Kraken could be just a name of a ship.
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So shut up about real krakens already.
There is one feature that made BG games work and become sort of cult classics apart from a sense of novelty at that specific time when there was no games in that specific package.
Its not the DnD rules or companions or specific combat system, although mage battles are still unsurpassed and attributed greatly to overall appreciation of the combat systems.
The single thing that made them stand out was the engaging plot, which was simple but effective - because they had great villains.
Sarevok in the first and Irenicus and Bodhy in the second.
The bhaalspawn saga was the grease that kept the wheels rolling, and the setting and the rules provided diversity of mechanics and classes and items and areas and enemies... but you felt the urge to play because of the villains most of all. They gave you the reason beyond the usual looting.
Thats something that Pillars missed in both games. In Pillars the only thing you feel when the antagonists start to explain themselves is "Wut?.... but... Why?" and "That... doesnt make any sense... wtf?" and >skip>.
All the other ingredients that are largely transcribed faithfully - and greatly improved in the Deadfire didnt help.
Icewind Dales also failed with their villains besides reducing the story importance. And all other similar games who tried to reach the fame of BG games failed at that goal.
DoS games arent any better and thats one of the reasons why they become a slog after introductory first map or two. You simply loose interest in its villains and the plot.
And i cant remember other such great villains except in Fallouts and Torment.
Baldurs Gate gave you villains you could understand, that were not just evil for lulz, or too deep emo idiots, or just imbeciles. And you loved to hate and fear them, which was a great hook.
They were impressive, from the first second you got a sense you are in sufficiently deep shit, they were sufficiently dangerous in actual combat and had clear reasons and motivations for their goals. Their visual design was excellent or great and they had great lines and voice work. Irenicus David Warner being one of the best ever.
The new game doesnt have to directly continue the Bhaalspawn saga, but can be connected to the previous games events and history easily for continuity feels, especially since Bhaal and the crew are back again in the latest editions of the setting.
But what it really needs is a similar "over your head plot" led by a great villain.
Thats the secret sauce in all the other ingredients.
Whatever Larian does with he rules and the combat system, if they dont come up with a great villain (and actual mage battles that are more then "ill throw water on your fire, nnneeeeh!") who will fuel a similarly involved plot that will keep us going into the end game, they'll only sell... a few million... copies... to idiots.
But it will suck all the same. And it wont be a proper Baldurs Gate game.
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