I have to confess that, despite the best of intentions, I have never finished BG1 nor BG2.
I've started the series multiple times. Then life gets in the way, and when I come back to the game later, I have no idea what's going on and start over.

As a long time RPG player, loving titles like M&M II and Moria in my childhood, I feel a bit strange that I can't seem to finish this pillar of the genre. Maybe that feeling is shame.


Any suggestions on how to conquer this offense to my gamer pride?

Well I actually don't have any advice other than to take advantage of your schedule gaps and just hack away at the games until the end but know that you do not stand alone because I have yet to finish BG2 as well even after owning it for quite a few years now. Although, my reason is that I always seem to lose interest around the same part of the game and then I just end up stopping only to come back to it a year or two later and start from scratch. Having to reload repeatedly within a game due to that cheeze dripping spell imprisonment being cast on my main char Inquisitor or Cavalier slowly erodes my passion for playing. I've finished BG1 plenty though I love rocking that game.

Yeah, there's no easy answer to this. Ideally, of course, would be to not start the game until you can be sure you have ample free time to devote to it, but as you say, life gets in the way... Another avenue of approach might be to stick to the main storyline, and avoid all unnecessary side quests completely. Doing this will stunt you XP gain, but you could offset that to some degree by not having a full party of six. By sticking to just the main quest line, you could make a note -- a text file inside the game folder would do -- with a reminder of what steps you have taken so far, where you are and what you are supposed to do next, when/if you have to shelve the game again. When you come back to it, you have the information right there, and hopefully it will jog your memory sufficiently to get you back into it.

A gamer should never feel shame just because the games' journey was not completed.

When the original Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, Icewind Dale and all of those types of cRpgs first came out, didn't complete any them until many years later... and wasn't withdrawn or disappointed when I finally made the time to satisfy my curiosity of each titles ending. In fact, when the game ended, I wanted to start over again!

:)

It's really the amount of time one puts into the game where the quality lies.

Sometimes when one start over fantastic games like these, there are interesting little details to spot that may not have been obvious on the first playthrough.

My point is that starting over again is something every cRpg er will eventually do whether the journey is completed or not.

:)

Treat the game as a simplified version of Command & Conquer, not as a rpg, each map a mission.
When you enter a new map explore everything and try to leave it into all 4 directions so adjacent maps will appear.
This way you can see what you've done and what not by the color of the area maps.

When you get to BG city use a walkthrough or at least a map from the internet since it's so badly designed that you'll have trouble remembering where to go even if you play on daily basis.

If, for some reason, that you are lost after re-loading a save slot for a long period of time, it would be to your advantage to take notes in the journal.
What I do is create an additional save slot specifically to take notes inside the journal. It is also a chance to engage in some role-playing as the ability to write anything allows for that level of gameplay.

:)

Same here man. Ive never finished it either but I hardly ever finish any games. I always come back and start over. This is still one of my fav rpgs ever made. Thats really saying something.

If you go to play after not having played a while, rather than loading the last save you made, load one BEFORE your last save. This will have you replaying a part you've played before though may not remember very well and then will get you back into "the swing" of what you were doing and be back on your way, most likely. As was recommended, I also highly recommend completing 1 map at a time systematically (going to all 4 sides of the map to discover any new adjacent areas.) This is especially true for the first BG. If you enter a map that is too hard, simply try another and come back to it once you're higher levels. A good guide I like to go by is to be level 4 before doing the Gnoll strongehold or the Nashkel mines and so just clear all the wildnerness areas around and between those places and then see where you're at. Also, a guide isn't something to be ashamed to use, I like gamebanshee.com for RPGs because it is so thorough with everything at each location broken down quite easily. Most importantly, have fun!

You have to finish it and only then you will know the peace inside.

No seriousely, BG 2 is a strange game for me too, I sold it when I was more young because I found it too laborious for me, and now I'm back in with nostagic force, it thanks to GOG.
This game is long and not perfect, but characters are great and it 's a stimulating RPG.

Now cult, challenge doesn't lack.

We will see...

All I have to add is ...

If there is wizard in your party, wait'll try out the spell simulacrum!

You're gonna love casting that one every chance you get.

;)

If you can find a solution to that problem, please let me know too :) I own 4 legal copies of BG2 and a bunch of cracks only because whenever I was halfway the game, something happened, I changed location, my pc died, I got busy and couldnt play for months and then when i came back i didnt feel like continuing the old saves. Sigh. BG1 and BG2 total I probably started the games 15-20 times. I will finish the game. I will. :)

Being able to strike down the really big creatures like beholders, giants, basilisks & dragons when one treads deeper in th game with level 7 spells & above, equipped with the best gear and best enchanted weapons should be a motivating factor to bringing th game to a close.

Keep going...

There's a lot more to see!

:)

I think you need to see a cleric. Such sins should remain private.

The two BG games are amazing, and I am sad that you haven't beaten them yet, but hey...they are VERY long games. Especially by today's standards.

I can't get past the first few hrs of Planescape Torment without getting bored and playing something else. On the other hand I played the heck out of BG 1&2 and many other RPGs.

Different games grab different people I guess.