Baldur s GateThe world of role-playing games was bornwhen J.R.Tolkien issued his marvelous novel Fellowship of the Ring . Thisnovel has changed the world of teenagers. Many role-playing clubs all over theworld opened their doors to countless Tolkien admirers. In parallel, theindustry of computer games has been conquering the world of entertainment,
andit s not a surprise that these two branches have merged into one priceless giftto the world computer role-playing games. Of course, people still play inelves and gnomes using table and dice, but nothing is comparable with perfectand fascinating 3-dimensional computer game.The best game thatcan represent this genre is Baldur s Gate. Issued by a few of the strongestcomputer game companies,
Baldur s Gate is a beautiful combination of style,excellent graphics, captivating subject and scenario, and, of course, itsubmits to all laws of role-playing games.A very high qualityof graphics can please even the most demanding judge. The picture itself isvery detailed. Little houses, trees, grass, animals, castles and characters areseen almost like in a real world from above at some height.
The quality ofgraphics allows us to view characters in exquisite detail down to skin andhair color, clothing, weapon and armor. Every individual in the game has itsown style and color of garments, constitution, and even a face. Also you cansee a portrait of each character by clicking on the appropriate button.Portraits are made masterfully, colorfully, and they reflect the personality ofeach hero. All the colors of game are combined in balance and harmony, and arevery pleasant to the eye.
One thing about graphics of Baldur s Gate, which isvery important, is that it does not consume a lot of memory and it s verycompact.You will be amazed, seeing the beauty of alandscape and buildings. The map, almost the most important thing in allrole-playing games, is very detailed, convenient and easily readable. If atraveler is tired, he goes to the inn. If he wants to relax, drink golden aleand listen to some useful news, he goes to the tavern,where he
can also buysome food for his future travel. Sometimes it is very interesting to visit thehouses of townspeople. Robbery and theft are a good way to get extra money, butyou have to be very careful, because the guard in a town can imprison you andconfiscate all that you have. The scenario is developed so unexpectedly, thatyou 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 arevarious pirate s dens, castles of spiteful mages, caves where the unseen horrorlives.A very structuredand 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 amore sly and cunning way. The more you investigate, the more you discoverdangerous intrigues behind your back. Something is wrong with the world you areliving in, something is wrong with
people. At the end, you begin to understandeverything. Do you know that for your head some very powerful person givesfifty thousand gold? No? Now you have to be even more careful.And, finally, thehumor and smart dialogs between all characters impress a player by wit andendless diversity. Each character has its own personality, point of view. Theycan 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, whenyou gather a company for your adventure, you must choose characters withsimilar attitudes and adherence to a type of magic. When I played, my commandconsisted of a very kind paladin, a druid woman,a fighter, a thief, a blackmage, and his friend, who was half-gnome and half-man. They quarreled all thegame and at the end they almost killed each other, but it was very curious andfunny to watch how they squabble and blaspheme.
There sno other game that represents role-playing games so correctly and precisely asBaldur s Gate. This game is ingeniously composed. We all can be proud thatmysterious world of fantastic heroes and mean mages, the world of our dreamsthat 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 ofits kind.