It's been just over a year since Baldur's Gate 3 launched and it basically revolutionized what one can expect from an RPG… and, in fact, from gaming in general. The level of flexibility, wrapped up in a captivating story and genuinely interesting characters that Baldur's Gate 3 brought, earned it a slew of awards and overwhelming critical acclaim. But where did it all begin?
Well, that's a bit of a complicated answer, but an easy (and non-committal) one is Baldur's Gate 1. And it just so happens to be free on Amazon Prime Gaming to download and play right now, handy if you're looking to dive into a deep game this weekend.
Released in 1998 for the PC, under development by Bioware – who weren't the RPG giant they are today – the original Baldur's Gate is quite different from Larian's Baldur's Gate 3. It uses an isometric perspective requiring mouse and keyboard control and sits firmly in what is now known as CRPGs (classical role-playing games) – if you've played Pillars of Eternity you'll have an idea of what you're in for.
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Fortunately, Amazon offers the Enhanced Edition of Baldur's Gate, which should mean it will run smoothly on modern gaming PCs and laptops.
And for people who want to explore the origins of Baldur's Gate, are eager for a big dose of nostalgia (if you're a 30-something RPG fan like me), or want a great classic RPG with a deep story and some old-school Dungeons & Dragons rules, then Baldur's Gate is well worth a download.
I haven't played Baldur's Gate in years, but I have fond memories of being thrown into a world that looked almost painted on a screen but had astonishing detail; I could immerse myself in Candlekeep's design for hours.
It can be a little tricky to get your head around D&D combat and rules, but once you get it, you can feel pretty satisfied developing your character and party as you explore the Sword Coast. And there's something relaxing and enjoyable about guiding your ragtag band of heroes with a click of the mouse and a few taps of the keyboard; Baldur's Gate can easily be played one-handed, allowing you to sip a nice drink while you soak up the story, lore, and character chatter.
If you like CRPGs, you're in luck, as Baldur's Gate has more to offer in the form of the Tales of the Sword Coast expansion that's included in the Enhanced Edition. After that, Baldur's Gate 2 Enhanced Edition can be found for bargain prices on sites like Steam – I managed to grab it as part of an earlier Games with Prime release. I got completely lost in Baldur's Gate 2's story, which I found surprisingly fresh compared to many other fantasy titles, so it's also worth checking out.
To access Amazon Prime Gaming, all you need is an Amazon Prime membership, as the gaming part is included – it’s just that Amazon doesn’t always promote it. Amazon Prime has all sorts of benefits, but if you don’t want to commit to a long-term membership, you can get a 30-day trial – see the box below.
If I haven't convinced you that Baldur's Gate is worth checking out, especially if you've played Baldur's Gate 3, then there are a number of other free games you can claim right now. Might I suggest the excellent Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the Sith Lords, and the intriguing time-loop game The Forgotten City?
