Update: if you have zoom turned on for the iPad Pro, the game does not scale. Would really like to be able to turn this back on.
1. I really, really want to love this game. However, the game is not scaling on my iPad Pro 12.9. Trying to build a character to play initially is so painful, because I cannot read the text without holding the screen near my nose. Happy to change the review if there is some way to correct this issue. (Note: I did try changing all of the settings for display without any change.)
2. I purchased the in app purchases while on my iPhone. Those do not appear to have come through on my iPad. Further there is not an option to restore purchases.
I’ve now purchased this game three times! First, upon the original PC release, the updated PC release, and iOS. I really feel like there is so much more opportunity to port old RPG games to iOS... (Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss, anyone?) I’m playing this now on the iPhone XS Max. I am LOVING it, but a few interface tweaks could really improve it. Obviously it is not optimized for iPhone X and above, so there is some wasted horizontal screen space. Also, though I know the game was designed for tablets, it is fantastic to bring it around in my pocket, and really the challenge on iPhone for me is just discerning some of the icons, specifically spell icons. Also if the game was programmed to fade the iPhone’s home bar that would be nice - I think there’s some precious vertical space lost there. Anyway, thanks to the developers for realizing the continued value in these classic older games! My opinion is that a pinch of iPhone optimization might get you a whole new batch of players.
Developer Response
Thanks for the feedback!Do not buy this game. I bought it last night and I’m still in the tutorial...
They’re trying to show me how to pickpocket, which requires the character go into stealth mode and tap on the target, “Belt” (a person). I go into stealth mode, tap on Belt, but guess what? “Belt: has nothing to say to you.”
Okay. Tap him again and, oops! Out of stealth mode. Let me just—“Imoen: You haven’t got the gem. What’s taking so long?” She chimes in every ten seconds. Every. Ten. Seconds. So I go stealth, tap on Belt, Belt has nothing to say to me. I go back into stealth, tap on Belt, he’s still reticent, and then there’s Imoen asking me what’s taking so long.
I’m sure I’m doing something wrong, but what? I’ve done tapped, double tapped, long tap, tippy-tippy-tap-tap, and Belt’s still just looking at me like, “😶.” Until they make tutorial for this tutorial, I’m back to Minecraft.
This is a deep and complex old school RPG with a steep learning curve. I strongly suggest you find the manual to this game and study it first. Although it takes some work, the payoff is enjoying one of the greatest classic RPG series ever made. The series will give you back dozens and dozens of hours of enjoyment if you put in a little time at the front end. There is a long story line with much reading involved, many companions to get to know and adventure with, and complex combat with endless ways to play. Take your time and enjoy it the old school way and you wont be disappointed.
I have never reviewed a purchase before, but decided I had to for this one. After reading other reviews I almost didn’t buy this game, but I am so glad I did. I played this game on PC back when it came out, and am very impressed with the game play on the app. I am playing on the IPhone 7 Plus, and it is awesome! If you are already familiar with the game, and are thinking about playing on your phone, I would recommend it. I have been able to get further than I ever did on the PC.
Using an iPad Pro 12.9 - I have it in zoomed view mode because in standard mode the icons are too far apart on the home screen and text is tiny. Please fix Baldur’s Gate so it doesn’t require that, or refund me and remove the purchase.
EDIT: Yes, those options do not do anything to the issue. The app still displays as a small box in the center of the IPad Pro’s screen.
EDIT2: the developers have acknowledged that their only "fix" is to turn off zoomed view mode, which makes icons on the home screen look and be spaced terribly. Not an acceptable solution considering these apps are the only ones I've seen that have any issue. Not acceptable.
This is as much a review as a love letter to Beamdog. Thanks for porting those games. I’ve rolled five characters and played through these games repeatedly. I’ve racked up countless hours in gameplay and many times that much in thinking about ways to explore the game mechanics.
I’m sad to see so many bad reviews because it’s “too small for the phone”. I’ve played it on my iPad but honestly prefer playing it on my phone for some reason. I’m glad Beamdog didn’t restrict it to only iPads for fear of getting the occasional bad review from people with sausage fingers. I rarely hit the wrong buttons and don’t know why so many people seem to have a problem with that...
Beamdog did a great job correcting issues I had with this port in the past (e.g. collapsing side bars, save importing, etc). My only hope now is that they find a way to port some of the Neverwinter Nights titles someday. Trent said it would be a challenge and presume that means even more than the formidable challenges they faced in getting BG titles out the door, so I’m not holding my breath. Thanks for the memories either way.
Developer Response
Thanks a lot for your review!So there’s some bugs (still) but that doesn’t bother me. This really is a game for people that broke their swords on the original.
I’m just happy to have it, pick up whenever I want. I know the game might be cumbersome for newer players. The documentation and help could be better. I guess it’s a steep learning curve if you’re used to recent FPS.
This is an original RPG. If you know DND it might take a little while to work with the interface. But the rules are the same, the combat is the same, the spells, the quests, and the great NPCs.
Anyway, I hope the negative reviewers give it a little more time. It really is an awesome game. I like to play it through every few years with a totally different character to get different results.
Also the transition from mouse point and click to touch is astounding. Good job team :)
The experience is probably great on iPad, but the app shouldn’t have even been offered on iPhone. Tapping squares with millimeter precision is just a horrible experience (those of you with phone screens smaller than the iPhone X will fare even worse). Parts of the UI for character sheet creation would appear after the game begins making a large portion of the game surface invisible. The app would also crash when clicking the Continue button loading a saved game.
Unless you have an iPad, do yourself a favor and play this on PC.
This is an epic series at an epic price. I’ve spent several weeks playing through 1 & 2 and Planescape:Torment is awesome too - arguably even better than this - but this is pretty good!
It IS a late 1990’s port, so don’t expect the latest and greatest, but this has a rich story line and awesome gameplay. I didn’t buy the add ons and wish that I did... Not sure what it would be like to go back and play them now.
Vanilaredd
Van Vorst
Twapedo
Epiphanyx99
KristenNicoleW
HarborFan
Frank29460
hominid
Furui
Tom Steele
