Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Ed.

Review by eFreeware

Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition is Beamdog's Android version of the celebrated fantasy role-playing game, priced at $9.99. It bundles the original Shadows of Amn campaign, the Throne of Bhaal expansion and the Black Pits II arena challenges into a single package. The main reason to consider it is simple: this is one of the most respected role-playing games ever made, and the enhanced edition keeps the depth and atmosphere that defined it while adding modern refinements.

The game is built for tablets and not recommended on phones with screens smaller than seven inches. That single line tells you a lot about who this is for. If your main Android device is a tablet, the pitch makes sense; if you were hoping to play on a phone, the developer's own guidance says the experience is not intended for that.

A wizard's dungeon and a bloodline you cannot escape

The premise picks up with your character held captive by the wizard Irenicus, imprisoned and tortured in his stronghold while he tries to take the powers that are your birthright. That opening sets the tone for everything that follows: this is a darker, more personal chapter than the adventure that came before it.

The central question the game poses is whether you can resist the evil in your blood or whether you embrace it and rise as the new Lord of Murder. That choice sits underneath the whole campaign, and it is the kind of premise that gives a long role-playing game its spine.

You can carry a hero over from Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, or begin again with someone new. Either way, the story is framed as a continuation of the Bhaalspawn saga rather than a standalone tale.

What a long campaign actually contains

The original campaign is present in full. The core adventure is Shadows of Amn, faithfully restored, with Throne of Bhaal as the saga's epic conclusion. Between the two, there is a substantial amount of role-playing to work through, and the structure rewards players who like to take their time with a party rather than rush through a short story.

Alongside the campaigns sits The Black Pits II: Gladiators of Thay, an arena mode built around a gauntlet of strategic battles. It is a different rhythm from the main story: instead of exploration and dialogue, you get tactical encounters to solve. For players who enjoy the combat system and want more of it, that mode gives the package a second flavor.

The difficulty options are worth noting because they change who the game is for. Story Mode is included for players who want to focus on the story rather than the combat. At the other end, Legacy of Bhaal is described as a punishing, old-school test of skill for veterans. Having both extremes in one package is a thoughtful touch.

Why the saga keeps pulling people back

The appeal of Baldur's Gate II has always been the combination of choice-driven storytelling and a party you assemble and carry with you. The developer frames this edition as preserving the depth and atmosphere that defined the golden age of computer role-playing games, and that is the promise the package rests on. If you like games where decisions accumulate and the world reacts, this is built for that.

The arena mode adds replay value for players who enjoy tactical challenges, and the two campaigns together represent a long-term commitment rather than a weekend distraction. Carrying a character over from the first enhanced edition gives returning players a sense of continuity, while a fresh protagonist gives newcomers their own entry point.

Three additional companion stories are available as in-app purchases: A Price Paid in Blood, which follows the Blackguard Dorn Il-Khan; A Voice in the Dark, which adds the Thief Hexxat and sends you after lost artifacts; and In Defense of the Wild, which has you stand with Neera the Wild Mage against a school of Red Wizards. These are optional side content.

What it costs and what to expect

The game costs $9.99 up front and contains no ads. In-app purchases are offered, covering three companion stories.

One practical detail worth knowing before you buy: all translations are text only, and voice-overs play in English. The game also carries a Teen content rating, which fits the dark themes of the story.

The developer's most recent update, version 2.7.3.2, addresses two unique Android startup crashes. That is a small but relevant note for anyone worried about getting the game running.

The tablet question, and how it rates

The most important practical consideration is the screen-size guidance. Phones smaller than seven inches are not advised; the game is meant for tablets. That is not a minor footnote; it shapes the entire recommendation. A large display is the intended way to play.

The rating sits at 3.4 from 8,818 ratings, with more than 100,000 installs. That is a middling score for a game with this reputation. I would treat the rating as a signal to check recent reviews rather than a verdict on the game itself.

The game released on December 16, 2014, and has been on the platform for a long time. The combination of a classic, well-regarded design and a mixed Android reception is the tension at the heart of this release.

A deep RPG that asks for the right screen

Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition is a substantial, story-heavy role-playing game with two full campaigns, an arena mode and difficulty settings that stretch from relaxed to punishing. It is priced at $9.99, has no ads, and offers optional companion stories through in-app purchases. The content is not in question; the question is whether your device and your patience match what it asks.

If you own a tablet, enjoy choice-driven fantasy role-playing and want a long campaign to sink into, this is an easy recommendation. The Story Mode option means you do not need to be a veteran of old-school difficulty to see the story through, while Legacy of Bhaal gives experienced players the challenge they want. The included arena mode adds a tactical diversion when you want a break from the main narrative.

If your only Android device is a phone, the developer's own guidance points away from it. For everyone else, this is a chance to play a landmark role-playing game on a big screen, with the expansions and extras already included.

What's new in version 2.7.3.2

2.7.3.2 - Fix for 2 unique Android startup crashes.