Baldur’s Gate may not be getting it’s third true sequel just yet, but it will be receiving a new expansion - Siege of Dragonspear.
Bridging the gap between Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition, the new expansion will be filled with “over 25 hours of gameplay” to sink your teeth into, according to developer Beamdog.
Here’s the official blurb for the expansion:
Though Sarevok is dead and his plan for war averted, peace eludes the citizens of Baldur’s Gate. A crusade marches from the north, seizing supplies, forcing locals into military service, and disrupting trade along the Sword Coast. A charismatic warrior known as the Shining Lady leads this army, her background shrouded in mystery. Can the rumors be true—is she, like you, the child of a god?
The closer you get to the Shining Lady, the more you realize your father, the dead Lord of Murder still casts a long shadow upon your path. Baldur’s Gate has put its faith in you, but you must determine whose interests you truly serve before you face the Shining Lady among the ruins of Dragonspear Castle…
You’ll have to own Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition in order to purchase and play Siege of Dragonspear, but the good news is that you can import your saved game from Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition and continue from where you left off. On top of that, once you’re finished with Siege of Dragonspear you can export your character to Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition as well.
Among the key features announced by Beamdog are a new Shaman class to master, four new companions and a new difficulty setting which enables players to “experience all of the story with none of the Game Over screens”. Siege of Dragonspear is also capable of supporting up to 6 players in “cooperative, cross-platform multiplayer from start to finish”.
The new companions sound like an interesting bunch. A human, a dwarf, a gnome and a goblin will be available to recruit to your party. Schael Corwin is a female archer; Voghiln the Vast sounds as though he’s a Bard, inspiring his allies with epic tales; Glint Garnersonson is a Cleric who worshiops the gnomish god of illusion and deception; and M’Khiin Grubdoubler is an “unusual” Shaman who is “determined not to return to her tribe”.
Of the new locations, you’ll be exploring the Fallen Temple of Bhaal - the God of Murder around whom the story of Baldur’s Gate revolves, and an ancient Dwarven city that houses a sinister cult. The titular Dragonspear castle is said to be situated on a portal to the Nine Hells, and we’ll also visit Boareskyr Bridge, where Bhall was slain by Cyric.
Beamdog has been making a name for itself over the last few years with its enhanced re-releases of classic Infinity Engine RPGs. As well as Baldur‘s Gate and its sequel, they’ve also developes an enhanced edition of Icewind Dale. Alas, there’s no enhanced edition of the superb Planescape: Torment yet, but hopefully it’s only a matter of time before The Nameless One is exposed to a whole new generation of story-hungry gamers.
No pricing or release date has been announced yet, but Siege of Dragonspear will be available to buy for PC, Linux and Mac OS, with Android and iOS versions coming “shortly thereafter”.
You can read more about Siege of Dragonspear over on the game’s official website.
