Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn is without doubt one of the greatest RPG games in existance. This is not to be missed!
The player starts in a dungeon with several party members to add. With a starting level of 7, and plenty of weapons and armour early on, the dungeon became one of my faourite areas. After battling your way out of the dungeon, the plot line quickly expands.
Baldur's Gate II is one of the most non-linear games I have ever experienced. The player can chose, if he or she wishes, to diverge off the main plot line, and delve into the hundreds of quests, from finding a missing item, to uncovering an evil plot and then challenging a red dragon. The main plot line is easy to follow, yet provokes thought from the player and abounds with riddles and scenarios requiring good problem solving skills.
Graphically wise, BGII has a myriad of spell and weapon effects. Whilst (due to its release date) now outclassed by games such as Neverwinter Nights II, the visuals are still entertaining. The isometric camera of the game is error free and easy to use, although its angle did (only once or twice) obscure certain objects from the player. Bug wise, the game is virtually perfect, with no errors in any plot line or object that I have found yet.
AI is superb as well, although the path finding sometimes requires micromanagement. Enemies will drink potions to restore health, shout out for aid in battle when wounded, and will cast specific spells to deal with party members.
With over 20 different party members to choose form, each with their own perosonality and many with large quests related to them, the games diversity has exceeded most others in this genre.
Baldurs Gate II: Shadows of Amn is undisputably, undeniably, one of the greatest RPG's in existence. Animations, camera, plot, characters, this game has it all, and with a non linear plot system and over 40 hours of playing just for the main plot line (which is small in comparison to the other quests together), this game can be repeatedly played in single player, or together in a multiplayer setting. If you dont have this game, I strongly recommend it. In fact, just get it.