Icewind Dale Ultimate Collection Description:

Icewind Dale Ultimate Collection review:
5 stars (Icewind Dale RPG) - This game is great for those that enjoy role playing games. There is a lot of reading involved but it adds to the story.

It was a lot of fun
5 stars (This game is awesome in gameplay.) - Pros:

1. Character creation is fun, detailed and basically unmatched by any game on the market, much better than the NWN creation system.

2. Graphic is beautiful, but if you are expecting fully 3D environment, you will be disappointed.

3. Music is just awesome.

4. Did I mention Character Creation is FUN! Playing your custom made party is a very satisfying experience. Any kind of team is playable, You can solo the game too if you like.



Cons:

1. Does not feature 3D environment like NWN

2. Gameplay is linear, but I didn't care as the point of my game is to develope my character.
5 stars (By comparison..) -
I have played all the rpgs, Baldur's Gate, NWN, Dungeon Siege, Final Fantasy, TOEE, etc.



And I have to say, that stumbling upon Icewind Dale 2 was a real treat..



Sure the graphics are dated, but WOW..the storyline, the dialogue, the descriptions of the rooms and actions are all incredibly well written (A breath of fresh air, after playing DS). The quests don't get in the way of the game, like so many others that get bogged down in annoying side-quests as a lame attempt to flesh out the world. I would have prefered the game to be turn based like TOEE, but this game's battles are numerous and really fun; partially to good monster design..compare bugbears in this game to NWN..so much better, and partially to the unforgettable situations and dungeons.



When pitted against other D&D ruleset games, the spell choices offered and levels they are given at is superior to all others. I actually enjoyed having a Druid in my party, who could transform his arms into pythons, and for the first time in CRPG history actually used summon animals spells. Even if many spells were simular to other games, these felt more tailored to the characters and made useful, instead of waiting till higher levels to get one useful spell.



My favorite part is that I could handpick my team, where as in Baldur's Gate I was forced to play with characters I didn't like, or NWN where it was removed and tedious to interact with henchmen.

I enjoyed RPing the characters backgrounds, and interactions in my head, and really enjoyed finding the treasure, unique to IWD2, like a wide variety of cut gems. (which became an addiction)



If you updated this game graphically to the level of TOEE, and made it Turn Based with battle tactics, It would be my all time favorite RPG.