Rating

A-

Specific Ratings

GameplayA
GraphicsA
Learning CurveA
Replay ValueA-
SoundA

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Brand new dungeon and city
  • New quests
  • New storage containers
  • A very good compliment to the original game
  • Pre-set parties available
  • Have option of new game or just expansion
Cons
  • Can only advance a few more levels
  • Only a few more hours of gameplay

Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast (PC)

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Summary

A small, but good expansion pack for the excellent and classic RPG saga Baldur's Gate!

Description

This is the expansion game for the classic RPG Baldur's Gate, which started a series of excellent RPGs that have still not met their equal.

Do not expect this expansion set to be big enough to be an entire game on its own. It is not and is meant to be just a way to add a few more hours of enjoyment to the original game. So as long as you keep that kind of perspective on this expansion set, then you should get some enjoyment out of it.

The main additions to the original game that this expansion pack adds are a brand new dungeon to explore and a new city that will provide many new quests. There are also additional features and gameplay mechanics that it adds, like new containers for equipment. Bolts and arrows will now have their own storage containers, and you can find other containers or bags that are specificly used for potions or gems. There is also a wide array of new spells for the mage classes, as well as a few new weapons and armor for other characters. The downside to this expansion is that you can only advance a couple of levels, and as I mentioned before, it really is only a few hours of additional gameplay.

Graphics are good in this game, although they are not as awe inspiring as some of the games that are out today. You have to consider that when this game originally came out, it was at a time when it had really excellent graphics compared to other games released. Outdoor settings and cities were really detailed, and there was even some environmental effects like rain and wind. One thing I really liked about the graphics, is that the clothes on your character, and the NPC's changed whenever you wore different kinds of armor.

The learning curve was very good, and it is really hard to even think of this game as having one. The reason I say this is because you do have to have the original game to play this expansion, and therefore you will more than likely play the expansion as part of the original game. In other words, it is better to play Baldur's Gate from the beginning with this expansion loaded. That way all the changes will be incorporated into the original game and can experience the new dungeon and other parts of the expansion anytime during the original game. Anything that needs to be learned about the expansion game will more than likely be done during the original game, and can be applied to Tales of the Sword Coast.

I think the replay value for this expansion is decent, but I believe it would have been much higher if they would have made a larger expansion with more to do during it. It is possible to just play the expansion part, and if your party was not saved at the end of Baldur's Gate, than you can use one of the six member parties that Tales of the Sword Coast has available. But as I mentioned before, it is much better to just play Baldur's Gate with Tales of the Sword Coast loaded.

Tales of the Sword Coast did good with the sound. It had plenty of authentic weapon sounds and many characters had some interesting voices. There was ambient sound effects and plenty of background music to help push your party through the hordes of evil beasties.

I would definitely recommend this expansion, and to be honest with you, I would not play Baldur's Gate again without this expansion pack loaded.

Your fellow gamer,
Bobby

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