Question and Comments *SPOILERS*

[CFM]

Originally Posted by sonny

Checked Amazon.com and they have 2 different games for PT. The 4 CD game which says it includes 2 games and Soulbringer, and the 2 CD game which does not say anything about 2 games.
Any thoughts anyone?

Amazon also has IWD and IWD2 at a reasonable price, so I think I'll go ahead and buy them and PT and that way I will have them. That's why I would appreciate any input on the PT 4 vs 2 CD games.

Torment, like most games, has been released a few different ways over the years. Torment was originally released in those larger game boxes containing 4 CDs. Later, it was released in a box containing only 2 CDs. The game files on the 2-CD release are compressed (thus only needing 2 CDs), and get un-compressed on your computer's hard drive during installation.

I think the 2-CD version of the game comes with the official patch (I think). Otherwise there is no difference between the 4-CD and 2-CD versions.

I've also seen the 2-CD version of the game bundled with Soulbringer. I've never played this game, but web reviews rate it more or less mediocre.

FYI-
The cities of Baldur's Gate and Athkatla are all located in a land called Faerun, which is a Dungeons & Dragons "universe" commonly referred to as The Forgotton Realms, which encompasses the typical fantasy setting. Farther north of the city of Baldur's Gate is the city of Neverwinter, where the NWN games take place. Farthest north is the region of Icewind Dale, where the IWD games take place.

(I downloaded a huge map of Faerun on my computer, spread out across 8 jpeg files. They're too big to attach here, but I can forward them to you if interested. Maps rule!)

I prefer the BG/PT/IWD games to the NWN games. The NWN games were geared towards a different design goal in mind: its focus is to facilitate online players adventuring together, moderated by an online dungeon master, using adventures created by the online community. So while it's maybe not fair to compare games with different design goals, I prefer BG's single player experience better.

The IWD games are a great buy. The biggest difference from the BG games are that, instead of creating one dude at the start and being joined by up to 5 NPCs, you create all 6 dudes (dude-ettes?) at the start. You still have a party of 6 to manage, but no in-party banters (no Minsc, Jan, Jahiera, etc). Also, IWD is a bit more linear than BG. But otherwise, IWD has the same high quality music, story, atmosphere, artwork, combat, etc, as BG. Maybe better.

PT, on many levels, is in a class all its own. It takes place in the Planescape "universe", one of the most unique settings you'll ever come across. You play a character called The Nameless One, and you have some, um, unique personalities join you on your adventure. You say you like story and NPCs in BG? Torment takes that to a new level.

When you're ready for a break from BG, make no mistake: I recommend your next adventure be Planescape:Torment.

(When the time comes, be sure to ask for advice with creating your Nameless One at the start. Abilities matter differently in this one.)

[galraen]

The correct Slayer Change is Slayer Start, SPIN822 (scroll to the right to see the full spell data in SK). Just adding the spell isn't sufficient, you also have to increase the number memorised (the xMem column) to at least 1, it starts at zero when you add the spell.

However, as you're a good guy, and seem to be intent on role playing that way I wouldn't bother. Every time you use it your rep takes a knock, and if it (reputation) sinks too low the good guys in your party will leave or turn against you, including Jaheira!!

PS I know she's supposed to be neutral, but that's hogwash, she should be Neutral Good, but TSR (the original AD&D creators) had this weird idea that Druids were tree hugging 'True Neutrals', and for once Bioware decided to stick by the 'rules'. Except when it comes to her personality.

[sonny]

galraen, thanks very much for the help. I'm a little leery at this point of fooling around with SK to much, so I'm going to take your advice and just finish the game without the Slayer thing, unless maybe later I get the nerve to fool around with SK a little more.
Again thanks a lot

Originally Posted by CFM

Torment, like most games, has been released a few different ways over the years. Torment was originally released in those larger game boxes containing 4 CDs. Later, it was released in a box containing only 2 CDs. The game files on the 2-CD release are compressed (thus only needing 2 CDs), and get un-compressed on your computer's hard drive during installation.

I think the 2-CD version of the game comes with the official patch (I think). Otherwise there is no difference between the 4-CD and 2-CD versions.

I've also seen the 2-CD version of the game bundled with Soulbringer. I've never played this game, but web reviews rate it more or less mediocre

(I downloaded a huge map of Faerun on my computer, spread out across 8 jpeg files. They're too big to attach here, but I can forward them to you if interested. Maps rule!)

When you're ready for a break from BG, make no mistake: I recommend your next adventure be Planescape:Torment.

CFM, thanks for all the info. I purchased IceWind Dale The Ultimate Collection last night from Amazon. It included both IWD I and II for $28.00 USD

Before I purchase PT ( the one I'm looking at is the 2CD set that includes Soulbringer, and the manual on cd), I wanted to ask if you or anyone else knows if it will run on Windows XP. The info on Amazon did not say. I'm running BG and BG2 on XP if that helps.

Thanks for all the help guys

[mcgregor]

I have the 2 CD version of P:T, which I'm currently playing for the first time, and it works fine on XP.

I saw someone else recommended the Fallout series, and I'd back that up. I rate it above the IWD games, which sometimes just feel like you have to kill everything. Slight exaggeration, of course. They (Fallout 1+2) have a tricker interface than the Infinity Engine games, but are incredibly absorbing.

mcgregor

[CFM]

Originally Posted by sonny

Before I purchase PT ( the one I'm looking at is the 2CD set that includes Soulbringer, and the manual on cd), I wanted to ask if you or anyone else knows if it will run on Windows XP. The info on Amazon did not say. I'm running BG and BG2 on XP if that helps.

Yup, as mcgregor says, PT runs on Windows XP. As does the IWD and Fallout games.

[sonny]

CFM, mcgregor, thanks guys.

Just finished ordering the game (PT) off Amazon.com

[Konalan]

One comment on the uses of the Slayer change. There is only one point in the game where you might have to use it but it isn't necessary.

*SPOILERS!*
This point occurs in the illithid lair in the underdark. The slayer can be used to open two of the unopenable doors, one to get out, and one that leads to the elder brain. The other option for opening these doors is to use one of the circlets you find to charm an illithid and use it to open the doors.

I cannot comment on Planescape: Torment, but can say that Icewind Dale is definitely a good game. As stated above, it is far more linear than Baldur's Gate, but it is still quite enjoyable. I would recommend downloading the Trials of the Luremaster expansion. It adds several new areas and fixes some bugs in the game.

[sonny]

Originally Posted by Konalan

One comment on the uses of the Slayer change. There is only one point in the game where you might have to use it but it isn't necessary.

Thanks, I've already finished the Underdark. Did not know about using it there. I used one of those circlet things. Took for ever (or so it seemed) to do it right, but I got the door opened.

Being the kind of person I am, it just bugs me not knowing what happened and why I lost it in the first place. Another thing that's bugging me is, why didn't my character die after I reloaded and the End Slayer Blue Man was there for who knows how long. From the time I clicked on it to see what would happened, died, and reloaded, I played another 20 or so game hours. And I assume that End Slayer Change icon was there all that time. Weird

Thanks for the info on the expansion.

[anarchistica]

A warning about IWD1: It can be very very boring. IWD1 has a very limited character selection (no kits, no half-orcs, no custom kits, no sorceror, no barbarian, no monk, etc) and it is mostly a dungeon grind. There's not a whole lot interaction and stuff.

[Odd Gamer]

And pray oh pray you don't get halfway threw it (guessing halfway) and find out that the game your in is gliched and you have to restart it all to finish the game!

[mcgregor]

Originally Posted by anarchistica

A warning about IWD1: It can be very very boring. IWD1 has a very limited character selection (no kits, no half-orcs, no custom kits, no sorceror, no barbarian, no monk, etc) and it is mostly a dungeon grind. There's not a whole lot interaction and stuff.

I actually thouhgt IWD1 was the better of the two games. The two final points you make - dungeon grind and not being a whole lot of inteaction - apply to both games. True on the limited character front; however, I thought the plot seemed to make more sense, it was less confused. IWD2 also seemed very rushed, and had a complicated set of rules.

mcgregor

[fable]

Since this thread has answered Sonny's questions, and has now moved onto comparisons with and between IWD1 and 2, it's closed.