12-24-2024, 02:14 PM
Although I didn't use all of the mods available in this series, I played the ones that suited my current gameplay. I very much appreciate and willingly install mods that add new tasks and locations to those already existing in the game. Thanks to this, I have a slightly different gameplay experience each time, surprising me with new things from time to time. Each of the new locations and the quests they contained were worth devoting time to them. At no stage did I feel that I was wasting my time finishing those mods. I really like the way the creator's mind works - kudos to you Lava. How you integrate your new ideas into the world of Faerûn speaks for itself. I never had the feeling that something I was playing was detached from reality. As with other story modifications from Lava, we can expect that the things we do in them will leave their mark on the Lands of Intrigue. Some of the elements we encounter in the base game will continue or be reflected in what happens in Throne of Bhaal. It is worth reading the dialogues carefully, going through the journal entries, and looking into every nook and cranny. Who knows what we will find in a village cut off from the world, left in ruins, or with whom we will make long lasting friendship?
As previously, below, I will rate each element in terms of the availability of quests, the complexity of each mission, level of intrigue and integrity with the entire game and the world itself.
Tales of the Deep Gardens - How many times have you been warned not to interact with foreign magicians? Well, how many times? You will quickly see how much truth there is in these warnings. Gardens are an adventure full of colors, hope, and strong emotions that affect beings who are not used to feeling them. Whether you simply want to get out of a mysterious place or maybe try to establish deeper relationships with its inhabitants is up to you. Remember, however, that colors are the essence of existence, they allow us to perceive and recognize everything around us. Here? Here they have a lot of new, previously unknown properties. ~ Rating 9/10 (I was sad that I had to break someone's heart)
Innershade - Forests, thickets and wastelands hide many secrets. Among them there are places long abandoned or forgotten by the main centers of civilization. Innershade was no different. When we get there, everything indicates that the village has very little contact with the outside world, which is why no one knows about the problems its inhabitants face. In this modification, we will have to face the everyday problems of the villagers, and also prevent further catastrophic effects of the curse that has fallen on this place. Whatever and however you plan to do here - definitely visit Barbara. You won't regret it.
~ Rating 9.3/10 (sadly, I did not bring a bard with me)
The White Queen - Another of the intrigues offered by this series of modifications. We visit a deserted, swampy village that has experienced a lot of evil. We will meet only one resident there who will tell us the history of this place. Listen to him carefully, because any information will be worth its weight in gold in this hostile place. We will have to face powerful mages and find out what the loss of a chlid can drive some people to do. The modification offers interesting encounters, as well as new magical items, which, especially at the beginning of BG2, can be useful to achieve a minimal advantage over the more serious challenges presented in the game. ~ Rating 8.8/10 (could use more content with the hag, 'cause her story seems to be unfinished)
I Shall Never Forget - The main theme of this modification is mourning and the inability to come to terms with the loss of a loved one. To such an extent that we start looking for unconventional ways that could give us back the lost moments and extend the time we could spend together. Everything will start in a new location opened in the Government District. From there, the entire modification will take us through a series of unfortunate events. From one task to another, we will try to support our questgiver. The end of the mission may not be obvious, and leave a bittersweet aftertaste. For me, the whole thing gave a very strong vibe of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. ~ Rating 8.2/10 (a lot of back and forth with fetch quests)
Foundling: Between the Shades and Yvette Romance - these two were not on my list this time. I will try to play with them in one of my next playthroughs. Foundling seems to be a nice companion with a interesting story, and background. When it comes to Yvette - I rarely play a PC who's romancing a female companion (with a few exeptions), so she might have to sit on the bench with me, and my playstyle. ^^'
As previously, below, I will rate each element in terms of the availability of quests, the complexity of each mission, level of intrigue and integrity with the entire game and the world itself.
Tales of the Deep Gardens - How many times have you been warned not to interact with foreign magicians? Well, how many times? You will quickly see how much truth there is in these warnings. Gardens are an adventure full of colors, hope, and strong emotions that affect beings who are not used to feeling them. Whether you simply want to get out of a mysterious place or maybe try to establish deeper relationships with its inhabitants is up to you. Remember, however, that colors are the essence of existence, they allow us to perceive and recognize everything around us. Here? Here they have a lot of new, previously unknown properties. ~ Rating 9/10 (I was sad that I had to break someone's heart)
Innershade - Forests, thickets and wastelands hide many secrets. Among them there are places long abandoned or forgotten by the main centers of civilization. Innershade was no different. When we get there, everything indicates that the village has very little contact with the outside world, which is why no one knows about the problems its inhabitants face. In this modification, we will have to face the everyday problems of the villagers, and also prevent further catastrophic effects of the curse that has fallen on this place. Whatever and however you plan to do here - definitely visit Barbara. You won't regret it.
~ Rating 9.3/10 (sadly, I did not bring a bard with me)The White Queen - Another of the intrigues offered by this series of modifications. We visit a deserted, swampy village that has experienced a lot of evil. We will meet only one resident there who will tell us the history of this place. Listen to him carefully, because any information will be worth its weight in gold in this hostile place. We will have to face powerful mages and find out what the loss of a chlid can drive some people to do. The modification offers interesting encounters, as well as new magical items, which, especially at the beginning of BG2, can be useful to achieve a minimal advantage over the more serious challenges presented in the game. ~ Rating 8.8/10 (could use more content with the hag, 'cause her story seems to be unfinished)
I Shall Never Forget - The main theme of this modification is mourning and the inability to come to terms with the loss of a loved one. To such an extent that we start looking for unconventional ways that could give us back the lost moments and extend the time we could spend together. Everything will start in a new location opened in the Government District. From there, the entire modification will take us through a series of unfortunate events. From one task to another, we will try to support our questgiver. The end of the mission may not be obvious, and leave a bittersweet aftertaste. For me, the whole thing gave a very strong vibe of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. ~ Rating 8.2/10 (a lot of back and forth with fetch quests)
Foundling: Between the Shades and Yvette Romance - these two were not on my list this time. I will try to play with them in one of my next playthroughs. Foundling seems to be a nice companion with a interesting story, and background. When it comes to Yvette - I rarely play a PC who's romancing a female companion (with a few exeptions), so she might have to sit on the bench with me, and my playstyle. ^^'
