Why, thank you for the respond, grimwald.
I like your thoughts concerning empathy and freedom of choice.
1) of empathy.
What I do like about the Baldur's Gate games is - other than what you mentioned - that you kind of feel, that it's about YOU, the player - it almost becomes personal, in a way. At least, when one has played the whole saga (a couple of times perhaps), spending many hours in front of the screen, it must mean something, I think.
But also, as you mentioned, the people you meet in-game. Both the party members, but also many other encounters throughout the games becomes quite memorable and imprints upon your mind.
On a side note, I do also agree, that even some of the good aligned people could be considered somewhat annoying and irritating, if you would chance upon them in real life. I'm not naming any names of course...just a certain individual one can choose to pick up in the Copper Coronet...
2) freedom of choice
Actually, I heard a notion once (perhaps on a podcast) that remarked upon a distinction between computer roleplaying games, and pen and paper roleplaying games (with a Dungeon Master).
In the first, it was said, you follow a script no matter what; you might have choices (that may even be moral in nature) but you follow a sort of given direction.
In the latter, there is allegedly, a reasonable possibility to improvise and change directions along the way. This depends, I suppose, on the relevant dungeon master and how comfortable (and talented) the group members are. Still, I do not know if I agree on these notions, but freedom of choice may indeed be an important factor concerning the subject at hand.
Again, thank you for your response!
- Anara