmmmmmmh... Think I'll preorder tomorrow.

[parthvader]

I bought the original BG when it first came out as I LOVED the old Gold Box series of games, but for some reason I could never really get into the game. I think I got as far as the tavern place that is the first main location after leaving Candlekeep, and kept getting wiped out by random encounters and some assassin group in the town and I gave up - the difficulty level was too extreme I felt at the time.
I still have the game sitting here - was putting a box of old games together to give to charity and had (reluctantly) put this game in the pile, but now on re-reading this and with a long time between giving it a go I might hold onto the original game with manual/map etc, and see about getting this new edition with all the updates and try it again.

You can pre-purchase the game now, to save 10% off the price

Ah...I remember that...(looks fondly at his computer screen) thats when you are about to go into the tavern but the minute you try to do so you get attacked by some thugs, isn't it?

I think the only way out of that situation was to use the pause and really plan your moves carefully. Got killed a number of times there before I could move on...

[Arnizipal]

A good tactic is sticking near the guards.
They'll save you if they see you're under attack.

[Still Standing]

It's only difficult if you're playing a Mage with minimal Con. The 4 HP characters don't stand up well to magic missile. Easy enough though, let her attack Imoen, then run away and the Guards will take care of the rest. Or man up and kill her yourself!

[ctsteel]

I did have a mage and that was part of the difficulty- he just couldnt stand up to the fights at that low a level for hp and minimal spell ability, and the companions were likewise outclassed by all the bandits wih bows killing from a distance etc. It got frustrating fast.

[Arnizipal]

I did have a mage and that was part of the difficulty- he just couldnt stand up to the fights at that low a level for hp and minimal spell ability, and the companions were likewise outclassed by all the bandits wih bows killing from a distance etc. It got frustrating fast.

You have to stay on the road until your party is bigger than just you and Imoen.
Having fear-inducing spells is also a great help (Spook is a available from level 1, Horror from level 3 IIRC).

[parthvader]

You have to stay on the road until your party is bigger than just you and Imoen.
Having fear-inducing spells is also a great help (Spook is a available from level 1, Horror from level 3 IIRC).

This was a long time ago, but is it possible to get the two evil NPCs (Xzar and Montaron - and yes, I had to look their names up) before you get to this spot? I think that is how I managed to get through this part (eventually, after getting wiped out a number of times), by having Imoen, Xzar and Montaron in the party at the start.

[Still Standing]

From level 3 you have access to level 2 spells, which include Mirror Image and Blur. They are the only spells you are interested in from that page of the spell book. Always have them up! Later on you will get Stoneskin which pretty much renders Blur redundant, but I still use Mirror Image all the way through to Melisan.

This was a long time ago, but is it possible to get the two evil NPCs (Xzar and Montaron - and yes, I had to look their names up) before you get to this spot? I think that is how I managed to get through this part (eventually, after getting wiped out a number of times), by having Imoen, Xzar and Montaron in the party at the start.

I always refused to get Xzar and Montaron... Just sooo annoying. However, if you want to bring them to party to steal the Studded Leather armour for Imoen and spell scrolls for your mage... Well feel free!

I remember waaaaay too much about this game lol

[stormblade]

You have to stay on the road until your party is bigger than just you and Imoen.
Having fear-inducing spells is also a great help (Spook is a available from level 1, Horror from level 3 IIRC).

I did it 'solo' , but it included a lot of loading and running around the guards.

[ctsteel]

I recall getting Xzar and Montaron at some point around there - I definitely had them at the time of giving up. They were argumentative with Imoen etc from memory and were a bit of a handful to try and keep happy, and I petered out and moved on to other games around then. So really I've barely scraped the surface of this game (which is probably why it's lingered in my memory/regrets for so long).

[VanHel]

Once again, awesome things are released during my birthday month!

[Still Standing]

Just found out that it's only the first BG+TOTSC getting released... Makes me so very sad.

[eldargal]

They did say they hoped to do BGII+ToB in the future if the first one goes well.

[Satan]

They did say they hoped to do BGII+ToB in the future if the first one goes well.

I'm def. buying it. Still hasn't been a series released to rival this one. I hope it turns out well and that they'll do Ps:T sometime in the future.

Man, I've got to get me that Ps:T tattoo I've been considering for the last 8 years...

[eldargal]

I think they mentioned a desire to do Ps:T in an interview as well, but I can't find any mention of it now. I hope it wasn't just wishful thinking on my part.

[Satan]

I think they mentioned a desire to do Ps:T in an interview as well, but I can't find any mention of it now. I hope it wasn't just wishful thinking on my part.

No, I remember it too. Think I read it on Kotaku even.

[Arnizipal]

It was linked through to Penny Arcade as well I think.

[TywinLannister]

Take my money!!!

Yeah ill buy this and BG2 if they do it, to support them and increase the odds of a BG3.

I've played BG1 & 2 to death and the prospect of replaying them is both daunting and exciting! Looking forward to the new characters and quests!