New player here. Just bought the game and started playing. The one annoying thing I've noticed is my journal doesn't update. I see the pop up with the latest journal entry but when I open my journal or click on the pop up, it's completely empty. Any idea how I can fix this?

Play the original BG2. The EE versions are full of bugs and stuff like you just experienced.

I have the same problem. Is this still a bug, or am I missing something?

Yes, it is one of the many bugs that's not fixed yet. Beamdog mentions a version 2.5 update but no information regarding what will be fixed and potentially break.

So guys, just to be 100% sure, the recommendation is to play the non-enhanced version of BG2? So that would mean missing out on both expansions as well as widescreen support?

I just want to be sure before starting a game. I just got BG2EE from this weekend's sale.

Thanks

Advice on whether you should play EE or non-EE is going to vary wildly, depending on who you talk to. You'll get everything from "Walks On Water" to "Literal Anti-Christ" in opinions.

I'm given to understand that there is a widescreen mod available for non-EE. You'll have to do a little bit of extra work for it, but it is available.

I'm not sure what expansions you're talking about it. SoD is a separate game, not an expansion for BG2EE. ToB is included in the BG2 games available on GOG (both EE and non-EE versions). ToSC is for BG1, and is likewise already included for both EE and non-EE.

Thx for the reply and opinion.

To my understanding, both Shadows of Amn and Throne of Bhaal are included with BG2EE. So, if I skip the EE and play the non-EE, I won't have access to those 2, will I?

Then again, I'D prefer to play the EE version unless it's broken.

poulpy72 -

The original classic Baldur's Gate 2 is "Shadow of Amn", and the original classic BG2 expansion is "Throne of Bhaal". "Shadow of Amn" is the BG2 main game. "Throne of Bhaal" is the final Chapters after the main game.

Then Beamdog came along in recent years and did an Enhanced Edition of BG2, which includes SoA and ToB.

If you bought BG2 EE from gog.com, then you have all of the above: BG2 (SoA) and its expansion (ToB), in both the classic version, and Enhanced Edition version.

I've never played the Enhanced Edition version, but I hear there are a lot of bugs therein. I've never encountered any bugs playing the classic version.

For the classic version, there are many mods, created by passionate fans. Some mods add new game content, some add quality of life enhancements, and there is also a mod to make widescreen resolutions work. These mods are very reliable, as they are created by passionate fans that don't do it for money, but rather because they love the game.

I'm old school. I say play the original (with a widescreen mod if you prefer), and play it the way the original developers intended.

Also, I'd recommend playing original BG1 first. It really is one big story. Your character from BG1 can and should be imported into BG2.

CFM, thx for the additonal info, very much appreciated. I should have done further reesearch regarding SoA and ToB instead of bugging you guys in here, but again, thanks for the clear explanations.

I have played the original BG years ago when it came out but sadly, I have not kept any saved games so characters will need to be created anew.

Following the answers I got from Bookwyrm and yourself, I'll stick with the original version and might give the mods a look.

Thanks again!

Yep. As CFM said, BG2 is literally Shadows of Amn, and its expansion (Throne of Bhaal) is included in the GOG purchase. The GOG installer will install both. If you use the EE installer, then you get Beamdog's EE version; use the non-EE installer (you'll need to access it through the webpage, not through Galaxy) to install the non-EE version.

BG1 and its expansion, Tales of the Sword Coast, are a single product for sale.
Siege of Dragonspire is a separate product created by Beamdog (not by the people who created the original BG1 and 2).
BG2 and its expansion, Throne of Bhaal, are also a single product.

I've seen some screen shots, and between those and the tales I've heard about the EE, I'm inclined to recommend just playing the non-EE. It is entirely fine to play BG2 without playing BG1 first; that's how I did it oh-so-many years ago (I didn't even have the first one at the time). BG1 and BG2 have somewhat different style focuses, and different people prefer one over the other. BG1 is very much about exploring the lands in a free form fashion, while BG2 is somewhat more focused on questing.

Is there a different download for the non-EE version? All I see is the EE install files to be downloaded and not the classic. Am I just blind again??

Sorry Bookwyrm, I never clarified this. I am not, and never have been, using Galaxy. I always go from the browser. I see the EE installer files and in the serial key I see the EE key. I have yet to install BG2, so is during the install that I get the option to install the classic one instead of the EE?

Sorry if I sound like a newbie.....I sure feel like one :(

Looking at the screen shot again, I'm guessing the label next to the key is somewhat misleading.

Under "More" -> "Serial Key" should be a serial key for the non-EE, not the EE. You'll need to redeem the serial key to add the non-EE game to your library. Copy the serial key you found into the box on the Redeem page, then click the "Continue" button. The Redeem page will show what game the key provides, and you'll have a chance to back out if you decide you don't want to use the key.

The serial key should be for non-EE. Use it to add the non-EE game to your account, then I think you'll need to go to your library, select (the newly added) "Baldur's Gate 2 Complete", and download THAT installer to get the non-EE game.

There are two separate installers, one for the EE, and one for the non-EE. You'll need to download the one you want to use. Neither installer includes both EE and non-EE in one download.

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I'm sorry I can't be more clear; I'm trying to write step-by-step instructions without ever having seen the full process myself. If you're still confused, then let me know and I'll ping someone knowledgeable who should be able to be more clear (since they've done it).

Despite that it says, it's actually a key you can redeem on this site to get the classic version. Just follow the link (which you may need to cut and paste) while logged into your GOG account, choose to redeem the game (and possibly slove a CAPCHA), and you will get the classic game added to your account.

This goes for BG1 and Icewind Dale as well, but not Planescape: Torment (which handles things differently here).