Icewind Dale Series
Black Isle Studios' Combat-Focused D&D and Jeremy Soule's Symphonic Masterpiece
Developed in 2000 by Black Isle Studios on BioWare's Infinity Engine, Icewind Dale emphasized tactical dungeon warfare across the frozen northern wastes of the Forgotten Realms, set to Jeremy Soule's BAFTA-caliber orchestral score.
Custom Six-Player Parties and Tactical Dungeon Combat
While Baldur's Gate emphasized scripted NPC companions, Icewind Dale empowered players to handcraft their entire six-member party from scratch. Set amidst the sub-zero blizzards of the Ten Towns and the Spine of the World popularized by author R.A. Salvatore, the campaign prioritized grueling tactical real-time-with-pause encounters against hordes of orcs, trolls, and frost giants.
Jeremy Soule's Score and Icewind Dale II
The game was immortalized by Jeremy Soule's breathtaking musical score, capturing the sublime beauty and tragic desolation of Kuldahar's colossal Great Oak. In 2002, Icewind Dale II served as the final title developed internally on the classic Infinity Engine, pioneering the adaptation of Third Edition Dungeons & Dragons rules to isometric computer gaming.