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#21 Azazello

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Posted 14 May 2019 - 11:12 AM

<snip>
Again some really good points you bring out.
 
Appreciate your critiques.
Spoiler

 
Cool. We agree & disagree.
 
Spoiler

 
 
Keep those reviews coming!

Edited by Azazello, 15 July 2019 - 08:29 AM.


#22 Sergio

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Posted 23 May 2019 - 02:06 AM

Imoen Romance [BG2] -->Top notch mod, definitely recommended. 
 

So far, the good:

Spoiler

So, having said all of this, why am I not into it?

THE BAD.

Spoiler

 

 

So.. how to avoid these technical issues? It’s easy, don’t use huge compilations and focus in little to no (mod-added) content for your playthrough. This way, you are totally sure you won’t be missing anything relevant for the mod, because this has to be tasted and experienced in all his majesty. It would be a snub to yourself not to try it. But know that technical issues may arise and make you pissed with it.

Go for it!
 


Edited by Sergio, 26 May 2019 - 09:39 PM.

Low hung brow, dazed look on your face..... It appears that you are correct, my friend. You are indeed a complete imbecile.


#23 Isewein

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Posted 23 May 2019 - 02:27 AM

Thanks for the reviews. I would just advise you to specify more clearly when you play "unofficial" versions of these mods adapted by Roxanne - as you see with Blucher's Expanded Thief Stronghold, they frequently introduce new bugs, change the story or refocus it around Sandrah Sue. It's not fair on the original authors to not make that distinction clear.

 

That being said, I have to agree with your scathing reviews of most older quest mods. They simply don't integrate themselves seamlessly into the BG experience, and are pretty much only worth it nowadays if you can't get enough of IE experience and/or wish to explore them as objects of historical interest. We have to remember that many of them would likely have ended up as standalone modules in the NWN fashion had this been more easily implementable in BG at the time, so they bear little connection to the main game.

 

Personally, I enjoyed DSotSC and Askavar at least, and would recommend them to new players. As long as you're not a die-hard completionist, these mods offer new side quests which can easily be ignored if not found to your liking, without imbalancing the main game too strongly or detracting from its story and atmosphere. The same, unfortunately, can not be said of the other mods. Fishing for Trouble is very well executed and has gorgeous areas, but due to the flaws pointed out by you it really does feel like a chore rather than a game. Additionally, SoA is already so stuffed with sidequests that my tolerance for more might be lower than in BG1. Regarded on its own merits FFT may even be better than DSotSC, but it integrates itself less well.



#24 Sergio

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Posted 23 May 2019 - 02:41 AM

Care to explain what were the changes added by Roxanne to Blucher's Expanded Thief Stronghold?

I checked some old reviews and the content seem to match: https://sorcerers.ne...d-review.57148/


Edited by Sergio, 23 May 2019 - 05:16 AM.

Low hung brow, dazed look on your face..... It appears that you are correct, my friend. You are indeed a complete imbecile.


#25 Isewein

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Posted 23 May 2019 - 03:20 AM

I don't know for sure (never played Roxanne's version), but K4thos just mentioned it above and it has happened with many other mods before.



#26 Fouinto

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Posted 23 May 2019 - 10:38 AM

I don't know for sure (never played Roxanne's version), but K4thos just mentioned it above and it has happened with many other mods before.

K4thos said that Roxanne has changed Expanded Mage Stronghold (or whatever the name of the mod) : Indeed, she has, in particular, removed the whole ending (maybe the last 20-25% of the story) and even more !

However, about Expanded Thief Stronghold, maybe she has changed things,but I have not noticed a single change.

 

Edit : I agree that the use of unofficial mods should be stated.

Edit : BTW, Thank you for the reviews !


Edited by Fouinto, 23 May 2019 - 10:40 AM.


#27 Sergio

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Posted 30 May 2019 - 11:46 PM

Shards of Ice -> I don't recommend this mod. Only the third component may be worth it to some of you, but I don't care about it.

Spoiler

So, I won't install this mod anymore. 


Edited by Sergio, 29 December 2019 - 01:22 AM.

Low hung brow, dazed look on your face..... It appears that you are correct, my friend. You are indeed a complete imbecile.


#28 Azazello

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Posted 31 May 2019 - 04:02 PM

BG1 - Unfinished Bussiness

First component ...

Not a propitious start! :lol:

 

But the component wasn't included until apparently the EE era of the mod: http://forums.pocket...ic,29556.0.html


Edited by Azazello, 01 June 2019 - 11:20 AM.


#29 Sergio

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Posted 23 June 2019 - 11:26 PM

Vampire World --> not recommended. 

Version played: 0.50

Check here: http://www.shsforums...r-eet/?p=606454


Edited by Sergio, 24 June 2019 - 05:16 AM.

Low hung brow, dazed look on your face..... It appears that you are correct, my friend. You are indeed a complete imbecile.


#30 The Imp

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Posted 24 June 2019 - 02:18 AM

Vampire World --> not recommended. 

Version played: 0.50

There is not much to say:  I met a lot of bugs.

And you can't produce a weidu.log to even provide a base info of possible conflicting mods. Sure.

And Bodhi was a "She". So ...


Yep, Jarno Mikkola. my Mega Mod FAQ. Use of the BWS, and how to use it(scroll down that post a bit). 
OK, desert dweller, welcome to the sanity, you are free to search for the limit, it's out there, we drew it in the sand. Ouh, actually it was still snow then.. but anyways.


#31 Sergio

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Posted 28 June 2019 - 01:39 PM

Alternatives [BG2] -> Play it once and see if it matches your taste. In my case it didn’t.
 
I played this mod time ago, so what I remember isn't exactly fresh, but there is a poet that tells you that things should be reviewed after they are filtered by your mind and become memories. And to be honest, I think that this mod may be the best candidate for this kind of review.
 
 
What this mod intends to do 


Spoiler
As the title suggests, you can now ask:
> the paladins for their help in reaching spellhold.
 
Or why not... 
> forget about Imoen and go to Maztica? A npc will offer you the chance to avoid all these hassles and propose to leave behind you all the pressing matters you may have. If you are into roleplaying, this part of the mod can offer new insights to your <charname>. A certain Charname may not care about Imoen or maybe he is afraid of Irenicus.  Or maybe he doesn’t care about either. You decide.
 
 
Review
 
                                                              Paladin route
The readme tells everything you need to know: «Yes, the "Paladin Route" is unoriginal. It was never intended to be otherwise, as it was designed for the protagonist who wants to go in, get the job done, and get out without compromising his morals along the way».
 
I will explain better: you just kill the guilds for the paladins and you are done with it. Someone may enjoy this part but I can live without. Also, I completely forgot about it, even if I played it a couple of months ago.

 
                                                            Maleficus Route
 
I think this route is well done. The quests are creative and to be honest I would like to have it in all my games. But... there is an issue. This is spoiler heavy, so don’t read if you plan to play the mod.
 
Spoiler
 
After you’ve finally done all the quests for Malficus, you are brought to Spellhold via Samoen. Unknowingly to Charname, Malficus is working for Bodhi. But escorting you in this mission is Sime. So... I think this is not coherent at all with bodhi’s character and attitudes.
 
In vanilla games, you get Sime only if you work with Shadow thieves. For Malficus, you destroyed the whole thieves guild ... and now Sime is working for Bodhi? 
 
At the point of arrival, you get (as any ordinary BG2 game) ambushed by Vampires; Sime tells you: «I am sorry for the deception. If it gives you any comfort, Malficus was merely following the orders of his employer, Bodhi, a powerful and demanding mistress. Again, I can only appologize that the lies were necessary. Regardless, you are here now, so I suggest you make the most of it».
 
This opens a can of worms. 

As explained by Arthas in G3

Seems weird that she gets hired again by Bodhi and is so eager to please and actually blames Saemon and tells you who Malficus was working for... After all, I doubt very much Malficus would tell her who she works for or actually get in touch with him for work given his background
A personal note: I think Sime should just be removed altogether, because Saemon doesn't need someone to watch his back. He keeps his word, when he is sure that it can get in a even worse mess. He would not avoid doing his job, given the consequences that he would face. And he already knows both Bodhi and Irenicus, so...
 



Edit: does anyone know why some of my spoilers do not close?
 

Edited by Sergio, 28 June 2019 - 01:49 PM.

Low hung brow, dazed look on your face..... It appears that you are correct, my friend. You are indeed a complete imbecile.


#32 jastey

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Posted 29 June 2019 - 12:26 AM

Edit: does anyone know why some of my spoilers do not close?

You mean it's not only my scriptblocker again? No, I don't know.

 

Thank you for the review. The funny thing is, that when playing the "paladin route" for the first time, my LG HC couldn't agree to just stomping in an killing all Shadow Thieves as a righteous task. Yes, they are evil, yes, they murder and are in slave trade etcpp. but just stomping in and killing everyone inside didn't seem like a righteous task. Also, would this mod be in beta still I'd vote for at least take on the vampire guild first. Right now, the righteous paladins ask to destroy the guild who is fighting off the vampire threat first, which comes off as a bit weird if thinking about the long run.

I totally understand why the mod was designed the way it is - using the present possibilities and making something new out of it, but it doesn't really work for me. My HC couldn't shake the feeling that the Order of the Aster is a bunch of holier-than-thou vigilantism warriors.



#33 Sergio

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Posted 29 June 2019 - 12:55 AM

Honestly I thought about it a bit and I'm pretty sure that you are acting more than a zealot rather than a paladin by killing the shadow thieves.

Willing or unwilling, they were opposing a bigger evil: going in and destroying the shadow thieves guilds first, then the vampire guild, means you would leave a power vacuum in the city that may attract unwanted attention to the city itself. 

 


Low hung brow, dazed look on your face..... It appears that you are correct, my friend. You are indeed a complete imbecile.


#34 The Imp

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Posted 29 June 2019 - 04:00 AM

Honestly I thought about it a bit and I'm pretty sure that you are acting more than a zealot rather than a paladin by killing the shadow thieves.
Willing or unwilling, they were opposing a bigger evil: going in and destroying the shadow thieves guilds first, then the vampire guild, means you would leave a power vacuum in the city that may attract unwanted attention to the city itself.

And you don't think they couldn't fill in that role ? That power vacuum wouldn't exist if the zealots controlled the people. Aka, it can always be filled in with bad people. See inquisition.


Yep, Jarno Mikkola. my Mega Mod FAQ. Use of the BWS, and how to use it(scroll down that post a bit). 
OK, desert dweller, welcome to the sanity, you are free to search for the limit, it's out there, we drew it in the sand. Ouh, actually it was still snow then.. but anyways.


#35 Sergio

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Posted 29 June 2019 - 06:06 AM

Honestly I thought about it a bit and I'm pretty sure that you are acting more than a zealot rather than a paladin by killing the shadow thieves.
Willing or unwilling, they were opposing a bigger evil: going in and destroying the shadow thieves guilds first, then the vampire guild, means you would leave a power vacuum in the city that may attract unwanted attention to the city itself.

And you don't think they couldn't fill in that role ? That power vacuum wouldn't exist if the zealots controlled the people. Aka, it can always be filled in with bad people. See inquisition.

I'm not too much into D&D so you're free to correct me (or AD&D in this case). From what I know D&D world is a very harsh world...

Now you are in the capital of Amn, getting asked to kill who who knows how many people (many) by a paladin guild and this honestly strikes me as pretty weird. I doubt very much mass murders would be tolerated in Athkatla, basically circumventing the justice system and taking the matter on your own hands. You tell me, hey maybe they got the placet of someone that is high in powers, but.... I’m still not convinced.

Said this,

> The paladins are acting, as I said, unlawfully.

> Making them able to go in and just cleanse the thieves guild, would make the other factions actually go mad (read other factions as the other temples). You’re telling me that now paladins are free to decide the fate of the factions inside the city? For which reason? Because they are paladins? Who autorized them?

> The factions seem weak, at least in vanilla game. Or at least I envision them as such, because they are simply unable to solve even the simplest matter (the rise of the Beholder god) and general lack of help to thieves. It’s true that thieves resort even to bad stuff, like ambushes where they ask you the gold and so on, but nothing comparable to the risk of a rising vampire guild inside one of the most populated cities.

> The thieves (seem to) have a code. You are supposed to behave in a certain way and the area is actually watched by thieves (see the dialogues with Yoshimo). So you’re not going inside Athkatla without having a watchful eye over you and I’m pretty sure that if things go wrong in some way, they would be especially willing to report to higher powers in the city that a certain guy\girl is doing bad stuff.

> Finally, the killing of both guilds to make them subbed by paladins would leave a vacuum. Which group is now the strongest? And are you sure that the others would just accept what happened?

> Not only that, are we sure that the paladins are not getting manipulated by a third faction to do their bidding? Because I wouldn’t expect such a behaviour from paladins.

> Add to that....There are actually factions, even mentioned, inside the city (see Mae’var quests). You are not doing any good to the city, because who knows if someone else would just migrate to the city and try to pose a new order. And this time it won’t be thieves guild, maybe it would be a cyric cult doing their stuff with a base inside the old residence of thieves. And you’re telling me that killing both guilds is a good idea?

> Last thing... you are killing thieves. And you expect that no one would come in and try to kill you or murder you? I would actually say that the fact that no one comes to you after you’ve killed the thieves for the vampires, is that the vampires are actually draining everyone that even comes near to you. Right after you emerge from the underdark, no sane person would try to actually kill <charname>.
But before taking the ship with Saemon? A paladin path would be straight road to hell. Killing so many people would send ripples all over the city and informations about what happened and who did that would surely be spread by the paladin guild and you would be probably starting BG1 again with a nice reward on your head gently offered by the thieves guild.

Now, I seem to remember a more elegant solution for the thieves problem was added by the questpack, where you get asked by Inspector Braga to solve the matter, but I don’t remember if you just get asked to kill Aran Linvail and be done with it. If that’s the case, please forget what I just said in this statement.

Honestly, the more I think how things were executed, the more I’m curious about the third path added by Vlad. There is only one way I would go for such a path: you kill both on your own accord and not because someone else told you to do so. <charname> may get pissed he is getting both monitored and manipulated. Honestly, I would get a bit frustrated knowing that I’m a pawn of the two guilds, to the point where I’m getting a proposal by a vampire (that is interested in me for who knows which reason) and a guild that stalks me and knows I’m having contact with said vampire, only to actually lower the price because they are afraid the vampire proposed me a better offer.
You say that I’m forced to go with one of the guilds? I don’t truly think so, I will die by my hands and I will take the matter in my hands. If you think you’re fooling around with me, you are not going to have a easy life. I may take the hardest path, but it is the path that I’ve chosen for myself, and not the path chosen by others for me.


Edited by Sergio, 12 September 2019 - 05:06 AM.

Low hung brow, dazed look on your face..... It appears that you are correct, my friend. You are indeed a complete imbecile.


#36 Sergio

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Posted 09 July 2019 - 04:59 AM

Assassination [BG2] --> an ok mod. Play it once and see if you enjoy it.

So, I had expectations for this mod. These expectations came from the name, “Assassination”. In my language, such a name has a “dark tone” and I thought it was content for evil players (the addition of a reputation requirement strengthened my thought). But... I’m sorry to say I’m not sure the mod is targeted for Evil players.  

To sum up, these were the expectations I had for this mod:

1) Content for evil players;
2) Meaningful content: what I mean is that the quests I’m assigned should make me explore the thoughts of Charname and his behaviour: is (my current) charname only interested in money? Does he act honorably? Does Charname have  a personal code he follows? 

In D&D, murders do not have the stigma they have in real life. So, a CB charname or a NB charname could resort to murders, if given the chance. Even a paladin can do them.

The issue I found with Assassination is that rather than “assassinations”, most of the times you are administering justice, even if you are not resorting to the legal ways. The majority of people you are getting asked to kill all have evident flaws and ill will for others. This is a huge limit, because the whole story turns into a quest mod where you kill people without giving it a second thought, rather than a way to develop Charname and why he does what he does. Said this, the mod was able to stir a strong emotion in me for the second quest (a positive achievement, I assure you).

 

Technical note: In my playthrough, Jaheira didn’t react to the death of the two harpers.




Impression about 9th quest: I didn’t like the 9th mission.

Spoiler


Edit: I still have to do the last mission.
Edit 2: Couldn't play last mission because it was bugged.
Edit 3: in the end I've also played the last mission. I started a new game in a modfree environment. To my dismay, I noticed that the mod railroads you. For example, I was playing a bloodthirsty charname this time - no matter what I did, I couldn't kill the target as soon as I met him, even if the dialogues seems to imply the option. You can't act the way you would like - you always have to follow the "fixed" trail - so if that means that two guards have to get spawned, they will get spawned, no matter which dialogue option you choose. 
Same for the dialogues: even if you want to kill the target as soon as it happens, they will appear no matter what.  

 

All in all, I guess I enjoyed playing this mod, but I won't be installing it in my next playthroughs.
 


Edited by Sergio, 29 July 2019 - 03:19 AM.

Low hung brow, dazed look on your face..... It appears that you are correct, my friend. You are indeed a complete imbecile.


#37 Sergio

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Posted 10 July 2019 - 08:25 AM

Back to Brynnlaw [BG2] --> Worth a try.

Story: You come back to Brynlaw to actually help someone who was tortured by Irenicus (and drained) exactly as you. The mod provides also with an evil path for the main quest.

I enjoyed the mod, but I won't be installing it again. There are a few things about the story that made me raise an eyebrow:

Spoiler


 


Edited by Sergio, 28 July 2019 - 08:56 AM.

Low hung brow, dazed look on your face..... It appears that you are correct, my friend. You are indeed a complete imbecile.


#38 Sergio

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Posted 10 July 2019 - 08:27 AM

Sellswords [BG2] --->  Worth a try.


I’ve played the mod sellswords.  I enjoyed it and it could be confused for vanilla content.
It’s a little adventure and the dialogues made me smile.

It has, for me, a few limits:

>  The mod is full of little quests a bit too too lenient on giving xp

> Your questgiver can probe your mind and see if you lie or whatever. He tells you he can’t probe the matron mother mind because she is “shielded”. You are said it is probably due to an item she has, but I did not find such item and I don’t know if it  even exist or is only hinted at.

> Even if you are in a drow city, working with drows, the mod gives you no “evil” options for the main quest. You are working actively against a certain strong house inside the drow city, constantly taunted by the guy that gives you the quests, without being able to betray him to the matron mother.

All in all, I liked it, but I won't be installing it in my next playthroughs.

Another note: the matron, every time I used arrows, seemed to be able to reflect their damage unto me. 


Now that I think about it there is another thing...

Spoiler


Spoiler


Edited by Sergio, 28 July 2019 - 08:57 AM.

Low hung brow, dazed look on your face..... It appears that you are correct, my friend. You are indeed a complete imbecile.


#39 Sergio

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Posted 10 July 2019 - 10:11 AM

Dungeon Crawl [BG2]--> ok mod, I guess.I doubt I will be reinstalling it in my next playthroughs.

 

So I’ve played Dungeon Crawl. It has a few creative ideas (final boss and dialogue with lich and beholder).  But I fear that the mod is mostly for the people that played Dungeon Crawl.
There is not much to say, really, especially because the mod is little in content. Suffice to say that I would have liked more dialogues (or a quest?) with quagis and a chance to actually talk with the lich about the product he is selling me, after I drank it.

Anyway, a little walkthrough:

1) if you go the good route, you can stop the good guys from opening the chest and get your 5k money. You will also discover the content of the chest. 
2) If you go the bad route, you will discover the content of the chest and you can also kill the “evil” party.

Spoiler


Edited by Sergio, 12 September 2019 - 12:36 AM.

Low hung brow, dazed look on your face..... It appears that you are correct, my friend. You are indeed a complete imbecile.


#40 ALIEN

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Posted 11 July 2019 - 01:20 AM

@Sergio This topic is wonderful! I will definitely refer to it for my next playground. :cheers:


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