by As dusty as the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition rulebooks it’s based on, Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition is a relic from gaming’s past. For long-time tabletop RPG nerds like myself who get misty-eyed over the nostalgic glory days of rolling up a fresh character, recruiting a party of misfit NPCs, and gallivanting off in the Forgotten Realms to bash in the heads of some ne’er-do-wells, this antiquated fantasy adventure still hits a certain sweet spot. Baldur’s Gate’s classic sword swinging and spell flinging is well-preserved in this iPad port of the PC original, though it’s perhaps a little too faithful to its roots for modern times.
Recreating the many complexities of its tabletop counterpart, the old-school approach of Baldur’s Gate is equal parts heartwarming and daunting. From meticulously managing a broad assortment of weapons, spells, and items for each party member to getting a handle on the unwieldy interface’s exhaustive array of buttons and menus, there’s a ton to digest once you step foot into the dangerous realm. The overall depth and detail is impressive, but it takes some serious effort and a good measure of patience to wrap your brain around everything the game throws at you in the beginning.
Battles have you micromanaging the actions of each party member in real-time brawls that’ll frequently wipe out your entire group early on, forcing frequent reloads. While being able to pause the action to queue up attacks lets you strategize to an extent, moving around and targeting foes is a muddled process with the touchscreen.
Most of the enhancements in this portable edition appear in the form of subtle, behind-the-scenes tweaks, though additions like new unlockable characters — via in-app purchases — and a new separate arena battling mode side story named “The Black Pits” are welcome extras. Otherwise, Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition still looks and plays very much like the original, and the hard-edged, old-school formula can feel creaky and unforgiving at times.
The bottom line. Balder’s Gate: Enhanced Edition perhaps isn’t as shiny and new as its name suggests, but if you’re willing to put up with some antiquated RPG designs, there’s a lengthy and satisfying quest to be had here.
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