sorophx

ok, what I don't like about this game and why I'll never buy it. 1. visuals - it's the first thing you notice, and it's terrible. character design, character models are awful, it's painful to look at. while the quality of the models is acceptable, their design is unbearable. the cartoon-ish looks don't work in an RPG (at least for me), I am instantly reminded of WoW. it seems like the developers were trying to find a style that would appeal to as many people as possible. I hate this kind of approach to visual design. 2. the way the dialogues are presented was the second thing that popped out, floating white text on a transparent background above moving characters - who in his right mind would do something like that? it's unreadable (and if it's all voiced I don't care because I always play games with the sound turned off, so they obviously didn't think about people like me, why have the text in the first place then?). even the fact that it gets duplicated somewhere to the side is of little consolation. since it's just as hard to read. but maybe there's a setting for that (changing the background color, for example)? 3. that is part of a bigger problem, actually: UI. it's straight from WoW - minimap, abilities bar, chat window. I dig minimalistic UIs, but come on, that assumes Uis higher functionality. and what Original SIn has is as far from old school as WoW. even Diablo 2 had better interface (what am I saying? Diablo 2's interface was pure genius). and then there's picking up loot and its interface... that's simply anachronistic design 4. won't comment on area design, since I'd have to see the whole game for that, the first area is rather linear, although that's to be expected from a game with such lazy design: make it easily navigated through so new players don't get lost instead of making it intuitive. I do like the quality of their assets the environment is made up of. at least it looks pretty anyway: old fashioned to the point of ridiculousness (you can break doors down by shooting arrows at them, seriously?) - this isn't what makes a game "old school". I don't care about the story in an RPG, to give you an idea: if Diablo 2 was a party based game with a proper combat system it would be my favorite game, probably. and that should give you an idea of what I like in RPGs: good design of locations, characters, UI, underlying systems (abilities, equipment etc.), good pacing. how does OS fare in all of these categories? can't comment on the latter two, but I assume - poorly. or is it turn-based combat ONLY that makes people claim this game is old school? well, that's not even an argument

googled "tactical girls", and jeebus... here a tamer pick

you're both from Germany so you're automatically disqualified I'm kidding! I'll make a post about what I disliked later, after I had some sleep

I'm probably missing something very important, but looking at gameplay videos of the first 30 or so minutes of this game makes me want to tear my eyes out. what's strange to me is people who are putting down ToEE are at the same time praising this turd. I am speechless

the poor women with that condition are outside of our considerations

it has a comma before the extension, not a dot. so this forum can't see it, I think

Malc, it's not about the bone structure. it's about how much "leg" there is on that bone

it's not complaining about the image being .jpg it doesn't like the link, the link should lead to the image itself (it should have the extension as well);

I don't even know what you're talking about. the one on the right is clearly a better choice

next time I'll finish with this quest and show something a bit more exciting. anyway, bonus time: Beggar: Hm. Well, that'll pay off part of your debt. I'll take this as a down payment.

Dermin Courtierdale: Yes, yes, but the lessons? Jaheira: What...what are you getting at, Dermin? Dermin Courtierdale: I am not here to rehash our friendship, Jaheira... I have been sent to kill you, or otherwise seek your downfall, and I do not relish the duty. Jaheira: I see. And what power has decided that I should be killed? I server nature and protect the good of the land through my work as a Harper. Who have I offended? Dermin Courtierdale: Who...? Jaheira, you travel with a killer of Harpers, I do not wish to think you had any complicity in those acts, but here she is and she is still alive. Jaheira: I have washed my hads of the incident in the Harper Hold. Galvarey was in the wrong and brought his fate upon himself. Dermin Courtierdale: We know nothing of this. There is only the fact that you...you and your friend were the cause of many deaths. This cannot be ignored. Jaheira: He was in the wrong! Of that I am certain! Galvarey sought to imprison Le for his own gain and I took the side of right. I could do no other! Dermin Courtierdale: It is not seen that way, Jaheira. Exact the necessary justice. That is the only route to redemption for you. The others... will not accept you otherwise. Jaheira: This is wrong, Dermin. This is not the right solution. Dermin Courtierdale: I cannot see this ending otherwise, Jaheira. Your own have died. What do you intend to do about it? Jaheira: Dermin...I... Dermin, I cannot do as you ask. You are in the wrong, as was Galvarey. I was right to choose Le's side, and it is your loss if you cannot see this. Dermin Courtierdale: Consider carefully what you are saying, child. You have a duty to justice. Jaheira: This is not justice. This is revenge for a lie, a falsehood that none seem bothered to find the truth behind. If this is Harper justice then I... Dermin Courtierdale: What are you saying, Jaheira? Jaheira: If this is Harper justice then I...I renounce you. I renounce...I renounce my life as a Harper. Dermin Courtierdale: Jaheira, you cannot mean...Think this through. Jaheira: It would seem I am the only one that has thought any of this through. You do not, Galvarey did not, and now the Harpers out for blood do not. I mourn many fellows of the Harp, but they died fighting for balance and truth. Galvarey did not, and this matter cheapens their loss. I will not be party to it. Dermin Courtierdale: So be it then. I will take your words to those that will listen. Do not expect your life to be peaceful with this choice. Jaheira: It shall not be peaceful, but it is clearer than the course you are on. Goodbye, Dermin. Le: You have a place here, Jaheira, regardless of this mess. Jaheira: I thank you, Le, but part of me is gone. I...I will speak no more of this. This is behind me. I must go forward. Come, we have friends to avenge. Day 7. Morning. Jaheira really surprised me today. I guess her sense of justice is stronger than her loyalty to the Harpers' cause. Ironically, it was this same sense that made her join the Harpers in the first place. And now I'll have to murder a bunch of Harpers just because they're so stubborn and can't leave me alone. What a waste of my time... At least I will keep myself and this jolly bunch following me well trained. Anyway, now we have to go track down a sculptor for the Helmites. I hope it will be beneficial to me, I don't like to be their errand girl. They offerred money, but I have enough of that stuff in my coffers as it is. I'm thinking more along the lines of getting help from them when I need it... Sir Sarles: You are told? Have you not checked? Gathering the materials is not the job of a fine artist such as myself. Go speak with an ore merchant or somesuch. I recall the name of one that was referred to me on my last visit. Jerlia was her name, I believe. Speak with her. She has exotics occasionally. Try the promenade. Now go! I will work for whatever church acquires the necessary materials! If not yours, then another! 200 pounds of illithium or I go back to enjoying my holiday! Jerlia the Ore Merchant: You don't know what is involved in getting illithium. i've an agreement with a rather spoecial source, but there's only so much I'm allowed to take. 50 pounds a season at most. Edwin: So this is a fruitless enterprise then? He has sent us on a merry little chase. Jerlia the Ore Merchant: Hold on. It's difficult, but not impossible. There are two options to you. You can go to my source and try and ply the extra out of him, or you can use a... substitute. Edwin: You mean a cheaper metal as a replacement? Won't Sarles know? Jerlia the Ore Merchant: For all his pomp and balderdash, Sir Sarles wouldn't know quality materials if you beat him over the head with them. Now that's a fine image, eh? Keldorn: I do not like the sound of this. It has a distinct ring of dishonesty about it. No matter how rude the artist may have been, we should be honest with him, don't you think? Anomen: It is dishonest, but no less than the cretin deserves for the demands he places upon the church. Sir Sarles could use his pride pricked, I say. Jerlia the Ore Merchant: Enough of that. Anyway, I would wager that a derivative of illithium would serve just as well. Pure illithium is quite rare, but an alloy could be fashioned at a reasonable rate. Le: Perhaps I should just talk to your source about the real thing. He may help. Jerlia the Ore Merchant: He may at that, but I will require compensation for revealing him to you. If word got out who and where my source was, I would be out of business. make it worth my while. Keldorn: If this could ruin you, we should offer no less than 1000 gold. Jerlia the Ore Merchant: His name is Unger Hilldark. Don't get him mad, will you? He's at enough of a risk just coming here. He's... he's Duergar. Anomen: Duergar? Where does a dwarf of such evil nature find sanctuary in Amn? Jerlia the Ore Merchant: At the Copper Coronet, of course. It hides worse than him within. besides, they have to eat too, you know. Nothing wrong with a mutually beneficial trading agreement. He's in disguise. His kind doesn't look all that different, and as long as he's left alone, he's fine. Not a bad guy, once you get to know him. You go talk to him. Tell him I sent you. Maybe he'll let you pull a little more illithium out of him than I can get. It won't be cheap though. Edwin: Perhaps we should try to get that substitute you mentioned as well. Jerlia the Ore Merchant: I will require some measure of coin for the service. Tell you what I'll do. I'll get 200 pounds of the alloy together and you can pick it up tomorrow. Unger Hilldark: It doesn't matter, fool. I don't HAVE any illithium. It's taht simple. My source is inaccessible, and you aren't getting any. Get angry if you wish, but it won't help. Le: You sound like this was not a planned shortage. What is the problem? Unger Hilldark: Oh, so now you wish to be my friend? Why should I bother with you at all? Le: You can't fix your problem or you would have illithium. What else can you do? Unger Hilldark: Nothing. Very few opportunities for mercantile trade in this place when you are even a hill or mountain dwarf. Alright, fool, you wish to share my problem, I'll give it to you. You want illithium, you can wait for it. We mine it deep in the earth, and it's dangerous going. It's rare enough when production is normal. This is all useless information though, because my latest shipment was stolen from under me! So there's no illithium for anyone for another season or more! Le: I'll exact justice for you. I'll take the illithium I need and leave the bandit dead. Unger Hilldark: You want to go chasing after him, that's your business. It's lost to me anyway. I show my face and he'll have the guards on me just for being duergar. Typical of this city. I'm just a poor businessman, but I'll be jailed just for my shadowed face. This bastard that robbed me looks like a hill dwarf, so he's welcomed with open arms. They wouldn't guess at what a fiend he is. After I hired him, I found out what he had done. I suppose that's why he cheated me and took off. Le: Don't you worry. Just point me in the right direction. Unger Hilldark: Yes, well, you can go after him if you like. last I heard he was holed up in the Bridge district. A derelict little place bought with my gold... here, I'll even mark it on your map, there. He won't be moving much. he was on the run from baldur's Gate when I met him. Oh, I suppose you'll want his name as well. The name was Neb. He left a few families crying, or so I hear. Tell his corpse that Unger Hilldark sent you. Day 7. Noon. These fools sometimes amaze me. This duergar has money, he knows where the thief lives exactly. He could've hired a couple of thugs right in the Cop and get them to beat the living crap out of that dwarf. So why doesn't he? There's something else to this. Jaheira keeps saying the name "Neb" sounds familiar. She had an encounter with him in Baldur's Gate. We'll just make our way to Bridge district and ask around. And go from there. One step at a time.

And a bonus as usual. Amnish Soldier: ...accuse everyone. You! Have you seen anything suspicious or unnatural lately? Le: Other than your two friends here? No. Amnish Soldier: You are not under investigation at the moment, so there is no cause for an attitude? It is a simple question, and I would appreciate an answer. Le: i'm not sure what you mean. What are you looking for? Amnish Soldier: There have been reports of fighting in the streets at night. Sometimes to do with the supposed Shadow Thief guild and rival. If you do see something, just keep your distance. I've already had uninvolved people go missing and I don't need any more. Keep out of the streets at night, citizens. All the decent fold are asleep at those hours anyway.

Jaheira: It was Galvarey; he had me bring my companion there on the pretense of determining her danger, but he had no intention of letting Le leave once there. Reviane: The Harpers know only that there was an attack, and Galvarey is dead. The loss of such a promising person sent waves through the ranks and... Jaheira: Bah! He was a fool bent on advancing his own station! His intent was to use Le as a trophy, hoping to gain enough influence to become a Herald! Reviane: This seems far-fetched, Jaheira. You are well known to have hated Galvarey... and why should this woman command such value? Le: It is your choice to tell her or not, Jaheira. I would prefer my background kept secret, but I leave it to your discretion. Jaheira: As you wish. Reviane, Le is of interest because she is one of the Children. Galvarey wished to capitalize on the fear around the prophecies of old. Reviane: This is a Bhaal child?! And you trust her over one of your own? Jaheira: You must do as you will, Reviane. I have told you my circumstance, there is little more for me to say. Le: Stand down your weapons, Jaheira. We need not shed any blood here today. Jaheira: I will not draw arms against you, Reviane. This has been a huge mistake, and I will not be party to making another. Reviane: The evidence is obvious, Jaheira. My fellows are dead and you admit to the killing. You travel with Le, who is no saint... I must do this. I am sorry. Jaheira: As am I, Reviane. Day 6. Morning. Jaheira is one cold bitch! When that Reviane drew her sword on me, Jaheira just lost it. I saw it in Jaheira's eyes, it was blood lust. This whole Galvarey business really seems to have turned her whole world upside down. Regardless, other Harpers will come to seek out Reviane's killer. And when we dispose of them, others yet will come to avenge them. I didn't need another enemy. But if it must be so, a few more bodies won't make a difference. While leaving the scene of our fight with the Harpers we had to fall back to the Shadow Thieves' safe house, to avoid being arrested by Amnish guards. Conveniently enough a mage was already hiding there. And turns out he knows who I am, and what's more - he knows Tale. They used to be companions back North. I couldn't pass up the opportunity and secured his services. Had to get rid of Aerie and Minsc, since Minsc hates Edwin's guts. They have a bad history between them. Whatever, I was getting tired of those two. I rather like this Red Wizard. Arrogant, but very intelligent. I could use an ally like he. Although, not everybody is as captivated by Edwin as I am... Day 6. Evening. Spent the whole day resting and making sure no Harpers were following us. In the evening decided to drop by Keldorn's estate, turns out he rarely visits his home, and I had business in the district anyway. But I certainly didn't expect to witness what happened when we finally got inside his house... This bad luck streak will never end, I sometimes think. Keldorn: Ah, my sweet Vesper. How is your schoolwork coming? The priests are still kind to you for my sake? Vesper: Yes, father. Keldorn: ...Good, good, that's good to hear. And Leona, the boys are letting you play with them now? They're not teasing you anymore? Leona: Not when the priests are there to hear it. Keldorn: Good, good, that's good... Leona: Mother, can we go now? Lady Maria: Of course, dears. Go on back to the sitting room while your father and I talk. So who are these? Heathen you converted in Calimport, traveling pilgrims you stumbled across in Saradush? Keldorn: Maria, this is Le. We are searching for her childhood companion who- Lady Maria: I don't care, Keldorn! It has been two months since you were here last, and then it was barely for a day! Not even enough to leave your scent about this place... Keldorn: The work of the Order must be done, Maria. You know if I had my choice I would be here. Lady Maria: Would you? Would you really? The guild house is right here in the city but even then I never see you. It's always Radiant Heart this, Radiant Heart that! What about me...what about my heart, Keldorn? What if I don't love you anymore? Keldorn: Maria? Lady Maria: What if the girls can't live without a father anymore? What if I can't live without a husband? Keldorn: You do not love me anymore? ...I ...I have always loved you and I always shall. However well I hide it, every day I spend without you is a day that's lost forever. I love you like I love the Church but the Church is the harsher taskmaster...we knew that when we married. Lady Maria: I know, I know, and I love you in the same fashion, with all my heart... Keldorn: Then if we have love, Maria, what could ever come between us? Lady Maria: I... I've been seeing another man... The children and the servants already know... He -- He took the girls out to the circus, twice... oh, Keldorn... Keldorn: You... You what? What is his name?! Lady Maria: William -- Sir William of Thorpe... I beg of you, don't hurt him, Keldorn. If I can't have you, at least let me have something! Anomen: This... this is bad, Le. For Maria to have relations with another man is punishable by imprisonment. Keldorn must be tearing himself up, inside... Keldorn: ...Go--Go to your daughters. To look at you right now, Maria... To look at you is to go mad. Curse the dictates of honor! ...Oh, the very gods demand that I bring this case before the courts. Sir William shall be hung and my love imprisoned. There is no other outcome. Le: Perhaps you should confront Sir William about the matter. Keldorn: Sir William of Thorpe... He's a foreign noble establishing trade here in Athkatla. He was a good man -- at least I always thought so until... until now. Oh, Le, nothing is clear to me anymore... Come, I know of him and he is often at the Mithrest in Waukeen's Promenade...let us go and see what sense we can make of this. Keldorn: ...spun gold that is her hair? What do you wish, Sir William? To have a child that is not even yours? Sir William of Thorpe: Hmph! Unlikely -- I have been a spent wick for many years. We sought some beauty in the midst of all her pain. I wish I could say you would have done the same. Keldorn: What am I to do with you? You show no remorse yet, at the same time, you are so devoid of malice. What am I to do at all? Sir William of Thorpe: Lady Maria loves you deeply, but without expression love withers and dies. I was but a single drop of moisture, you are the oasis for which she searches. Love her, and I will be but wind-borne dust. Keldorn: Are you asking for my forgiveness? Sir William of Thorpe: I am not fool enough to ask for that, m'lord. I'd much rather think that someday you will thank me. Keldorn: I once believed that with age would come wisdom, but every day I seem to doubt it more... Much as it pains me to admit it, Sir William is right. It is time I spoke with my wife. Le: Then let us make our way to your estate and bring some closure to this turmoil. Keldorn: Thank you for both your understanding and your friendship, m'Lady. Come...let us be off to my estate so that I may meet with Maria and put this behind me. Le: Okay, okay, you have a day but after that I'm going to need your help. Keldorn: A day is more than we have had in years, Le. It's not perfect but it's a start. Lady Maria: And when Le's friend is found...? Keldorn: It shall be my final quest. In fact, I shall submit my resignation to the Order this very week... Le, you know where to find me tomorrow... right here at my estate. Day 6. Evening. Since Keldorn is busy with his wife and all, I decided to travel to my Hold to check up on things and collect my weekly money. We're still a few hours away, but I've had a chance to see my lands and my peasants. Things are looking rather well. Things seem to be going back to normal. But I really need to recruit more peasants into the Hold's guard. One coordinated attack while I'm not here, and I'll have to secure it yet again... Tolmas Bendelia: You're responsible for the safety of this area... these fiends burned my caravan and took all my goods! I demand restitution, and a guarantee that these bandits will be eliminated as soon as possible! If you do not... if you ignore me, I swear that not only shall I not travel through these lands again, but that I shall foreclose on every farmhold I hold a debt for! I swear I shall! Major Domo: Hmm...as I said, he cannot be easily ignored. many will be upset if their farms are foreclosed, and the bandits will have to be dealt with sooner or later. We do not have the strength yet to face them; our patrols simply have too few men. Obviously the bandits have noticed. We would need mercenaries, my Lady. I know a few reliable mercenary companies we could acquire for 500 gold. That would handle this problem. Mm...we could go as low as 250, but that would take longer. Tolmas Bendelia: Enough of this chatter! I demand an answer! Will I have my restitution or not?! Le: I will not recompense you. But nor will I have my people threatened. I will purchase the farmholds' debts from you. Tolmas Bendelia: Well...if that is what you wish to do, I suppose I might be convinced. But their debts are worth around a thousand gold... the same as was the worth of my caravan. So it makes little difference. Le: It makes a difference to me. I will pay you the thousand gold. Tolmas Bendelia: You are very generous, my Lady... you know the value of business to your land, I see. And as for the bandits? What is to be done of them? Le: I intend to spend five hundred gold to hire mercenaries. They will be driven from my land quickly. Tolmas Bendelia: Good enough, then. Perhaps I shall return through this area and continue supplying the locals with goods. So long as you keep your promises, my Lady. Day 6. Close to midnight. That merchant really doesn't know how to count. I wonder how people like him come into money. Obviously not thanks to their business sense. Ah, no matter, I could've bought him three times over. Whatever makes "my peoples" happy I will provide.

but IWD has all that. I'm confused

I personally found BG to be really bad. IWD was the first Infinity engine game I really liked. it was the first game I actually beat.

but that's precisely what's so good about IWD

to be fair, RPGCodex is probably the reason why this game is at the top of Steam's sales

I'm pretty sure Obsidian is in a permanent state of crisis. and that's the reason they've lost their way. you just can't stick to making games nobody buys

but BG II is also dungeon crawling. only it has filler quests in between dungeons in the first half of the game

been playing BG II (arguably the best game Bioware ever produced), and I've come to several conclusions: - things I remember liking back when I first played it I don't like at all (crapton of quests and crapton of dialogue: most dialogue is just filler, some of it is very badly written to boot; quests are also simply there to reward the party with tons of xp to get the char to epic levels faster); - things I didn't like about it I do like kind of (dungeons, their design and layout, a lot of dungeons are very well done and have been my favorite part so far; I also like how party members have small chats every now and then, nice touch, gives depth to characters); - I had doubts before but now I can state without a doubt: Icewind Dale is a better game in every way; - and most importantly: Neverwinter Nights is exactly the same as BG II, only with no party to control (and the party is my favorite thing about BG II, wtf were they thinking?!); now, Obisdian is more similar to Troika, I think; Bioware just had a different approach to designing their RPGs, and a lot of trends you see in later games can be traced all the way back to BG II. that's why I think BG II is their best game: these trends weren't so accentuated in it yet

that's why I suspect there will be multiple copies of these games available in the next couple of days. I will not claim any of those that will be given away until I'm sure I won't buy the bundle myself (they will add a game or two at a later date)

EDIT: nvm

sorry, I promised to show the personal quests, but it's almost midnight here, and I just don't have the will to continue with the updates today. tomorrow. here's a small bonus, though. Miranda: You were deep into your cups that eve, Nirkhas. Blame me not if you have no memory of the event. Talon Nirkhas: I...I see. What is it exactly that you want? Miranda: I want you to take responsibility for your child, foolish man. Lanie: (sight) Mommy, I don't like this daddy. I liked the other daddies better. Miranda: Hush, child! Talon Nirkhas: What's this?! Miranda: Heh heh...oh, nothing, Talon Nirkhas. A simple mistake, perhaps, on my part. Please do excuse me. (You are in SUCH trouble, girl!) Talon Nirkhas: I see. Talos' blessing on you, then, and...er...good day.