Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal explained

Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
Developer:BioWare
Publisher:Black Isle Studios
Interplay Entertainment
Director:James Ohlen
Producer:Douglas W. Avery
Designer:Kevin Martens
Programmer:Mark Darrah
Artist:Matthew M. Goldman
Composer:Howard Drossin
Inon Zur
Series:Baldur's Gate
Engine:Infinity Engine
Released:WindowsMac OS, Mac OS X
21 November 2001[1]
Genre:Role-playing
Modes:Single-player, multiplayer
Platforms:Windows, Macintosh

Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal is a 2001 expansion pack for the role-playing video game .[2] [3] [4] It adds a multi-level dungeon called Watcher's Keep to the game and completes the main plot.[2] There are several new weapons, a higher level cap, a further refined Infinity graphics engine, and new class-related features and magical skills. The novelization of the game was written by Drew Karpyshyn and released in September 2001.[5]

Gameplay

The gameplay is similar to previous entries in the Baldur's Gate series, with the player controlling a party of up to six characters, including the protagonist, who can be custom designed at the beginning of the game. The player can also import their character from either Baldur's Gate or .

In expanding from the original game, Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal adds a number of features that distinguish it from the original. It is set in a number of new locations in Tethyr. It has a new level 40 experience limit, new high-level monsters, and new items. It has a new dungeon, Watcher's Keep, which can be accessed from both the original Shadows of Amn game and the Throne of Bhaal campaign. All of the non-player characters (NPCs) from the original game are available with the exception of Yoshimo. The game also adds a new NPC, Sarevok, and a new mage class kit, Wild Mage.

Plot

Story

The story is based on a war that breaks out in Tethyr amongst the Bhaalspawn.[6] The player character (PC) must venture through regions including the city of Saradush, which is under siege by fire giants,[7] a fortress in the Underdark, and a monastery in Amkethran.[8] Through the game, the PC has to defeat a quintet of legendary Bhaalspawn, known as The Five.

As the story progresses, The Five kill all their brethren, despite the efforts of Melissan, a woman trying to save all the innocent Bhaalspawn and keep them safe in Saradush. Only when the PC kills off The Five and uncovers his own power is the truth revealed: Melissan is in fact Amelyssan the Blackhearted, the mastermind behind both The Five and the slaughterer of all the Bhaalspawn. She was once Bhaal's high priestess, to whom he entrusted the task of his resurrection. She does not intend to resurrect the god, however. Instead, she is preparing to become the Goddess of Murder herself.

With all quests finished and all Bhaalspawn killed, the PC must journey to the planar Throne of Bhaal for the great final battle against Amelyssan. Ultimately, the PC is presented with the choice of either ascending the throne of Bhaal or destroying it and returning to peaceful life as a mortal. If the PC chooses to ascend, they have the option of either becoming the new God of Murder or becoming a deity dedicated to good and righteousness.

Characters

Reception

Sales

In the United States, Throne of Bhaal entered at #5 on NPD Intelect's computer game sales chart for the 24–30 June period,[9] then fell to #7 in its second week and #10 in its third.[10] [11] It debuted in 13th place on NPD Intelect's monthly chart for June 2001 as a whole.[12] By the game's fourth week, it was absent from the weekly top 10,[13] but it remained on the monthly sales charts at 13th in July and 20th in August, according to NPD.[14] [15] It exited the monthly top 20 by September.[16] By the first week of November, Throne of Bhaal had sold 85,451 units in the United States alone. Remarking on this performance at the time, GameSpot writer Desslock noted that the game had "sold well and continue[s] to do so".[17] Its sales in the United States were above 100,000 units, but below 480,000 units, by 2006.[18]

According to BioWare, global sales of Throne of Bhaal reached roughly 500,000 copies by December 2002.[19]

Critical reviews

Chris Chan of the New Straits Times gave Throne of Bhaal a favorable review and praised available customisation options.[7] GameSpy called the game a "brilliant end to a brilliant gaming saga".[20] IGN awarded Throne of Bhaal an Editors' Choice Award.[21]

Awards

Throne of Bhaal received the "PC Role-Playing" award from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the 5th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.[22] It was named the year's best computer game expansion pack by Computer Gaming World,[23] IGN, RPG Vault,[24] GameSpy and—tying with —PC Gamer US.[25] [26] GameSpot and Computer Games Magazine nominated it as the best expansion pack of 2001, but it lost these prizes to Yuri's Revenge and , respectively.[27] [28] It was also a finalist in The Electric Playgrounds "Best RPG for PC" category, which went to .[29]

The editors of Computer Gaming World wrote: "Throne of Bhaal did what Ultima IX should have done: provided a great send-off to an established franchise. It's a superlative, satisfying reward for those who shepherded their little hero all the way from BG1". Those of PC Gamer US called it "as masterful as its predecessor, Baldur's Gate II" and wrote that it "may be the most expansive expansion pack ever".

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sellers . Dennis . 16 November 2003 . Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal due Nov. 21 . 6 April 2024 . Macworld.
  2. Web site: Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal (Review) . https://web.archive.org/web/20020216023813/http://pc.ign.com/articles/165/165962p1.html . dead . 16 February 2002 . Conrad . Jeremy . IGN.com . 29 June 2001 . 19 January 2008.
  3. Web site: Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal Review . Lafferty . Michael . GameZone . 24 August 2001 . 19 January 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081005215302/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r17908.htm . 5 October 2008.
  4. Web site: Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal (PC) Review . Moran . Reid . 3 July 2001 . G4 TV . 19 January 2008.
  5. Book: Karpyshyn, Drew . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151458/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G2-2698500182.html . dead . 2 April 2015 . . 1 January 2007 . 9 June 2013.
  6. News: Top 10 games of 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160325035209/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-82644534.html . dead . 25 March 2016 . Chan, Chris . . 7 January 2002 . 21 November 2012.
  7. News: Non-stop action in epic adventure game . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092452/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-82616665.html . dead . 4 March 2016 . Chan, Chris . . 23 July 2001 . 28 November 2012.
  8. News: Yes, game sequels can be good . https://web.archive.org/web/20160319000914/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1N1-0EFF0013B421909F.html . dead . 19 March 2016 . Cappellini, Matt . . Aurora, Illinois . 6 September 2001 . 27 November 2012.
  9. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20011218005650/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2784228,00.html . Diablo takes the throne . . Varanini, Giancarlo . 11 July 2001 . 18 December 2001 . dead . 1 November 2018 . dmy-all.
  10. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20020203222117/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2791070,00.html . Diablo holds on . . Varanini, Giancarlo . 18 July 2001 . 3 February 2002 . dead . 1 November 2018 . dmy-all.
  11. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20020203023617/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2798166,00.html . Diablo still reigns . . Varanini, Giancarlo . 25 July 2001 . 3 February 2002 . dead . 1 November 2018 . dmy-all.
  12. READ.ME; 20 Top-Selling PC Games in June . Staff . . 207 . October 2001 . 41.
  13. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20011218013744/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2800621,00.html . Diablo II: Lord of Destruction rolls on . Walker, Trey . 1 August 2001 . 18 December 2001 . . dead . 1 November 2018 . dmy-all.
  14. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20020210224840/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2814102,00.html . Diablo II rules August . . 21 September 2001 . 10 February 2002 . Walker, Trey . dead . 1 November 2018 . dmy-all.
  15. READ.ME; 20 Top-Selling PC Games in July . Staff . . 208 . November 2001 . 49.
  16. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20011211181915/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2820323,00.html . Camelot takes the lead . Walker, Trey . 25 October 2001 . 11 December 2001 . . dead . 1 November 2018 . dmy-all.
  17. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20011124191748/http://desslock.gamespot.com/#20011123-01 . Desslock's Ramblings - Wizardry 8 Arrives, Kinda; RPG Sales Stats Updated . Desslock . November 23, 2001 . . November 24, 2001 . dead.
  18. https://web.archive.org/web/20121017165955/http://www.edge-online.com/features/top-100-pc-games-21st-century/ . The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century. Edge Staff . August 25, 2006 . . October 17, 2012 . dead.
  19. Web site: About BioWare . https://web.archive.org/web/20021207211601/http://www.bioware.com/bioware_info/about/ . 7 December 2002 . . 1 November 2018 . dead . dmy-all.
  20. Web site: Rausch . Allen . 19 August 2004 . A History of D&D Video Games - Part V . GameSpy . 17 November 2012.
  21. Web site: IGN.com Editors' Choice Awards . IGN.com . 19 January 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071112125146/http://uk.pc.ign.com/index/choice.html . 12 November 2007 . dmy.
  22. https://web.archive.org/web/20020306070041/http://www.interactive.org/newsandevents.asp . Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Announces Recipients of Fifth Annual Interactive Achievement Awards . 1 March 2002 . . 6 March 2002 . dead . Las Vegas.
  23. ((Editors of Computer Gaming World)) . . Games of the Year; The Very Best of a (Sometimes) Great Year in Gaming . April 2002 . 213 . 69–73, 76–84.
  24. Web site: Staff . The RPG Vault Awards 2001 . . 18 January 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071006130522/http://rpgvaultarchive.ign.com/features/specials/awards01.shtml . 6 October 2007 . 1 November 2018 . dead . dmy-all.
  25. March 2002 . The Eighth Annual PC Gamer Awards . 9 . 3 . 32, 33, 36, 36, 37, 40, 42 . . Staff.
  26. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20090206121431/http://archive.gamespy.com/goty2001/index.shtml . Welcome to the GameSpy 2001 Game of the Year Awards! . . 6 February 2009 . dead . dmy-all . 1 November 2018.
  27. Staff . . 11th Annual Computer Games Awards . March 2002 . 136 . 50–56.
  28. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20020204194024/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/pc/bestof_2001/index.html . GameSpot's Best and Worst PC Games of 2001 . GameSpot PC Staff . . 4 February 2002 . dead.
  29. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20031013014200/http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?article=8152&page=1#mr_toppy . Blister Awards 2001 . Staff . 13 October 2003 . . dead . 1 November 2018 . dmy-all.

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