So I realize this is somewhat artificial, since it cuts off a point where we have like the "old school Bioware" or something and "new Bioware" when plenty of people feel that Bioware now is still making more or less the same kinds of games they did then, and enjoy them, and well of course that's perfectly fine. 

However, for some people, I suppose, at least myself, I don't really care for them too much so I thought why not make a thread about BG and NWN and the like, which represent the things I like about Bioware best more or less. 

So for those that don't know Baldur's Gate 1 was one of Bioware's earliest games released in 1998, it features a setting derived from D&D, specifically the Forgotten Realms settings, and is populated by many famous characters from that setting such as Elminster, Drizzt, and so on and so forth. 

The defining characteristics were isometric party based combat, you had up to 6 party members, including the one you roll in the beginning using a standard character creator, and after that it was basically just your adventure.

Most of the game was fairly non-linear, as you explored caves, fought ogres and goblins, rested at nearby inns and heard the newest gossip, but there was simultaneously a driving narrative theme regarding a dead god of the planes. 

The story-line itself continues into BG2 and Throne of Bhaal, which I also enjoyed however I think BG1 is the game that was my favorite. 

Now, the next big entry in Bioware canon was another game that I considered to be very fun which was Neverwinter Nights. This game updated the D&D rules, being set instead in 3rd edition, and in the town of Neverwinter. Once again, you choose your own character through a character creator, however, instead of having 6 extra companions, you instead are with a single henchmen (expanded to 2 in the expansions), who can be one of a different number of classes such as thief, bard, warrior, etc. 

Similar to BG, the game has a number of side quests and side travails, however, it is also like BG complete with a driving narrative that takes you through separate chapters and also different areas of the game's universe. 

Yeah so basically I don't know what else to say, except that I enjoyed both games, and I used to replay them with some regularity, although not so much in recent times.