Dungeon-Be-Gone for Baldur's Gate 2
Version: V.1.4
Review first posted on: 4/21/04
Review updated: N/A
Mod download location: http://www.pocketplane.net/mambo/index.php?option=content&task=blogcategory&id=98&Itemid=79


Dungeon-Be-Gone Mod Review
By NaeVa` (AKA Va)

--Introduction**
When I first heard of this mod through an SP friend of mine, my first thought was: “Awesome! No more boring goblin encounters and crappy first level weapons!” And so, I downloaded Dungeon-Be-Gone for Baldur’s Gate II, thinking it to be at the least, a small improvement to the game. In actuality, it turned out better than I expected.

--Installation--
The WeiDU installer package was very easy to use. However, the mod does have a small chance of conflicting with any custom files you may have made.

--Animation--
In the beginning of Irenicus’s dungeon, right after you have the initial talk with him, Jasper St. Baird, the DBG Non-joinable NPC, appears by way of a Dimension Door. His sprite is not of any significance, as it is a default BGII sprite.

--Voicing and Dialogue--
Although a lot of people think the voice acting is annoying, I find it quite hilarious. The line “…Haer’Dalis jackass” will remain with me for quite a while.

--Functionality--
Ahh…here’s the meat of this review, the actual explanations of what the mod does, and how good it does it. For starters, this mod is for one dungeon only, the beginning dungeon of the game. One. That’s all. Upon talking to the DBG NPC, the protagonist is confronted with several choices, and even has the option of picking up Yoshimo from the second floor. Once that’s good and done, the party is transported to the tunnel leading to the exit of the dungeon. Jasper St. Baird then gives the party the option of holding on to some silver acorns for some “very appreciative dryad chicks.” After this, boom. Utter pandemonium. St. Baird gives you a bunch of equipment, flooding your screen with text and voices of “I can’t hold any more.” It would have been much better if the loot were spread out between characters. Oh well. I suppose it’s for the best. One other thing. Many of you may be wondering "Why do I want to skip the first dungeon?" Well, if you're a veteran player, you may find playing through the same areas overly tedious. This mod removes the need to do that.

--Flaws and Overlooked Stuff--
There is no option to free Minsc and Jaheira from their cells if you went straight to Jasper St. Baird, rather than freeing them first. Admittedly, it’s easy to do, but it would be nice if it were included.

--Conclusion--
Overall, the mod is excellent. I found it to be a decent addition to my gaming experience. Without the flaws and other minor bad things above, this would be a perfect mod.

[ May 11, 2004, 21:32: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

What's with the question marks instead of apostrophes?

Since the author hasn't been responding to my notices, I've fixed it myself.

I've had a few buggy problems with this mod. Firstly, on my computer it isn't compatible with Unfinished Business.
Secondly, I found that unless you bring Minsc and Jaheira with you, Jasper St.Baird will not spawn again at the exit.
Other than these I found the mod very useful and entertaining.

I had that same bug, except I found that only if you tried it solo (ie. you having Immy or Yoshimo would fix it) would Jasper not spawn. Same thing happens if you kick everyone out and exit alone (although that doesn't matter because you get group XP anyway).

UB and D-b-G work fine together on my puter. After all, they're both hosted by the Pocket Plane Group.

It is a very good mod, very usable. It's not fully compatible with the Chloe PC because of her appearing somewhere in the dungeon. A pity. Just left her... to die.

:evil: Serves her right... :evil:

Anyway, I think this mod is a great solution for skipping the initial "getting to know" -phase of the game, and it's a shame that there isn't similar one for Icewind Dale 2 (goblins again). :)

Yeah, sorry about that, Tal.

Seems my text editor (no MS word ATM) messed up the words when they were translated to here.

Sorry.

skipping a part of the game that directly connects to the plot is wrong. not playing a piece of the game or cheating to get something in a game isnt fun IMO. when i beat the game using cheats or say this mod then i dont ge the satisfaction of beating the game. because i havent actually beaten the game ive just played through it. beating a game involves finishing the ENTIRE game not just a piece. this mod is shameful!

I installed Dungeons -b-Gone. After the umpteenth time of playing the intro is boring. When first playing a game I play the vanila game. One of the things that makes BG I & II so replayable are the mods. Thanks guys/gals.

I have to disagree Korgal. If you've gone through the beginning as many times as I have, you simply don't find any challenge in doing so again. While I admit that I don't normally play with this mod, as Tactics does restore the challenge to Irencus's dungeon, to say you didn't complete the game because you used dungeon-be-gone isn't a fair assessment.

Yeah you have a few emotional problems there Korgal... gotta calm down. There is no point in Irenicus' dungeon except for getting to know controls so experienced players who see it as just a waste of time can skip it, it's easy that way.

Korgal...

If you KNOW you can beat it blindfolded, then why does it matter whether you skip it? I'm practically able to recite every string of spoken dialogue in Chapter 1. I need to... get... away...!

I've got to agree with Korgal there. It's part of the game, modding is increasing the playability of a game by adding story, characters, items etc. Not to cut a whole chapter out of the game.

My 2 eurocents

Heh, no one is forcing you to use it. It's there for those who find repeating the dull beginning over and over tedious. And those people appreciate it. Just because your idea of modding includes only adding things does not mean it's the sacred truth. For those who would get so bored with having to redo the initial dungeon over and over again that they'd rather not play the game than have to do it all again, being able to skip it certainly does increase the playability.

I thinkt his mod is excellent. It has added to the re-playability vastly. Jasper St.Baird is very funny and adds to the game.

Going through Jon's dungeon is such a chore.

I had a few problems with this mod and a full multiplayer party, but can't recall what it was :/

I must note that thedialogue, voice acting and all the other "frilly" stuff is what makes this mod a real fave of mine :D

I am not sure if its this mod but I seen something along the lines of "sick of your famaliar, try xxxx shop" on the 'advise screen' on loading times. Is this a new feature or just a joke.

Its from either this mod or 'Unfinished Business'.

It's from Unfinished Buisness.

Yes I know what mod its from but does the place exist and if so where?

cheers

Yes and no--it's a reference to the pet shop you can access during Minsc's Lost Boo quest, but you can not actually trade familiars or anything like that. It's also not a place you can normally access from another area, only during the quest.

cheers

i love this mod i always die near the 1st so this will help me

Hah, the point of the Mod is not to help you if you die that easily. It is to get people who have played through the dungeon a billion and a half times. Maybe you should try playing throught it more slowly, taking time to heal so you don't rush into a battle unprepared...

Great Mod, though, and Jasper is hilarious. His voice can get a little grating, but I like his scripts nonetheless. A Near-perfect mod, and the slight imperfections are easily overlooked.

It is a great Mod (Modification). As to cheating or not I think it is everyones personal choice. Sometimes I cheat (alot) and sometimes I play it straight.

I don't know how many times in the past I've thought about replaying Baldur's Gate II, but then that little demon in my mind whispers "Irenicus' Dungeon..." and puts me off.

This mod helped, and now I'm more immersed in the game than I ever was before - I wouldn't be if I'd had to do Irenicus' Dungeon, as I probably wouldn't have started.

There was a time when I was shouting lines from the dungeon in my sleep. *shudder*

I simply don't understand the need for this mod. If it helps some people though, great. But by the time you get tired of ID because of too many play-throughs, you should be getting tired of every area from too many play-throughs. The only way you'd be playing ID more times is if you give up partway through your game and start over, which would just make you a quitter. ;)

I view the entire game as a wide tapestry, and not looking at all parts (whether it be beginning or end) spoils the overall effect. I wouldn't dream of cutting out any of it, especially not a part that's so plot-filled. After all, don't you want ot find out how the heck you got from being on top of the world freeing the Sword Coast from a mighty villain, to being tortured in an unlicensed dungeon in Amn? That seems like a bit of a step to me. :heh:

From what I've heard of the mod, though, it sounds like it was very well put together. I wonder if someone will make a mod to cut out other parts too? Like the planar prison quest if you want HD but don't want the hassle. Or something to cut out that repetative Brynnlaw-Spellhold part. The Underdark gets far too much play too, and Suldanessellar seems like the same thing every time as well. Modding is full of possibilities...

Well, when there's a scarcity of choices for escaping the Dungeon, it's boring. You have to activate the Sewer golem to open the doors. No way around that bit. Okay, you can just snitch the portal key and skip the dryads altogether. On the second floor, you can just fight the mephits and portals, detrap an area, kill some assassins and leave.

How many methods can you try out before you fall asleep and wake up to see that damn reload screen because the PC bought the farm? Yes, I have taken naps during Chateau Irenicus! :lol: Even taking the fastest way through, that place is more linear than a straight line.

Great mod, imo. Now, if only the cutscenes could be taken out... ;)

No no, the cutscenes are great! Any cutscene with Irenicus is great, he's wonderful! Awesome acting.

There is a shortened cutscenes component, of the EoU I think. It has Irenicus asking for your auto-graph on his T-shirt :eek: *shudders* :mommy:

:lol:

I have Razfallow's Slightly Improved Ilyich, so I don't need Dungeon-Be-Gone so much any more. :)

Some mods needs awarding with a statue. Even Irenicus would have been proud. By the way you can go back and get, but no that would be cheating, and we do not do wicked things

Indeed, this is a brilliant mod, brilliant! Althought I always managed to get trough the dungeon, not because of difficulty but because of it getting so painfully repeating, mind you, I never enjoyed it after about 15 times of playing (actually more than 15, lost count in my worst gaming frenzy last summer, about 20 playtroughs actually during that time)
Irenicus' lines were stickied in my mind.
So, after having no point in playing it again and again, I tried DBG, and results were great! I was really satisfied with the fact that the high n' mighty dungeon full of goblins was now nothing but a bad memory.

I would rate it myself around 10/10, for the simple fact it keeps it's promise and does what is needed. Also I liked Jasper, "That Haer'dalis jackass" :D