A Baldur's Gate 2 remake is in the works according to rumors

A return to the classics?

The next game in the Baldur's Gate series won't be a sequel to Larian Studios' Game of the Year RPG Baldur's Gate 3, apparently, but a return to the classics. According to an anonymous source cited by PC Gamer, Dungeons & Dragons owner Wizards of the Coast is currently developing a remake of Baldur's Gate 2: Shadow of Amn, the classic role-playing game from BioWare studios.

According to PC Gamer's report, former BioWare developer and Baldur's Gate 2 co-lead designer Kevin Martens is also working on the project, which may also included a remake of the original Baldur's Gate. What that would entail is unclear. Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2 have already received a popular "enhanced" edition, courtesy of Beamdog, which updates these games with better interfaces, bug fixes, and even new companions and quests.

A full remake could imply new graphics, either in 3D or 2D-HD. The first two Baldur's Gate games, and the expansion Throne of Bhaal, were developed using BioWare's Infinity Engine. They featured an isometric perspective that simulated a 3D environment using pre-rendered 2D scrolling backgrounds, with characters and objects represented by sprites. As a massive fan of these games, I have a hard time imagining how they would look with modern graphics.

Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2 are considered some of the best computer RPGs of all time, and some of the most successful Dungeons & Dragons video game adaptations. Long before Larian got involved with the franchise, BioWare delivered a memorable epic filled with vibrant locations, relatable characters, and hard choices that would accompany players for a long time. The games still have their following today, thanks to Beamdog's excellent work with the Enhanced Editions, but it's undeniable that the outdated graphics are an entry barrier for new, younger players.

However, graphics may not be the only issue with a Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2 remake. The games use a modified version of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules, which were phased out of the TTRPG 26 years ago. Modern editions of D&D have simplified the ruleset so much that younger players could have a hard time navigating Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2's complex system, which relies on pausable real-time gameplay. It's a radically different experience from Baldur's Gate 3.

If the rumors turn out to be true, everything will depend on what Wizards of the Coast is trying to achieve with these remakes. There is a fine line between maintaining what made the originals great and subverting them for the sake of modernization. Hopefully for us fans, the developers will tread carefully.