Keepers is a weekly segment in which I discuss games I’ve played that I’ve seen fit to keep after playing. I generally sell a game that I’ve finished, so the only reason I keep one is because I plan to replay the game some day. Classifying a game as a “keeper” is generally a badge of merit.

If I had to name one single game that is a keeper, it would likely be one of the Baldur’s Gate titles. Probably Baldur’s Gate 2, although playing the original Baldur’s Gate via EasyTutu is a very close second. I also played through the entirety of Icewind Dale 2 with my wife via multiplayer LAN, which was awesome. But I’ve got to say that the Baldur’s Gate games were a bit better than Icewind Dale.

If you’ve never experienced Baldur’s Gate, it’s going to be very difficult for me to adequately explain to you the appeal. It’s simply the best strategic RPG I’ve ever played. The closest second I can think of for strategic combat is Fallout: Tactics, but the Infinity Engine games are much better. Although the games are very dated by today’s standards, and playing in higher than a 600×800 resolution can be a challenge, they’re as fun today as they were a decade ago.

I never finished the Baldur’s Gate 2 expansion, but I still love the game.