Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal

Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal

Cover art
Developer(s) BioWare
Publisher(s) Black Isle Studios
Interplay Entertainment
Distributor(s) Wizards of the Coast
Composer(s) Howard Drossin
Inon Zur
Series Baldur's Gate
Engine Infinity Engine
Platform(s) Windows, Macintosh
Release date(s) 22 June 2001
Genre(s) Role-playing video game
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer

Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal is the expansion pack for the role-playing video game Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, and is the final chapter in the Baldur's Gate series.[1][2][3] It adds a multi-level dungeon called Watcher's Keep to the game[3] and completes the main plot.[1] There are several new weapons, a higher level cap, a further refined Infinity graphics engine, and new class-related features and magical skills.[2][3] The novelization of the game was written by Drew Karpyshyn and released in September 2001.[4]

Gameplay

The gameplay is similar to previous entries in the Baldur's Gate series, with the player controlling a party of up to six characters, including the protagonist, who can be custom designed at the beginning of the game. The player can also import their character from either Baldur's Gate or Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn.[5]

In expanding from the original game, Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal adds a number of features that distinguish it from the original. It is set in a number of new locations in Tethyr. It has a new level 40 experience limit, new high-level monsters, and new items.[5] It has a new dungeon, Watcher's Keep,[5] which can be accessed from both the original Shadows of Amn game and the Throne of Bhaal campaign. All of the non-player characters (NPCs) from the original game are available with the exception of Yoshimo. The game also adds a new NPC, Sarevok, and a new mage class kit, Wild Mage.[5]

Plot

Story

The in-game plot is based on a war that breaks out in Tethyr amongst the Bhaalspawn.[6] The player character (PC) must venture through regions including the city of Saradush, which is under siege by fire giants,[7] a fortress in the Underdark, and a monastery in Amkethran.[5] Through the game, the PC has to defeat five legendary Bhaalspawn, known as The Five.

As the story progresses, The Five kill all their brethren, despite the efforts of Mellisan, a woman trying to save all the innocent Bhaalspawn and keep them safe in Saradush. Only when the PC kills off The Five and uncovers his own power is the truth revealed: Mellisan is in fact Amelyssan the Blackhearted, the mastermind behind both The Five and the slaughterer of all the Bhaalspawn. She was once Bhaal's high priestess, to whom he entrusted the task of his resurrection. She does not intend to resurrect the god, however. Instead, she is preparing to become the Goddess of Murder herself.

With all quests finished and all Bhaalspawn killed, the PC must journey to the planar Throne of Bhaal for the great final battle against Amelyssan. Ultimately, the PC is presented with the choice of either ascending the throne of Bhaal or destroying it and returning to peaceful life as a mortal. If the PC chooses to ascend, they have the option of either becoming the new God of Murder or becoming a deity dedicated to good and righteousness.

Characters

Reception

Chris Chan of the New Straits Times gave a favorable review, concluding, "all in all, I enjoyed the epic feel of the game tremendously and loved the available customisation options."[7] GameSpy awarded Throne of Bhaal its Best of 2001 PC Expansion Pack,[8] and called the game a "brilliant end to a brilliant gaming saga."[9]

IGN awarded Throne of Bhaal an Editors' Choice Award.[10] The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences named Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal as Role Playing Game of the Year for 2001.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 Conrad, Jeremy (29 June 2001). "Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal (Review)". IGN.com. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
  2. 1 2 Lafferty, Michael (24 August 2001). "Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 5 October 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
  3. 1 2 3 Moran, Reid (3 July 2001). "Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal (PC) Review". G4 TV. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
  4. Karpyshyn, Drew. Contemporary Authors. 1 January 2007. Retrieved 9 June 2013.  via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Cappellini, Matt (6 September 2001). "Yes, game sequels can be good". The Beacon News (Aurora, Illinois). Retrieved 27 November 2012.  via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
  6. Chan, Chris (7 January 2002). "Top 10 games of 2001". New Straits Times. Retrieved 21 November 2012.  via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
  7. 1 2 Chan, Chris (23 July 2001). "Non-stop action in epic adventure game". New Straits Times. Retrieved 28 November 2012.  via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
  8. "PC Expansion Pack of the Year: Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 8 January 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
  9. Rausch, Allen (19 August 2004). "A History of D&D Video Games - Part V". GameSpy. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  10. "IGN.com Editors' Choice Awards". IGN.com. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
  11. Varanini, Giancarlo (5 March 2002). "Fifth annual AIAS awards announced". GameSpot. Retrieved 19 January 2008.

External links

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