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So I want to go through the BG Saga again. Few questions.

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RenegadeDrow

Dec 6, 2012 4:15 am GMT
I've completed the games around 4-5 times already but I haven't played them in a couple years and I think I want to go back. So I have a few questions:

- What version of BG1 should I buy? I don't have any of the BG games right now so I'll need to buy them all but for BG1 should I get the Enhanced Edition or just buy the original saga off GOG.com or something? The new NPCs don't concern me btw.

- What mods do you guys recommend I use? I've played through the games a bunch of times without barely any modification at all so some recommended mods would be great.

If i think of any other questions I'll add them here but that's all for now.

Thank you!
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Listen carefully.
PSN: theDONI
rimur

Dec 6, 2012 5:26 am GMT
Right now, the original Baldur's Gate with the tutu mod is the way to go. At least, until Beamdog fix the mess that is the 'enhanced edition'.
RenegadeDrow

Dec 6, 2012 5:29 am GMT
Would it be worth waiting for them to fix it though? Because the new NPCs don't appeal to me, is the new dungeon worth the getting the EE for?
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Listen carefully.
PSN: theDONI
gkovac

Dec 6, 2012 5:31 am GMT
I'd go with originals. EE doesn't seem to justify the price tag, and is somewhat inferior to modded bg in terms of stability and functionality. Also, I can personally testify that GoG versions work like a charm.

You can either go with Tutu to convert BG to BG2 engine and later import your character to SoA, or try BGT mod that merges BG into BG2 so you can play them as one game. I'd go with the first option as it is all round safer and less prone to breaking. You should also be aware that there are far less mods to be had if you decide to go with BGT.

Here are the links for -

Tutu
http://www.pocketplane.net/mambo/index.php?option=content&task=blogcategory&id=143&Itemid=98

BGT
http://www.spellholdstudios.net/ie/bgt

Here are the major modding sites where you can find most of the mods you might be interested in.

http://www.gibberlings3.net (fixpacks, tweaks, widescreen mod, some nice npcs)
http://www.pocketplane.net (quest packs, unfinished business)
http://www.spellholdstudios.net (lots of npc and quest mods)

I can't tell you what mods to use, as it is a matter of personal preference, so look around and find what you want for your game. I could give you some recommendations though if you clarify what you want.
RenegadeDrow

Dec 6, 2012 5:41 am GMT
gkovac posted...
I can't tell you what mods to use, as it is a matter of personal preference, so look around and find what you want for your game. I could give you some recommendations though if you clarify what you want.

I can't stand mods that seem unpolished or that appear to me made by 16 year old horny boys as someone posted in one of my other topics, so let's rule them out.

Customization mods would be great, such as a mod that let's me choose every single one of the NPCs class. I've heard about this one before but am not sure what it is called. For example actually changing Minsc into a Barbarian or Fighter from level 1 instead of a Ranger would be ideal.

Are there any mods out there that make the game slightly more challenging? Even though it has been awhile since I've played the game I'm pretty sure it will be just as easy this time through it all too so maybe a mod that ups the difficulty or at least changes the gameplay somewhat to make it harder, would be great.

I can't think of much else.

I will be using BGTutu, Widescreen mod and 1PP. But other then those three I'm undecided. So I'm definitely open to opinions.
---
Listen carefully.
PSN: theDONI
rimur

Dec 6, 2012 5:51 am GMT
Is it worth it to wait for them to fix it? Hard to say. I'd just go with the originals, they're already very stable, polished, tested and proven with all the aforementioned mods and you'd save yourself a ton of frustration. The only point in getting the enhanced edition are the new NPCs and the upcoming multiplayer lobby.
gkovac

Dec 6, 2012 6:37 am GMT
The mod you want is here:
http://www.gibberlings3.net/level1npcs/

As for challenge you may want to use Sword Coast Stratagems
http://www.gibberlings3.net/scs/ - for BG
http://www.gibberlings3.net/scsii/ - for BG2

These are HIGHLY customizable and checking out the readme is a must, or you may end up making your game too hard.

Ascension is only ToB related but it's worth it. It buffs the difficulty considerably and changes some other things too. Note that it was written by David Gaider, who wrote ToB in the first place.
http://weidu.org/asc.html

As for other mods, you really can't go wrong with anything from G3 or Pocketplane, as they list only the best stuff out there. Spellhold is more tolerant though.

Some suggestions:

http://www.gibberlings3.net/bg1npc/index.php
This mod expands on the depth of character and levels of interaction with the NPCs from the BG game. Must have if you're into party interaction.
Similar mod, only for BG2 can be found here -
http://www.pocketplane.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=95&Itemid=78

http://www.gibberlings3.net/amber/index.php
NPC mods are mostly subjective, but I have to mention Amber for BG2, as it's one of the best written and realized npc mods I've played. She's even decently voiced. If you find yourself in need of a thief in SoA, check her out.

Unfinished Business is designed to restore many of the cut items, quests, and encounters from the game's final release. All well written and integrated seamlessly.
For BG2 - http://www.pocketplane.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=101&Itemid=80
For BG - http://www.pocketplane.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=161&Itemid=114

The Quest Pack contains a number of components designed to add additional adventures for BG2. It's so well done, you won't even notice it's modded content.
http://www.pocketplane.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=128&Itemid=100
Arsene-Lupin

Dec 6, 2012 7:31 am GMT
If you care at all about Baldur's Gate, BGEE is really the only way to go. It's the -only- way to play Baldur's Gate at modern resolutions without breaking the game (the widescreen mod has the effect of A) "zooming" the camera out 400% or further than it should ever, every be in relation to the characters and B) shrinking the UI.

BGEE has only two issues at the moment: not all of the mods work (some do, of course) and it also has a lot of bugs... or had. The game launched last week and Overhaul has already put out 3 patches eliminating almost all of the "big" bugs. So I say either buy it now or wait a week or two for the NPC project mod to be made compatible.

But, seriously guys, recommending the original over BGEE? Unless you've got an old 800x600 monitor laying around to use, no way in hell is that a good idea.

Here, this is what BGT/TuTu does to the game:
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7008/bgtk.png

And here's BGEE, same resolution, where you can play the game as it was MEANT to be played.
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9045/bgee.png

Notice the difference? Plus you can zoom in and out in BGEE if you want, so you can fit everything to your own preference. (Check the GameFAQs screenshots for a comparison between what zoomed-in all the way looks like vs. zoomed-out all the way).

Not to mention all of the other improvements, from new characters and quests and areas and music to the simple fact that they've polished up the Infinity Engine code a LOT. Remember loading screens? Yeah, those are gone now. BGEE is waaaay more optimized that any of the old IE games ever were.
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"And you see where that can lead you, into what mistakes and absurdities, when you are dealing with a man like Arsene Lupin."
gkovac

Dec 6, 2012 8:21 am GMT
Arsene-Lupin posted...
If you care at all about Baldur's Gate, BGEE is really the only way to go. It's the -only- way to play Baldur's Gate at modern resolutions without breaking the game (the widescreen mod has the effect of A) "zooming" the camera out 400% or further than it should ever, every be in relation to the characters and B) shrinking the UI.

BGEE has only two issues at the moment: not all of the mods work (some do, of course) and it also has a lot of bugs... or had. The game launched last week and Overhaul has already put out 3 patches eliminating almost all of the "big" bugs. So I say either buy it now or wait a week or two for the NPC project mod to be made compatible.

But, seriously guys, recommending the original over BGEE? Unless you've got an old 800x600 monitor laying around to use, no way in hell is that a good idea.

Here, this is what BGT/TuTu does to the game:
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7008/bgtk.png

And here's BGEE, same resolution, where you can play the game as it was MEANT to be played.
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9045/bgee.png

Notice the difference? Plus you can zoom in and out in BGEE if you want, so you can fit everything to your own preference. (Check the GameFAQs screenshots for a comparison between what zoomed-in all the way looks like vs. zoomed-out all the way).

Not to mention all of the other improvements, from new characters and quests and areas and music to the simple fact that they've polished up the Infinity Engine code a LOT. Remember loading screens? Yeah, those are gone now. BGEE is waaaay more optimized that any of the old IE games ever were.

Haha. Why on earth would someone stretch it to 1920x1080? I have 1680x1050 monitor and I set it to 1280x800. It looks beautiful, and nothing is broken.

Loading screens? Please. Unless you're running on 1998 pc you won't even mention them.
gkovac

Dec 6, 2012 8:36 am GMT
Also, if you're so insistent on playing the game as it was meant to be played, as you put it, you can always set your gpu drivers to maintain aspect ratio and stick with the native resolution. That looks nice too, though I can only speak for ati cards.