Baldur's Gate

The world of role-playing games was born when J.R.Tolkien issued his
marvelous novel “Fellowship of the Ring”. This novel has changed the world of
teenagers. Many role-playing clubs all over the world opened their doors to
countless Tolkien admirers. In parallel, the industry of computer games has
been conquering the world of entertainment, and it’s not a surprise that these
two branches have merged into one priceless gift to the world – computer
role-playing games. Of course, people still play in elves and gnomes using
table and dice, but nothing is comparable with perfect and fascinating
3-dimensional computer game.

The best
game that can represent this genre is Baldur’s Gate. Issued by a few of the
strongest computer game companies, Baldur’s Gate is a beautiful combination of
style, excellent graphics, captivating subject and scenario, and, of course, it
submits to all laws of role-playing games.

A very
high quality of graphics can please even the most demanding judge. The picture
itself is very detailed. Little houses, trees, grass, animals, castles and
characters are seen almost like in a real world from above at some height. The
quality of graphics allows us to view characters in exquisite detail – down to
skin and hair color, clothing, weapon and armor. Every individual in the game
has its own style and color of garments, constitution, and even a face. Also
you can see a portrait of each character by clicking on the appropriate button.
Portraits are made masterfully, colorfully, and they reflect the personality of
each hero. All the colors of game are combined in balance and harmony, and are
very pleasant to the eye. One thing about graphics of Baldur’s Gate, which is
very important, is that it does not consume a lot of memory and it’s very
compact.

You will be amazed, seeing the
beauty of a landscape and buildings. The map, almost the most important thing
in all role-playing games, is very detailed, convenient and easily readable. If
a traveler is tired, he goes to the inn. If he wants to relax, drink golden ale
and listen to some useful news, he goes to the tavern,where he can also  buy
some food for his future travel. Sometimes it is very interesting to visit the
houses of townspeople. Robbery and theft are a good way to get extra money, but
you have to be very careful, because the guard in a town can imprison you and
confiscate all that you have. The scenario is developed so unexpectedly, that
you can be confused: strangers come to speak to you, ask for help or offer it,
that is how you get new quests and companions. The other side of this world are
various pirate’s dens, castles of spiteful mages, caves where the unseen horror
lives.

A very
structured and diverse system of enemies does not give the player a rest.
Unlike DOOM, where your enemies are just ugly and stupid monsters, Baldur’s
Gate acts in a more sly and cunning way. The more you investigate, the more you
discover dangerous intrigues behind your back. Something is wrong with the
world you are living in, something is wrong with people. At the end, you begin
to understand everything. Do you know that for your head some very powerful
person gives fifty thousand gold? No? Now you have to be even more careful.

And,
finally, the humor and smart dialogs between all characters impress a player by
wit and endless diversity. Each character has its own personality, point of
view. They can argue or even kill each other, and the player is unable to do
anything, because when your characters are enraged you cannot stop them. That’s
why, when you gather a company for your adventure, you must choose characters
with similar attitudes and adherence to a type of magic. When I played, my
command consisted of a very kind paladin, a druid woman,a fighter, a thief, a
black mage, and his friend, who was half-gnome and half-man. They quarreled all
the game and at the end they almost killed each other, but it was very curious
and funny to watch how they squabble and blaspheme.

There’s
no other game that represents role-playing games so correctly and precisely as
Baldur’s Gate. This game is ingeniously composed. We all can be proud that
mysterious world of fantastic heroes and mean mages, the world of our dreams
that was created by J.R.Tolkien is resurrected in computer games.The world,
that is so rich, so interesting and almost real. Baldur’s Gate is the best of
its kind.