-
They
are confident that the game will come out around September.
-
The
game is practically feature locked now.
-
The
final NPC that is returning from BG is Viconia (others are Imoen,
Minsc, Edwin and Jaheira). She is apparently very helpful in the Underdark.
(Thanks to David and James for the scoop).
-
Brawling is not longer a style that can be chosen. The monk will have
it as a special ability.
-
The
paperdolls have been redone and there is definitely a separate one
for gnomes.
-
Mages
can talk with their familiars to get advice (based on area and chapter
triggers). The familiar can also be stored in your pack to protect
it, like carrying a Lim-Lim in Planescape: Torment. Imps and pseudo-dragons
can cast spells, while cats, ferrets and rabbits have pick pocket
ability.
-
The
fighter's stronghold, a castle, is initially in a ruined state and
after he completes the quest, it is replaced with a restored one.
-
When in the city of Athkatla, all the maps are uncovered on the area
map.
-
Area
maps include descriptive markers for important locations.
-
The journal included a note taking feature and the journal appeared
to order the individual items hierarchically under the quests. Quests
are divided in to do and done.
-
The world map features a blue and green watercolor instead of a parchment
like in BG. Areas that are visited appear on the map like in BG.
-
Each weapon type will have an ultimate version in the game. One weapon
that was implimented was a Mace of Disruption.
-
The
quick slots at the bottom of the screen are now assigned to the function
keys to speed up their use.
-
Experience
for quests is not divided between players. The same amount is given
to each player irrespective of the number of party members. Combat
experience is divided between the party members.
-
Each
weapon has its own class. There is only one for crossbows (not heavy
and light). The blackjack seemed to have been removed. The washizaki
is now considered a scimitar, while the katana was still present.
-
Some monsters: pit fiend, imp, drow, shadow, dancing sword, moose!,
githyanki, lich, demilich, djinni, mind flayer, yuan-ti and pirates.
-
Over
five hundred items are for the finding.
-
Lanfear
and Draconis are present in the game (Council of Six BG II message
board regulars, e.n.)
-
According
to Ben Smedstad (Producer), the main quest will take 50-60 hours,
while doing all the quests possible will yield 200-300 hours of gameplay.
