Did I mention that there was a lot of combat? Sure, there are the occasional “FedEx” missions, a few puzzles to work through, and a very annoying maze, but mostly it’s lots of fighting. And many of these combats are brutally difficult. This game is not for the tactically impaired. I found myself reloading battles much more often than in previous Black Isle games, many times just happy to finish with a few party members alive. Switching up tactics is a must, and many battles can be “solved” by using the surrounding environment in interesting (and often amusing) ways.
Speaking of environment, the old Infinity Engine still manages to do a remarkable job. Graphics are much the same as in Baldur’s Gate 2 or Icewind Dale—isometric 2D characters on top of lavish pre-rendered backgrounds. There are some new spell effects and a few new character and monster types, but it’s mostly the same old, comfortable graphics. Likewise, sound is quite familiar, and of very good quality. The music is excellent, the sound effects decent, and the voices almost exactly the same as in previous games (with many of the old sound files available for character banter).
So is ID2 a good game? Yes. It’s not groundbreaking and it’s not original. But it is fun, and that’s really the most important thing. Rumor has it that this will be Black Isle’s last game using the Infinity Engine. And I am really quite sad to see it go. Sure, it isn’t as flashy as some of the newer D&D games, and it may not have all the bells and whistles. But it’s such a wonderfully refined engine that designers can concentrate on gameplay and storytelling, rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. And players can jump quickly into the story, completely familiar with the way it’s being told. It’s just a brand new trail walked in old, comfortable shoes.
B-
A very good RPG that fails to bring anything new to the table.
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