This is it exactly, at least for me. Everything else about the game could have been exactly the same as it is today, but just with a title that had nothing to do with the original BG games. Heck, it could even have had the words 'BG' in the title, something like 'BG: The New Generation,' or whatever, and that would've clearly signaled this was a new franchise that was not part of the old BG franchise.
The irony for me is that had this game not gone the route of using the BG3 title (or in any way being a sequel to the old BG games), I would be quite open to this game and even be interested in playing it. Yes of course I would still have the same criticisms I have of the game right now, but the big difference being that I would not be anywhere near as passionate about it and could dispassionately just accept the game for what it is, namely a new D&D 5e RPG that is not quite to my liking but as a D&D fan I'll go ahead and give it a shot. Something like how I approached SCL, or am currently approaching Solasta and Realms Beyond. But the moment the game took on the BG3 title, along with all the implications of being a sequel to BG1 & 2, my expectations of the game fundamentally and radically changed.
Interesting. I wonder where these high expectations come from?
Usually when I hear there’s a new sequel (or worse a reboot) of a franchise I enjoyed coming out, I assume it will be shite. Hollywood has certainly lived up to my low expectations, although with games it’s a bit more of a mixed bag. Resident Evil 2 remake was pretty good for example.
I’m generally more likely to be hopeful about a new IP though.
In general, it's a mixed bag with me: BG1 over 2; IwD2 over 1; NwN2 over 1; PoE 1 & 2 break even (1 has better story and atmosphere, 2 has better mechanics including esp. multiclassing); DA:O over DA:I. And yes, I also agree that usually I strongly prefer a new IP over a sequel.
But the BG videogame franchise, for me personally, falls into its own completely separate category. Here's something about this whole issue I posted in another forum that may help you understand:
I grew up in an Asian developing country in the '70s and '80s where there was never even a question of owning a computer. I came to the US to go to college as an international student in 1986, and that's when I first began playing computer games, although only on my friends' computers. This was primarily wargames, like Harpoon for example. No cRPGs. On to very many years of grad school thereafter, but still couldn't afford my own computer. Then in 1998, a close grad school friend bought BG as soon as it came out. I house-sat for him and his wife when they went home for the holidays, and I started playing this new game on his computer just out of curiosity. I started playing around 7 pm, and the next time I checked the clock it was 6 am!! I was so hooked, drawn-in and fascinated by this game, and knew I had to have my own copy. So, even though I was still quite poor, and living entirely off of my research assistant stipend, I scrounged every penny until I could afford one of those cheap E-Machines computers and my own copy of BG.
BG was my first cRPG, and the first videogame I ever owned. It is what made me into a hardcore cRPG fan. So the BG franchise just has a very special place in me.
