Icewind Dale Enhanced Edition

Game Review: Icewind Dale Enhanced Edition
Score: 8.5/10

As a classic RPG fan, I was more than ready to return to this game. Years ago, I played a large part of the original game and had fond memories of battling frigid creatures and traversing the treacherous countryside of the Icewind Dale area. On recently diving back into the game, I have mixed feelings; nostalgia has clashed with modern sensibilities.

Graphics & Presentation (Score: 7/10)
Regarding the visuals, the Enhanced Edition boosts the graphics of the original with improved textures and some enhanced sprites. But, as they say, the graphics were made in those days. The 2D isometric art ranges from feeling old-fashioned to being grating compared to recent high-vision RPGs such as the stunningly designed animations of "Divinity: Original Sin 2" or "Disco Elysium." More color and life shine brighter in the remaster than just the original; that's something hard for any new gamer to get over. 

Gameplay Mechanics (Score: 9/10)
Gameplay shines because of the game most definitely are the Dungeons & Dragons mechanics that serve as its foundation. Highly enjoyable and deep, the gameplay is all about strategising and planning. One has to have even an average party composition as combat can be ruthless. I enjoyed how the added content and tweaks give some extra flavor to the experience-for example, with new character options and quest lines. Tactical pause, a feature that allows careful planning of moves in the heat of battle, really saves your ass a lot. 

Story & Characters (Score: 8/10)
There is basically no character development a la "Baldur's Gate"; the storyline is plainer than those of Icewind's contemporaries. Instead, this one's about braving that icy wilderness against the innumerable evils, discovering the secrets behind the Ten Towns. And even if the NPCs have the tendency toward superficial characterization when compared to other RPGs, however, they still provide entertaining quests and their contributions toward the world lore. For world-builders (like myself), the sheer volume of lore in the Forgotten Realms is truly captivating. 

Sound Design (Score: 8/10)
Sound design is a classic, sort of, but very effective-the music is haunting and fits the chilly landscapes like a glove. The music really set the mood for many miles, drawing me back to those moments I fell in love with RPGs in the first place. The enhanced version also provides a number of upgraded sound effects and voice-overs to help make the experience feel more immersive. 

Final Thoughts
Definitely rewarding for newcomers and veteran players alike, especially those who fondly remember the adventure of late '90s RPGs. Its strengths lie with deep mechanics and challenging gameplay, while the narrative focuses on exploration rather than character interactions. Should you be after a solid, strategy-heavy RPG that stays true to its foundations, you won't be disappointed-but while playing, you may very well feel just how old some things are.

All in all, I would highly recommend this game for any self-respecting RPG aficionado and anybody fond of old-style gaming; less so for people used to more current forms of storytelling and graphics as found in modern titles. It is a charming romp through the cold lands that are worth the journey despite its imperfections.