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Originally Posted by fable Following that logic, any game with those qualities could just as well be called Ultima, Planescape: Torment (if we leave out the romances part), Gorasul, Anito, etc. In other words, these aren't qualities specific to the BG series, but ones that Bioware took as the general state of fantasy CRPGs. BG2 may have been the best-selling singleplayer CRPG to date, but that doesn't mean it exists in a vacuum.  |
Sure, why not? You could include PS:T in that statement. But, not Ultima, as it’s not set in the Forgotten Realms, nor is it a d&d game. But PS:T could have been released as Baldurs Gate: Planescape and no one would have thought any differently of it. It’s d&d, even though it’s in the Planes and Sigil these areas are referenced in the Forgotten Realms setting, and it has joinable NPC’s that interact like BG. I feel it would have fit, no problem. PS:T feels a lot more like BG than IWD does. Also, I hate to say it but NWN could have been BG3 and it would have worked. Now I’m not saying that that would have been a great idea. LOL! But since the setting, rule set, etc… all of the similar characteristics between the games would have made sense if Bio decided to call NWN BG3.
I think in hindsight you say no way could PS:T have been a BG expansion. But, if it were released that way you would have never known the difference.
Now, if you’re a strong proponent of the same engine has to be used for a series, and then no you would disagree with my statement. But, BG is becoming a franchise like Ultima and you’ll have to accept that different engines will be used.
One thing I left out in my first statement. I feel for it to be a BG game, there must be some references to the setting, previous games and/or NPC’s. Now it could be something as small as just having Lord British to connect the games. Or it could be something as small as just telling the story that went before (Wizardry8) and then jump you into a new adventure. Or it could have many relationships, NPC’s, introduction that tells the story, some of the same joinable NPC’s, finding books telling about the Bhaalspawn story, visiting same areas like the Cloakwood mines, etc… It could be small or large, but there should be some reference to the series.
Also by including this interjection I would also apply this to Baldurs Gate: Planescape if it was released that way. Add a few references at what was going on with the Bhaalspawn story, or maybe add Minsc as a joinable NPC who’s searching for his space hamster who got lost in the planes, and that would have sufficed.
The Ultima’s and Wizardry’s have used this formula fine, there’s no reason why BG has to be restricted by the story.