Blog FeedThe Mod-Squad: Baldur’s Gate 2
Normally when we talk about mods we’re talking about expansion to multiplayer content. Well this year I came across the Pocket Plane Group, and discovered that Baldur’s Gate 2 is one of the most modded games in the world. Since I’ve been talking about these I’ve often been asked what the best are, so I thought I’d put together a good long look on the topic. If you like any of the mod ideas here or just want to browse what’s out there, take a gander at this definitive list courtesy of Pocket Plane Group.
Lovers
One of the more interesting parts of Baldur’s Gate 2’s story is the romances that the game ships with. Ordinarily you can have affairs with Viconia, Jaheira, Aerie and Anomen. Some of the most entertaining mods I’ve come across are additions to the romantic parts of the game. The “Flirt pack” adds player-character (PC henceforth) initiated flirts where you can choose to give your lover a hug, kiss, grope, whatever you feel is appropriate for this stage of your relationship. Kiss someone you’re just starting to flirt with and don’t be surprised if the results aren’t pleasant.
Kelsey
Perhaps the worst part of the game’s initial four romance story-line is Anomen. The man is intolerable, it can be annoying enough to try role-playing a woman character just because I’m a guy . It’s a bit harder to get into character, but to have to put up with his incessant arrogance and obnoxious behavior is just too much. Frankly he’s not even that useful of a character to keep around. Enter Kelsey, a mod by J. Compton which is sharply written and presents a likable character. Kelsey starts out full of self-doubt about his powers as a sorcerer but throughout the course of his relationship with you he starts to change. The guy at the end of the romance is even more affable than the character at the beginning. Also his fights with Anomen as romantic tension builds in the group are flat hilarious. He pokes Anomen for being an obnoxious narcissist and Anomen calls him a coward and shopkeeper.
Saerileth
Saerileth is the perfect answer to the whininess of Aerie, the “good girl” you’re supposed to romance in the original game. She’s sweet, good, and loving. She’s a fifteen year old extra-planar human with a ton of voice-over work. A lot of people seem to get hung up on the fact she’s fifteen. I hope you don’t because this is a really feel-good mod, at least if you play a good aligned character. She’s sweet, lovable and highly loving. There is very little sexuality in this mod unlike some other romance mods but it’s just a wonderful character that I love to play the game with now.
There are so many good romance NPCs; if these aren’t your thing it’s very likely you’ll be very happy with another. Fade, a Tiefling thief, and Tashia (an Elven sorcerer) are also quite good as is the incomplete Imoen romance. The only two bad ones I’ve seen were the Nalia Romance which just didn’t seem to nail Nalia’s personality, the Solaufien romance which had some major annoying issues, and Kittanya which had an audio bug so bad it made the whole thing unplayable - plus she comes with crazy over powered equipment.
Friends
Because not everyone wants to sleep with you.
Yasarena is a Drow Exile and of all things she’s a good aligned Drow. She banters with just about everybody and she has some suitably Drow interjections. She’s stunned when Nalia mentions the notion of a male heir and she assumes when you speak of Gorion as gone that your mother had him killed. That said she is definitely a good companion. Keto is also an excellent companion; a bard by the author of the Kelsey mod, she’ll banter with the original character and the Bioware ones and she’s got quite the story to tell herself. And if you’re up for something evil you can get Bodhi’s messenger pigeon Valen to join you. Be prepared though, if you take her you need to go evil all the way.
Quests
Unfinished business and the Quest pack really are the best as they integrate the content into the regular flow of the game rather than just adding a whole bunch of somewhat extraneous stuff. Some of the best of these quests include the kidnapping of Boo, and extensive additions to the Thieves guild part of the game. It’s a fair comment that this game has so much to do that you might not need anything added to the game, but it’s a whole load of fun to play.
Despite approaching 6 years now, Baldur’s Gate 2 has been showing me awesome new stuff all this year. The modding community is one of the most active I’ve ever seen at bringing more things to the game that totally fits in with the world. If you need something to play, adding any of these alone or in combination (as BG2 mods stack together nicely) will really help you get the most out of an old classic.