Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition Announced

[Bateluer]

http://www.icewinddale.com/

**Update**

Its out now. 20 USD.

From Steam
http://store.steampowered.com/app/321800/


From GOG
http://www.gog.com/game/icewind_dale_enhanced_edition

In the northernmost reaches of the Forgotten Realms lies the region of icy tundra known as Icewind Dale. Journey deep into the Spine of the World mountains, a harsh and unforgiving territory settled by only the hardiest folk. Beneath the carven glaciers and mountainsides, you must confront an evil that schemes to wreak destruction upon the face of Faerûn. This is the world of Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition.

Originally released in 2000, Icewind Dale is a Dungeons & Dragons game set in Wizards of The Coast's legendary Forgotten Realms. This Enhanced Edition allows players to experience the epic adventure on PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Android tablets and phones, and includes a host of new features:

Swords and Sorcery: Discover dozens of new spells and items, including new magic armor and weapons.
Blackguards and Wizard Slayers: Select from over 30 new kits and classes to create the perfect adventuring party.
Bring A Friend: Join your fellow adventurers in cooperative, cross-platform multiplayer games.
See The Unseen: Explore quest content cut from the original game, now finished and restored.
More to Experience: Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition includes both the Heart of Winter and Trials of the Luremaster expansion packs.

Odds are, I'll buy it, but its Planescape Torment: Enhanced Edition that I really, really want.

 

[Worthington]

Do I get it for free if I still have my original Icewind Dale disks?

 

[Fenixgoon]

PST:EE would be AMAZING. IWD was fun, but since the party members were all player characters, i didn't pay attention to the dialogue/story nearly as much.

 

[shortylickens]

 

[motsm]

I like the idea of these enhanced editions, but I am fine with the experience I get installing a couple mods on my big box copies. Wouldn't mind trying one out if I saw it on a great sale though.

Did they ever replace the EAX and 3D sound features of the Infinity Engine with a software equivalent? I remember reading that this was missing from BG:EE. They could do a lot more with it as well with a tiny bit of effort tagging environments, since the originals pretty much just added reverb in dungeons and caves.

 

[Kalmah]

I was under the impression that BG2 enhanced turned out to be a buggy mess and that the additional characters and features were completely uninspired with horrible voice acting. Maybe I heard wrong though.

 

[motsm]

I was under the impression that BG2 enhanced turned out to be a buggy mess and that the additional characters and features were completely uninspired with horrible voice acting. Maybe I heard wrong though.

I heard the same thing about both BG releases to be honest, but I think they got a lot of support as well, so they could be fixed up by now as far as bugs are concerned.

 

[Anteaus]

I thought both BG EEs were well done, though I didn't play them until some patches had been released.. I agree about the uninspired additions though...fortunately you can skip that stuff if you know the game well.

In spite of any possible problems, I think the EE versions are far superior to the originals when playing on present day systems. That may be a problematic statement for some of the BG purists out there. I own both the original 5 disc versions of BG as well as the GOG release. They are playable, but I got tired of annoying graphic problems and dealing with buggy mods. After playing through the enhanced editions of both BG and BG2, I can't imagine myself going back to the originals.

As for Icewind Dale, I'm very excited about it. I've always preferred Icewind Dale to Baldur's Gate and it will be nice to play it with the engine enhancements.

 

[JamesV]

In spite of any possible problems, I think the EE versions are far superior to the originals when playing on present day systems.

Agreed.

I bought and played all of these when they were released (and many times over the years), and enjoyed playing the new versions even more. I see posts all the time about broken quests and problems, of which I've seen zero; the ranged weapon ammo stacking from the EE versions is reason enough to buy it imo (can have 80 ammo per slot, instead of 20).

On a side note; I usually play by myself multiplayer - all custom characters done through these games multiplayer interface. The EE versions add a total field to the reroll; no more adding up points to see if you got a good roll. Such a simple addition that makes a big positive difference, of which I'd argue the EE versions do in spades.

 

[Borealis7]

i would've liked an IWD2 remake more. i remember it being much more fun with 3rd edition D&D rules and IIRC it was much more epic with bigger quests.
IWD1 resonates in my mind as a survival game where i struggled to get any inch of advantage or i just couldn't make it.

 

[StinkyPinky]

I'll buy it but I agree a PST:EE would have been far more preferable.

 

[StinkyPinky]

I was under the impression that BG2 enhanced turned out to be a buggy mess and that the additional characters and features were completely uninspired with horrible voice acting. Maybe I heard wrong though.

Maybe at release but BG2:EE has now surpassed any modded version. It's the best way to play now.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Can someone explain to me why there is so much interest in these enhanced editions?

I loved BG and spent hours and hours on it, playing both evil and good, doing all possible romances, etc.

This enhanced edition is the same story. Nothing new story-wise, right?

Just some new characters, better graphics, and some different gameplay mechanics. But it's still the same story... the same things are going to happen that happened when BG first came out.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Can someone explain to me why there is so much interest in these enhanced editions?

I loved BG and spent hours and hours on it, playing both evil and good, doing all possible romances, etc.

This enhanced edition is the same story. Nothing new story-wise, right?

Just some new characters, better graphics, and some different gameplay mechanics. But it's still the same story... the same things are going to happen that happened when BG first came out.

It's more the ability to have it on your steam library and just have it run (at high resolutions) without needing to install 10 mods and patches. There were also some new companions with new quests...with varying success.

 

[Borealis7]

and win7/8 support where originally some of these games just wouldn't work.

 

[Anteaus]

i would've liked an IWD2 remake more. i remember it being much more fun with 3rd edition D&D rules and IIRC it was much more epic with bigger quests.
IWD1 resonates in my mind as a survival game where i struggled to get any inch of advantage or i just couldn't make it.

I'd be willing to bet that we will see IWD2 EE as well as PT EE in the coming years. As long as the gamers support future products they will keep acquiring the rights.

This thread is making me want to play through BG again.

 

[shortylickens]

I'd be willing to bet that we will see IWD2 EE as well as PT EE in the coming years. As long as the gamers support future products they will keep acquiring the rights.

This thread is making me want to play through BG again.

Enhanced Edition on steam just got a patch. Scrolls you can write to your book have a different tint.

And some other new features.

http://steamcommunity.com/app/228280/discussions/0/35222218770448873/

 

[Mem]

I wish they would do a new complete version with new story ie Icewind Dale 3,most of the enhanced versions you can do yourself via the mods online,their forums have all the patches,mods etc to do that.


Same goes for Planescape Torment,sure it was a great game but rather see a new PT2 version,these sort of enhance versions remind me of rehashes of great films like Godzilla,Spiderman etc,you know the old saying "how many times can you shave a wookie " .


I won't be buying it because I already have Icewind Dales series and BG modded out max for free!....That includes widescreen mod patch etc...


Example here of Icewind Dale mods via Gibberlings forum http://forums.gibberlings3.net/index.php?showtopic=24870 .
Only example of modern RPG game I can think of is Divinity Sin,now I wish developers would do the same to a new BG or Planescape game,turn or no turn based I don't mind.

Give us new storyline ,new characters etc not rehashes of old stuff which is virtually the same old version.
I just feel by doing Icewind Dale Enhanced version they are not really offering anything new and asking you to pay for it,it's really a real shame if I'm being honest.


Lets hope more developers go more towards something new like Divinity Sin with new games rather then rehash of old stuff and ask you to pay for it yet again .

 

[Borealis7]

Mem, you cry has been heard already. they're called "Pillars of Eternity" and "Torment: Tides of Numenera".

 

[Bateluer]

Mem, you cry has been heard already. they're called "Pillars of Eternity" and "Torment: Tides of Numenera".

Also, Divinity Original Sin.

 

[Red Storm]

Woot! Keep that EE train rolling.

 

[Mem]

Also, Divinity Original Sin.

I did say Sin in my last post ,

Lets hope more developers go more towards something new like Divinity Sin with new games rather then rehash of old stuff and ask you to pay for it yet again

Btw on my second play through on Sin.

 

[Mem]

Woot! Keep that EE train rolling.

Don't worry if they can get you to pay for it they will keep the EE train rolling,slap EE on an old game and slap on WS support with minor tweaks and it's now EE ,wait a sec you can do that yourself for free but then I already stated that.

 

[Red Storm]

Don't worry if they can get you to pay for it they will keep the EE train rolling,slap EE on an old game and slap on WS support with minor tweaks and it's now EE ,wait a sec you can do that yourself for free but then I already stated that.

Don't really see why you care, as you said you feel you already have the games and you don't mind chasing down mods and fixpacks. That's awesome for you, but I don't want to do that.

 

[Craig234]

Can someone explain to me why there is so much interest in these enhanced editions?

I loved BG and spent hours and hours on it, playing both evil and good, doing all possible romances, etc.

This enhanced edition is the same story. Nothing new story-wise, right?

Just some new characters, better graphics, and some different gameplay mechanics. But it's still the same story... the same things are going to happen that happened when BG first came out.

Same reason people buy a Blu-ray of a favorite old movie.