Top 50 Video Games: Number 9

#9: Baldur's Gate
System: PC
Publisher: Black Isle Studios
Released: 1998
Players: 1-6


Necromancer Xzar walks into a trap.


Baldur's Gate was a landmark roleplaying game in many ways. It was huge - it comes with 5 discs. It was the most ambitious RPG to come along in a long time. In the late 90's there were whispers that the PC RPG was a dying genre (much like the adventure genre today), and some were already calling it dead. Baldur's Gate revived RPGs in a big, big way as well as drawing some positive attention to the Dungeons and Dragons license it was based upon. For me, it was my first PC game. I was simply blown away by every aspect of this game (except for the part where you had to switch discs in certain areas.)

Baldur's Gate casts you into the role of an orphan whose past is shrouded in secrecy. Early on you wind up on your own - hunted, lost and confused. Gradually you meet up with people who join you on your adventure. Each of these characters has their own personality, complete with unique (and often humorous) sound bytes. The voice acting is outstanding - I can still hear the wacko Ranger Minsc screaming "Squeaky wheel gets the KICK!" When nighttime came, Tiax would proclaim "Night would DARE hamper the sight of Tiax?" The game plays in a 2d isometric perspective. I've always found well drawn 2d environments more attractive than most 3d games, and Baldur's Gate was simply gorgeous in it's time. The combat is in realtime, but can be paused at any time to take in the situation and give orders to your party. Hardcore D&D afficionados can play the battle in a turn-based style if they so choose.


Our hero meets up with Khalid and Jahiera in the Friendly Arm Inn.


You can choose to surround yourself with good or evil people or, to a point, both. Imagine my surprise here: Early in the game I had found myself sharing a party with the whiny necromancer Xzar and his violent little thief pal Montaron. When I met up with goody-goodies Khalid and Jahiera, my party would continually bicker back and forth at each other. Suddenly, just outside town, I heard the sounds of battle. I paused the game and scanned for enemies - there were none. Confused, I unpaused the game then watched in horror as my party members began duking it out with each other. Montaron died and I decided that I should spare any further bloodshed and ask Xzar to leave the party. He threatened to 'make my skull into an ashtray' then stormed off. I just love the level of detail in this game. There are quests everywhere and tons of NPCs to meet and join up with. The complex 2nd edition D&D ruleset was integrated flawlessly into this game.


A druid summons a dryad using a Summon Nature's Ally spell in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn.




Baldur's Gate had an expansion pack entitled Tales of the Sword coast, adding to the already huge amount of content in this game. Baldur's Gate II did an amazing job of picking up where the first game left off and made for a more than capable sequel. There are also a couple of Baldur's Gate games for PS2 and XBox, though they are hack and slash games that resemble their PC counterparts in name only. Baldur's Gate is everything a roleplaying game should be and more. Both PC Baldur's Gate games and their sequels can be had in box sets for around $20 each. If you're a PC gamer who likes RPGs, there are few better ways to spend your gaming time and money.