Attention old-school RPG fans: this is not fake news. Skybound Games (most known for their involvement in Slime Rancher) and Beamdog announced today that enhanced editions of several classic Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing video games including Baldur’s Gate, the Baldur’s Gate: Siege of the Dragonspear expansion, Baldur’s Gate II, Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights – will be released on consoles this fall. Nintendo Switch fans are already thirsting to experience these retro gems as a handheld experience, which we believe will be perfect for these games.
Physical editions of Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition will arrive at major retailers on Dec. 3, 2019 in North America and Dec. 6 in other territories, while the other titles will arrive earlier, on Sept. 24, 2019 in North America and Sept. 27 in other territories. The titles will cost $49.99 each, and the special boxed editions include the following:
● The Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition Pack: Here at Doctors of Gaming, this one makes us the most excited. We have mentioned in the past that BioWare (and hence Baldur’s Gate) was created by doctors and acts as an inspirational story to much of our community. The enhanced edition celebrates the series’ 20thanniversary, the original Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition and its sequel, Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition, return with all DLC and restored quest content, as well as the Baldur’s Gate: Siege of Dragonspear expansion, which includes new original content developed by Beamdog to act as a segue between the two games. Beamdog may already be familiar to the reviewer; they were behind the revival of the series on desktop and tablets.
● Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition / Icewind Dale Enhanced Edition: As must-plays for any RPG fan, the eerie Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition, plus its expansions, and the enhanced edition of 1999’s RPG of the Year, Planescape: Torment will also be available. All DLC will be included.
● Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition: Named the 2002 Computer RPG of the Year, Neverwinter is another must-have for RPG enthusiasts. The enhanced edition will contain all of its DLC and delivers 10 standalone D&D-based adventures that includes co-op and online multiplayer. Daniel Tack of Forbes wrote: “Neverwinter offers experiences for players that normally wouldn’t play MMORPGs, and also provides a framework for core genre players. Looking for action and adventure in the world of Forgotten Realms? Neverwinter delivers.”
Whether you have never played these games or if you’re an old-school RPG aficionado, the soon-to-be-released enhanced editions will offer a fun, new experience. Beamdog has upgraded all of the titles with native support for high-resolution widescreen displays, controls optimized for console controllers, new standalone content, new characters and classes, new voice sets, expanded character creation options, improved multiplayer functionality, redesigns of the UI and UX, bug fixes, balance changes and more.
“It’s such a pleasure to celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of the most legendary RPGs of all time, the original Baldur’s Gate, as well as the iconic games it inspired, by bringing these special enhanced editions to a new generation of players and platforms,” said Skybound Games CEO Ian Howe.
“It’s been nearly two decades since Baldur’s Gate was born from a D&D campaign between me and the game’s co-creators,” said Trent Oster, Beamdog CEO. “The longevity of this series and the games that followed has been both humbling and rewarding. Our team is thrilled to continue that tradition by finally making this wealth of amazing storytelling and gameplay available to everyone on modern consoles.”
Each game will also be available to purchase for digital download individually upon release through the PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store and Nintendo eShop.
