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Classic Computer RPG-ing

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 19 / 19
Date: August 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

When Interplay shot life into the nearly-dead Computer-Roleplaying Game genre in 1997 with their smash hit Fallout, and then followed up with Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment, Fallout 2, and the like, it was a refreshing, bold new start on an overlooked area of the gaming market. The only real competition for Interplay's games at first was Blizzard's Diablo, an action romp that lacked the involved plot of the Interplay/Black Isle games. Where Interplay's games were story-and-character based, Diablo was more of a dungeon crawl that involved killing everything, finding better items, and had very little real role-playing involved. While that amused some, for those that craved games with more depth, Interplay truly came through.

So because of Diablo - or, perhaps, in spite of it - Black Isle decided to release Icewind Dale, a classic dungeon-crawl game where dialogue is minimal, and killing is everything. Weaving together several unrelated adventures from the annals of TSR's library (yes, some of us are old enough to remember!), Icewind Dale allows you to create an entire party of six (you aren't forced to play wretched multi-class characters a la BG and BG2, thank goodness) for adventuring in an around the northern part of the Forgotten Realms world. The plot is linear, instead of free-form, and dialogue and character development is far less important than attacking the biggest and baddest monsters until they die.

That may sound like a bit of a trade-off, and it is. It makes gameplay more limited, as there is very little wandering around and wondering what to do next. The plot, while engaging, isn't as "epic" as the events in the Baldur's Gate series (although, it resembles the traditional definition of "epic" more than anything). But, instead of being forced to have certain party members, or even to play a character that wasn't at all what you had in mind when creating him or her, you are allowed total freedom to develop - and, subsequently, role-play - your party as you see fit.

Icewind Dale (courtesy of Bioware's Infinity Engine) certainly rises above the "click on the monsters over and over to win" MO of Diablo, and will likely entertain those who wish more out of a game than - well - clicking a lot on monsters. It resembles Baldur's Gate less than it resembles old-school C-RPGs like Bard's Tale and the early Might and Magic games. Players looking for something like Baldur's Gate are going to be disappointed; gamers looking for an old-fashioned dungeon crawl, where they are in control, won't have anything to worry about. I prefer playing Icewind Dale to Baldur's Gate or BG2 any day; this, my friends, is what classic Dungeons and Dragons is supposed to be about.

A word to the wise - get Heart of Winter, as it allows you to go up to 30th level, adds a bunch of new spells, and makes some pretty important fixes. It's worth the extra money. In addition, visit Black Isle's website to get the patch (you will need it - Interplay should learn the definition of "playtesting") as well as an additional free expansion, Trials of the Luremaster. Trust me - true roleplayers will love Icewind Dale. It is money well-spent, for those with the tastes to enjoy it.

Icewind Dale

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 11
Date: June 25, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I really enjoy playing Icewind Dale. It has a lot of action, very nice graphics and it's based on a good story.

You should not fall in[to] the trap compare it to Baldur's Gate series. Baldur's Gate had no predefined route. It was your choice to visit some places first after the other. That was a little too much for me since sometimes I visited the same place or I didn't remember where I've left someone of my group... B. Gate is on[e] of the best games I've ever played, but sometimes I would like a change..

Here comes Icewind Dale. It is here to satisfy different needs. One way story, that will allow you to focus on action-strategy-rpg gaming. Less to think and remember, more concentration on battle tactics, fast action, many different enemies, great balance on the character and npc levels. Big variety of weapons, spells and many classes to build your characters.

The Heart of Winter is the reply to those who said the Icewind Dale is a small game. It takes your team to higher levels. It came the time I was getting sad since I was close to finish the game!

It has a special place in my heart and I would love to see Icewind Dale 2.. (???)

ICE WIND DALE

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 54
Date: March 22, 2001
Author: Amazon User

THIS IS A VERY KEWL GAME. MELLOW OUT NARK?!?! THE GRAPHICS ARE TOATALLY SMASHIN BUT THE MULTIPLAY TOATALLY CRACKED OUT.

Too little, too short, unless you haven't played BG/BG2

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 8 / 13
Date: May 27, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I bought Icewind Dale and HoW together, and still found that it lacked the length and complexity that I have come to expect from Black Isle products. If you have not played Baldur's Gate 1 or 2, then you will probably love this game: it is still better than most of the stuff out there. If you have, you will be a bit disappoited. But buy it anyway. It is worth a play.

Worth buying, but yet lacking....

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: October 23, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Bearing in mind this was released before Baldurs Gate 2.

This game has many strong points
- excellent graphics and sound. The scenery was FANTASTIC - better than Baldurs Gate 2 as well (at least so I felt). Even just travelling is a joy in itself.
- strong plot
- easy to understand controls (thanks to the consistency of the Infinity game engine)

Weaker points
- The game really isn't character driven, it's story driven. Meaning it is focused on telling a story and you're being taken along for the ride. As a result, I really felt that my choices had no real bearing on the plot.

If you love DnD then it's worth buying. Particularly if you're looking for a cheap game and a bit of hack and slash. If you love DnD and looking for the ultimate player experience, I recommend you buy Baldurs Gate II with Throne of Bhaal.

Two Pieces Of Junk For The Price Of...Two

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 4 / 43
Date: June 22, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Before you run out and make a commitment to the worst RPG game on the market complete with an expansion pack, consider what you might buy with your hard-earned dollars instead. Icewind Dale was so disappointing it just made me sick. And the fact that I had the expansion pack to boot didn't make me feel any better. I don't know that I have the words to explain why it is so bad. I think it is sufficient to leave my testimonial. Spend you money on something else. That's all that needs to be said

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