Baldur's Gate 1 Introduction
And published by Black Isle Studios.
Both of these names are now legendary in the cRPG genre. Most notably, Black Isle had already developed Fallout 2, and would then go on to develop Icewind Dale, Icewind Dale 2 and Planescape: Torment as well, whereas BioWare would go on to develop Baldur's Gate 2, Neverwinter Nights and KotOR along with Jade Empire, Mass Effect and Dragon Age: Origins. For more information on these games, I kindly refer the reader to my above-linked retrospectives or cRPG History.
The intro and all cutscenes (about 11 mins worth) are presented in prerendered 3D and packaged as compressed FMVs in 16 bit color depth. Despite lacking in fidelity, the animations, atmosphere and cinematics still hold up today.
The heavily-armored Sarevok is shown cornering his prey atop the towering, moonlit Iron Throne headquarters in the city of Baldur's Gate. Lightning flashes in the sky and thunder rumbles in the distance.
I will be the last... and you will go first. (Sarevok declares his intention to be the last Bhaalspawn remaining, the one who will ascend to the Throne of Bhaal).
No! You can't! Sarevok's prey crawls along the ground in sheer terror, begging for his life: There are others! I can show you. Please. Please! (By "others", he means other Bhaalspawn).
Sarevok laughs. Then, with one hand, he breaks the neck of the rival Bhaalspawn and hurls him over the edge, to his death.
The intro does its job.
Next up: Baldur's Gate 1 Setting.
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