Review PC Arena reviews IWD2

[Saint_Proverbius]

Tags: Icewind Dale 2

<a href="http://rpg.pcarena.com/">PC Arena</a> has put up their <A href="http://rpg.pcarena.com/iwd2/">review</a> of <a href="http://icewind2.blackisle.com">IWD2</a>, giving it a <b>4/5</b> "arcs". The bad, they say, is the pathfinding, the graphics, and occational interface selection problems. The good, also they say, are the simplified controls and the <i>dynamic</i> experience the game provides due to the character system. Here's a bit of it.
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<blockquote>Crushing goblins, drinking ale, and gaining experience in the world of Dungeons & Dragons is exactly what I need after a hard days work at the office. Icewind Dale II (IWD2) gives me just that and hours upon hours of gameplay to boot.
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If there was ever a year for RPG’s to be recognized in the gaming industry, 2002 would be it. Three RPG’s based on the Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition Rule Set have been published. One of which is Icewind Dale II developed by Black Isle Studios. Set up in the same setting we're used to seeing in other D&D games; the Forgotten Realms, this much anticipated sequel tailors to one constant underlying theme - detail.</blockquote>
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Okay... <i>Dynamic</i> experience and replay value? If they say so!
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You know, I also have to wonder why reviewers are slighting the graphics of this game. Some of the character models aren't that great, sure. However, just look at the screenshots on this <a href="http://rpg.pcarena.com/iwd2/">review</a>. They backdrops they use are absolutely stunning.
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Also, there's only been only <b>two</b>, not three, D&D games released this year. <a href="Http://poolofradiance.com">PoR2</a> was 2001.
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Spotted this at <A href="http://rpgdot.com">RPGDot</a>.

 

[Rosh]

...pathfinding...

Well, this is BioWare we're talking about. Pathfinding? We don' need no stinkin' pathfinding!

Sad fact is, BioWare couldn't program a pathfinding algorithm to get out of a wet paper bag.

 

[Sol Invictus]

Agreed. When reviewers and gamers talk about the poor pathfinding in Icewind Dale 2, I always point out that it isn't Black Isle's fault, because really - it's Bioware's fault for never fixing the engine, and building it in such a way that the pathfinding code is essentially built into the system and when Black Isle tried to remedy it, it only caused the game to stop running or screwed up all of the spells.

It's also the same reason why they couldn't implement Time Stop in the game without causing other newly implemented spells to break or cause the game to crash.

Icewind Dale 2, I feel, is a good game, with plenty of innovation and good design; a pity that it's held back by the damn engine.

As for the graphics, I don't know why people even need to mention that. The game looks damn pretty to me.

 

[Deathy]

Icewind Dale 2, I feel, is a good game, with plenty of innovation and good design; a pity that it's held back by the damn engine.

Yeah, and then there's that endless stream of people getting frustrated because they broke the game by killing the wrong person. I haven't played IWD2, and I never will, because I keep hearing reports from other people that make it look like the designers lack understanding of the concepts of game design.