Baldur's Gate is a near-perfect adaptation of the classic tabletop, role-playing game Dungeons & DragonsSix separate races and eight core character classes, from which the player can create a completely original character, are availableThe game world is well painted, and players are free to explore this wonderfully textured game environment in any way they see fit, all against the backdrop of a thoughtfully conceived and versatile plot.

You begin the game as a young orphan living with your stepfather within the safe confines of a scholarly communityIt is a happy and idyllic life until your stepfather is killed and it becomes clear that you are intended to be nextYou, as the young protagonist, then set out to discover just what kind of a mess you're inDuring the adventure, you recruit a number of personable allies, battle foes, delve into dungeons, trek across wilderness, solve puzzles, and complete a plethora of epic quests that are seamlessly sown into the fabric of the overall plotThe story line unfolds in response to your choices to reveal your character's true identity as well as the nature and motive of your enemies.

If the Lord himself were to ask me what games he should have in his home game collection, the first two words out of my mouth would be Baldur's GateThis 1998 Role-Playing Game of the Year is a masterpiece and the standard by which all such games will be judged for the foreseeable futureGroundbreaking 32-bit graphics, 3-D sound, multiplayer options, and a friendly real-time game engine are blended with a depth of plot in a way that redefines the genre--Joshua BCoombs

Pros:

• Versatile and responsive plot
• Entertaining character interaction
• Huge game world
• Friendly game engine

• Nonplayer characters exhibit little free will

Chaos threatens to overwhelm the Sword CoastThe state of Amn is under siege to the south, the High Moor is being overrun in the north, and the region around Baldur's Gate is in turmoilThough this area is known for its ample resources, a crippling shortage of iron--used throughout the Realms for everything from swords to forks--is slowly developingOnce the iron ore reaching the region is smelted, it becomes brittle, cracking and breaking with little more than normal use.

What's worse, trading caravans coming from all directions into Baldur's Gate are under constant attack from bandits and cutthroats who loot not for gold and gems (although they often take those, too), but for ironThe armed factions in Baldur's Gate can scarcely keep themselves equipped, and the commoners are suffering as wellWithout iron, they cannot mend their tools or purchase plows, which means they cannot farm or make craftsWhen winter arrives, they will surely starve.

Some blame Amn for the chaos, others the trading cartels, and still others suspect the Dukes of Baldur's GateYet, this contagion may be an early omen of some greater evil....

The player begins the game with one characterThis character can be generated using any of the races, classes, and alignments allowed by Advanced Dungeons and DragonsUp to five other adventurers may join the central character as the epic quest to save the world continues.

Do you have balls of steel? If so, you might be exactly what Deep Silver and Apogee are looking forThe publisher is looking for a real-life Duke Nukem to help promote the upcoming Duke Nukem Trilogy across North AmericaThe roaming talent contest will hit three major cities in the country and the overall best Duke will apparently be crowned at the upcoming E3 convention in LA this June