I would like to see the persimmon tree.

The third BG is more like a spin-off of Original Sin, only with Jaheira and Minsc.

Well, it's still a game set in the Forgotten Realms... but it's clearly not BG, and many of the old characters seem to have been misunderstood by Larian. Sarevok was ruined. Vikonie was ruined. Edwin was almost ruined, but they realized it in time, changed his name, and pretended it wasn't their attempt to make Edwin. A number of plot points directly contradict what was established in the old games. And on top of that, there are all sorts of Bodhi the smoker types, in the form of Orin. They would have been better off developing their own franchise based on the setting, rather than pretending it's a sequel.

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Well, Karlach and Shadowheart are also pretty good, but overall, yes, he's the best. I still don't know if I'll choose Astarion or Dark Urge as my main character when I replay it.

Gale is also amusing, although he's a martyr on a galactic scale. However, the same is true for Shadowheart. But Karlach is awesome, yes. I romanced her with my character.