Baldur's Gate II rolls onto iPad: classic role playing game reborn

By Peter Cohen
last updated

It's the news that D&D and role playing game fans have waited months to hear: Baldur's Gate II Enhanced Edition is now available for download from the App Store. Following the Mac and PC versions' release, the iPad version has passed muster with Apple and is ready to be played.

Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition is a modern version of Bioware's nearly legendary fantasy role playing game that originally saw the light of day in 2000. The game follows the exploits of Gorion's Ward, the protagonist of the first game, as he (or she) and their party of skilled adventurers makes their way across the Forgotten Realms as they battle the wizard Irenicus.

The Enhanced Edition incorporates both the original Baldur's Gate II, subtitled Shadows of Amn and a later-released expansion pack called Throne of Bhaal. Four new party members have been added, and a high-level combat scenario called The Black Pits 2: Gladiators of Thay has also been included. Multiplayer gaming is supported, as well.

Baldur's Gate II for iPad seemed lost in limbo for a while - it was submitted for Apple's approval weeks ago. Trent Oster, the game's creative director, has been on tenterhooks awaiting the game's release, which he finally confirmed yesterday via Twitter.

In-app purchases are available which unlock additional characters and artwork, but they're not required to finish the game.

4 Comments
  • Damn, there goes what was left of my already short nights <sigh>
  • Started playing last night after a very lengthy download. ;) I've seen several posts on message boards asking how to import your BG:EE character into BG2:EE. Most of the answers are referring to importing the *desktop* version character, and involve installing something that allows you to browse the iPad file system. If you're importing from the iOS version of BG:EE, none of that is necessary! It's very easy: Launch BG:EE on the iPad.
    Load your most recent save.
    Highlight your character, then click the human head icon on the left to see your character stats.
    From there you can export your character. Give the export a unique name.
    Once you've clicked export (or done…don't remember exactly), the standard iOS share menu will open up. (The one that has things like Email, Airdrop, etc.) One of the options will be "Open in Baldur's Gate II". Select that.
    BG2:EE will launch. Go to the section where you create a new character and select "Import". You should see the file that you just exported.
    Profit!
  • Great review ! Sent from the iMore App
  • Added to my Wishlist along with the first one. Haven't had the chance to play any of the Baldurs games but this seems pretty solid. Thanks for the heads up!