Icewind Dale 2: Enhanced Edition is Here; Adds New Party Members and Improved Interface
The official Icewind Dale 2: Enhanced Edition never materialized, so fans rolled up their sleeves and independently developed a refreshed version of this RPG classic.
Classic RPG games powered by the Infinity Engine, such as Baldur's Gate 1-2, Icewind Dale or Planescape: Torment, lived to see upgraded editions in the form of so-called Enhanced Editions. Gamers had hoped that a similar facelift would be given to Icewind Dale II, but it turned out impossible due to the disappearance of the game's source code. Fans affiliated under the banner of The Red Chimera Group decided that this was no obstacle, and decided to improve this classic on their own.
The result of their work is a modification titled, how else, Icewind Dale 2: Enhanced Edition. The list of changes and improvements is substantial.
- Support for ultrawide screen resolutions has been added.
- Loading times have been reduced.
- The mod improves performance and makes screen scrolling smoother.
- The project improves the controls. For example, it became possible to scroll using the middle mouse button, and right-clicking on a spell or ability in the action bar displays their descriptions. An option to quickly collect loot after combat has also been added.
- A short delay every time you select a dialogue option has been removed.
- The mod improves gameplay - more than 300 spells and 1,000 items have been reworked to make them more interesting. Devs added more than 90 spells, almost 200 items, more than 30 feats and several NPCs to join the party.
- Many skirmishes have been improved, such as giving enemies additional abilities.
- Some missions have been improved - backtracking has been reduced, and some tasks have received alternative methods of completion.
- The modification also fixes most of the game's bugs.
Importantly, the gameplay changes and added novelties are optional. During installation, the player himself can choose which elements of the mod to install and which to omit.
Unfortunately, the lack of source code limits the authors in some aspects. For example, without it, it is unlikely to be possible to introduce the option of zooming the view.
Recall that Icewind Dale II debuted in 2002. The game is available exclusively on PC. Currently, the easiest way to acquire the game is to buy it on GOG.com.
