True, but given IRL current worldwide events I could do without being force-fed nihilism in what's supposed to be "entertainment" for me. I play D&D because I want to feel good about being a hero, not because I want to be reminded how much life sucks... :|

I hear you. I kinda play RPGs for the same reasons (which is why I enjoy Divinity: Original Sin despite it being derided for being "too silly"). This like this are my main problems with games like Pillars of Eternity and The Witcher 3 (even though I friggin love these two games).

I haven't played Siege of Dragonspear (still waiting for a discount since I want these soundtracks). I had no problem spoiling myself with your description and quite frankly...I'm being torn on this. Sure, it's frustrating to have an ending like this (I HATED when Dragon Age II pulled that), but at the same time, it had to end with the protagonist being captured to set up Baldur's Gate 2. Now was it done well? Judging from your answers it wasn't, but I honestly can't tell since I haven't seen it. But this sounds suspiciously like the end of the first episode of Doom.

I'm still happy that Siege of Dragonspear is out since it means more Infinity Engine gameplay for me (and the chance to show that this type of game still has an audience), Despite all the criticism, I'm still willing to give it a chance and form my own opinion. It usually takes a LOT to get me angry at a game (like Alone in the Dark: Illumination).

If I tried to claim that the ending of SoD "only" irritated me it would be a huge understatement. I thought SoD was a very good until the end of the final battle with the Big Bad and after that for me it plummeted into the toilet. I feel as though it might as well have been a totally non-interactive cut-scene because I felt as though nothing I was permitted to do made any difference. I understand that CHARNAME has to be captured by Irenicus, but between the defeat of the Big Bad and the ending cinematic all sense of player agency is removed, you're forced into a humiliation conga line. For me it would have been a much better game if it had just abruptly ended right after the final battle against the Big Bad.

So, perhaps some of the blame should be given to BG2's start? I never played mods, but all I remember is them being captured and experimented on. No other reason was given. Did everyone dislike BG2's beginning story as much as SoDs ending?

Shifting the blame will not make SoD's ending any less awful. Beamdog had two stories, however flawed, to work on. The original authors were working with blank slates -- BG2's start makes sense when you follow the whole story. The stories (BG1 & 2) are what they are; the amateurish writing at Beamdog is wholly at fault here.

Just curious. I liked how bg2 started and it probably made it easier for new players to get in on the series. But I'm pretty easy going and like Beamdog's work too especially the EE because I don't mess with mods. And I may be one in the minority who likes BG1 better, so I'll take any more game time in BG1. Maybe an expansion like TotSC would have went over better.

I have no problem with the requirement of being captured due to the beginning of BG2. What irritated me is what happened between the defeat of the Big Bad and the ending cinematic, especially how nothing CHARNAME was allowed to do had any effect on the predeterrmined outcome.

Have you played SoD to completion? If not then I doubt you can truly comprehend how nullifying the ending of this game is. I'm purposely avoiding spoiling the ending by giving specific detail. Finish the game and reread my posts regarding the ending again. Also keep in mind that I was playing a Paladin Cavalier in this, that made this ending all the more worse for me.

Am I correct in assuming you are either a D&D and/or Forgotten Realms fan since you follow the creator on facebook? I never knew who the creator was because I never played any tabletop games or much other D&D. However, I think I can understand your point of view if you were expecting a D&D tabletop simulator where you have more choice of actions right? All I was expecting was a continuation of the game play and story of a --video game-- I like playing; so I have less complaints.

Not really. It's just that at the end (if I understood right), the game sticks you in an hopeless boss fight and makes it so nothing you've done so far matters.

I understand that complain and it's a cheap plot device. I would actually be angry if it was in an actual sequel. It doesn't bothers me that much since it's an interquel (and that even Baldur's Gate 2 used that trick) and that to avoid continuity errors (unless they want to alter their version of BG 2 even more) your actions mustn't have lasting consequences (unless they intend to use it in their next expansion).

While I've played D&D off & on since the the 80s; I don't follow Ed Greenwood or anyone else for the matter on Facebook, I just happened to read about Ed's public postings on SoD on a different forum. I don't expect The Infinity Engine games or any other video game to be a tabletop simulator. Have you played SoD to completion? If you have, could you understand why some might greatly dislike the total absence of player agency between the defeat of the Big Bad and the ending cinematic?

No, it's an even greater than a hopeless boss fight. CHARNAME gets framed, suffers a [url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HumiliationConga]humiliation conga line and is not even allowed any meaningful action in regards to the situation before the ending cinematic plays; not even a dialog option of, "I have to clear my name." Play it to completion and then reread Hickory's and my posts regarding this.

I understand. I have also played a lot of video games. Endings are 90% terrible. I guess what keeps me playing more is the journey is more important than the destination mentality. Seriously, I can count on one hand how many video game endings I thought were actually done well. I was also thinking, out of all the video games I've played, how most were part of a "universe" or franchise and had sequels. Maybe I need to get out more.

Here is my two cents on it all.... Hopefully beamdog makes enough money from this project to make it worthwhile to pursue making new campaigns. Who cares if they are Baldur's gate related. I just hope they are motivated enough to make more. The Baldur's Gate series, and Neverwinter Nights style games were some of my all time favorite. If all everyone does is bitch about it when a new one is test released....there won't be anymore ever.

You're a blind fool.

All that's really needed is some decent Baldur's Gate-style artwork -- outdoors, indoors, cavern, dungeon, etc. BITD, when people tried to re-purpose artwork, like the ankheg lair, or the caves in the gnoll stronghold, many were provided not-so-subtle reminders that they were using copyrighted material. Depending on the country in which they resided, these took the form of cease and desist letters or worse. As a result, most of the mods depended on little to no new artwork -- side quests and subplots, new items, new NPCs, etc.

If there were artists willing to contribute, I doubt there would be any problem at all getting quality, new material. So much so that the problem would be in avoiding the stairs down in a particular house in Beregost from being linked to two different mods.