Does anyone else feel a little sad? I know it sounds strange, but it feels a little sad when you've completed the game because it’s all over, and you have to ‘say goodbye’ to the characters in your party. I know they’re only characters in a game, and this maybe a testament to the quality of the game and the writing, but it really feels like I’m saying goodbye to friends and acquaintances. I really hated it when Valygar was killed by the dragon who was the son of one of the Bhaalspawn (I don’t remember his name off the top of my head), because it was a death that couldn’t be reversed by spell or scroll. I had to think about whom to choose to replace him, and in the end I chose Mazzy because of her skill with the short sword and short bow.

I’m posting because now because I just completed the game for the first time, so it’s still fresh in the mind.

Completing the game always leaves a feeling you've achieved something but also like you're saying goodbye.

It's a bit like leaving school, unsure if you wil feel the same about them when you meet up with them again (in a new game :p ) or whether you will decide to meet up with them again.

It's strange but still keeps you coming back for more :)

^When Valygar died irreversibly, why did not load your game? This is what I do when any member becomes chopped and dies of massive damage. (very comon in insane difficulty). You are a true RPGamer then, don't you ever load? (what happens when you die?) (or haven't you ever died? :o )

YOU could NOT express my feelings better! I do feel my NPCs are great friends, comrades, lovers :D and leaving them makes me sad (I finished ToB ONCE and refused the godhood. I just could not stand to leave NPCs behind!) Now I am in Suldenasellar in my NEWEST GAME (and this was VERY challenging as I had TACTICS and IMPROVED BATTLES installed) and I do not want to finish my game! I DON'T! I loove my PC and NPCs so much I hope I will never be able to finish ToB! (which is VERY likely as this time I have ASCENSION installed and I did not hear very good things for the Amelissan final battle!!! :D )

Completing the game always leaves a feeling you've achieved something but also like you're saying goodbye.
That is very true. It felt good to finally complete the game, but also sad because a really great journey is over. Playing BG2 doesn't feel like playing a game at all. It really feels like a journey and it is a journey I thoroughly enjoyed making.


^When Valygar died irreversibly, why did not load your game? This is what I do when any member becomes chopped and dies of massive damage. (very comon in insane difficulty). You are a true RPGamer then, don't you ever load? (what happens when you die?) (or haven't you ever died? )

YOU could NOT express my feelings better! I do feel my NPCs are great friends, comrades, lovers and leaving them makes me sad (I finished ToB ONCE and refused the godhood. I just could not stand to leave NPCs behind!) Now I am in Suldenasellar in my NEWEST GAME (and this was VERY challenging as I had TACTICS and IMPROVED BATTLES installed) and I do not want to finish my game! I DON'T! I loove my PC and NPCs so much I hope I will never be able to finish ToB! (which is VERY likely as this time I have ASCENSION installed and I did not hear very good things for the Amelissan final battle!!! )When Valygar died, I could have loaded by last save back up but then I would have had to start the battle all over again, and it takes a while. Even so, I wouldn't have done it. I save a lot so I can replay any difficult battles and sections, but with a permanent death I don't do that. I hate it when characters die and you can't bring them back, because as my original post says, I get attached to the characters, but even so I wouldn't reload to get around a permanent death. I think a death like that is a death that is meant to be and it is meant to be part of the story told. I want to experience the journey and story that is meant to happen, and if that means a beloved character dies, then so be it. I don't like it, but I understand that it is part of the experience, and in a way it makes it all the richer, because you are experiencing highs and lows. I don't think I'd like the game as much if I got around a permanent death.

And, like you, I turned down becoming a god, and for the very same reasons. I wanted to stay with the friends I had made, and see things through. It made completing the game a much more fulfilling experience.

I was happy to finally finish the damn thing! I'm a chronic restarter, and I completed the game with a character imported from BGI. That's one helluva feeling.

The thing is, I haven't been able to get into a game since, and I'm trying out Icewind Dale now.

@Klorox: IWD feels like a Diablo clone after playing BG2... :D

I really really really hope the good folks at Bioware can come up with something as good as BG2 during my lifetime...but I doubt it. :)

Reaching the end of the game is a very poignant event indeed. My eyes still reflect the way my companions looked back at Candlekeep, or the Gnoll Fortress, or Ulgoth's Beard, or the Elfsong Tavern; and how far they (and I) have come since then. And the best part is, I can go back and start again, and it's a whole new experience. :)