February 2022 • Macworld 83has even the slightest interest in
roleplaying games, and the sheer size
of the game means that it’s excellent
value for money.
It’s a shame that this updated
Enhanced Edition couldn’t be brought
right up to date with more modern 3D
graphics, but it does get a cosmetic
makeover with high-def versions of
the original artwork, so it doesn’t
look too bad on modern computer
screens. Besides, whether in 2D or
3D, Bioware’s great strength has
always been its story-telling skill, and
Baldur’s Gate II is as captivating now
as it was nearly 30 years ago. It’s very
much traditional fantasy fare – with
you taking on the role of a warrior,
wizard, rogue or cleric – but it’s done
on a truly grand scale. Your character
is just one of many mortal offspring
spawned by
the evil god
Bhaal, and the
game pits you
against several
of your own
brothers and
sisters as they
vie to succeed
Bhaal and
claim his power
as their own.
There are
hundreds and hundreds of quests
along the way – around 300 hours
worth if you try to complete them all –
including power struggles within the
guild of Shadow Thieves, and an epic
battle with the wizard Irenicus, played
in full scenery-chewing mode by Brit
character actor David Warner. Throw
in the return of bonkers barbarian
Minsc and his giant space-hamster
Boo, and BGII is a real retro treat for
RPG fans.- Book of Demons
Price: £9.99 from fave.co/3dBXGLQ
At first glance, Book Of Demons
looks a lot like action-RPGs such as
the evergreen Diablo series, but it
also includes elements of collectable
card games and a distinctive graphics
style that gives the game a pace and
31.