As a fellow old school gamer I have to say that this game was the absolute best RPG experience created. If I have to have "cred" to have a valid opinion, then my gaming resume certainly gives me more then enough. AD&D since 3rd grade, beat Dragon Warrior 2,3,4 (never finished 1 though), played and beat Ultima 2, 3, and 4. Phantasy Star III and IV. Played tabletop RPG from FASA and TSR and other. ANYWAY Of all the Video Game RPG's, this is clearly the best and ultimate experience. Ultima games are a joke in comparison. Never have any of the RPG's had spontaneous dialogue or character development beyond the main plot. There are so many non-combat or storyline occurances that give BG a step above the rest. BUT to go one steop further, those occurances actually enrich the main plot and story if you let them. You can replay the game with evil, good, or neutral and alter who and what you take with you. Name another that let's you do that, but make you really feel like it was happening. Most other RPG's, no matter how compelling the story, never get the tabletop experience like BG has.