When Baldur’s Gate II: EE Dropped on the Same Day as PS4’s Grand Entrance

November 15, 2013 will always be remembered by console fans as PlayStation 4’s debut. Meanwhile, on PC, Mac, and Linux, weary adventurers were installing Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition. Because nothing says “next-gen RPG” like a 2D isometric throwback freshly patched for high-res widescreens.

Story: From Irenicus’s Dungeons to Throne of Bhaal

You awake in a cell, stripped of your powers by the mad mage Irenicus—tortured, betrayed, and shoved into the darkest corner of Amn. Will you cling to your heroic past or give in to whispers of godhood? From the sprawling mansions of Athkatla to the cosmic endgame atop the Throne of Bhaal, every dialogue choice can twist your fate.

Gameplay Mechanics: Real-Time with Pause and Party Shenanigans

  • Classic D&D 2nd Edition Rules: Thac0, saving throws, and a loot pile that requires its own spreadsheet.
  • Real-Time with Pause: For those moments when your rogue needs to open a chest without getting gibbed by kobolds.
  • Story Mode: New difficulty setting that lets you skip the heaviest combat gauntlets and focus on character drama.
  • Black Pits II Arena: Gladiator-style battles for when you miss wave after wave of mindless foes.

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Visuals & Audio: Pixel Art Meets Orchestral Flare

Beamdog gave classic 2D portraits a polish that doesn’t ruin the retro charm—think smooth animations, updated spell effects, and native widescreen support. The soundtrack still slaps with orchestral hits, while voice actors (new player sets included) ensure your half-elf bard actually sings instead of humming off-key in your head.

Community Feedback & User Rating Analysis

On release, Baldur’s Gate II: EE boasts a “Very Positive” badge with 94% of 50 recent reviews praising its narrative depth and faithful revival. Across 8,831 all-time reviews it holds 92% acclaim. Here’s what players rave—and grumble—about:

  • Strengths: Story-rich world, iconic companions like Minsc and Boo, deep class/subclass choices, nostalgia satisfaction at 11/10.
  • Weaknesses: Occasional bugs (Beamdog’s hundreds of fixes didn’t catch them all), archaic inventory micromanagement, and a UI that feels like it time-warped from 2000.
  • Mixed Notes: Story Mode is a godsend for lore junkies but too easy for hardcore tacticians. Cross-play multiplayer works—if you can decipher the matchmaking menu without summoning a DM.

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Overall Rating: N/A (Beamdog let the community speak for itself)

Impact on the CRPG Renaissance

Baldur’s Gate II: EE helped prove that old-school party-based RPGs can thrive today. Its success paved the way for divinity incarnate, blocky isometrics, and ambitious Kickstarter quests. If you’re craving political intrigue, blackguard betrayal, and the chance to smite a god, this Enhanced Edition remains a gold standard.

Final Verdict

Whether you skipped the original in favor of shinier engines or you’re on your twentieth replay, Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition is the RPG equivalent of comfort food—with a side of murderous deity aspirations. It’s not perfect, but few games marry sprawling lore and tactical depth this well. Roll initiative and dive back in—your destiny awaits.

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Add Baldurs Gate II Enhanced Edition to your Steam collection!