I was weirdly looking forward to Icewind Dale during the Baldur's Gate play-through. Perhaps because i imagined it as a more relaxing, Diablo-like game without the focused narrative - you know, something you can play while you listen to a podcast, or while (re)watching some internet video

Two problems: 2nd Edition D&D rules (and perhaps all editions, i'm not the expert) are not really designed for half-brained play - not without Story Mode at least, and even then you might find yourself occasionally hitting a wall. Secondly, they stripped out the advanced party AI from BG 1&2, which obviously means you need to do a lot more micro-management as a player

As a bonus third point, i really underappreciated how much the narrative brings to your motivation as a player. The entire party is created by you, so while you may feel a part ownership of them, they don't have any quests or personality beyond what you imagine yourself - so it feels more like carting a few of your toys on an adventure across your parent's garden

I'm not talking down to that childish sort of play - i did that a lot as a kid, and it's probably a primary driver of writers and game designers and dungeon masters towards creating their worlds - it's just that the companion characters lent a social element to the experience (even if it's simulated) that feels like it's missing here. Perhaps it was a mistake to play it after the Baldur's Gates, or perhaps i really am burning out a bit

You do fly through character levels like, well, a Diablo character, and the game is a lot shorter than either BG game, so at least my whole month wasn't killed again. Here's hoping i can play enough other things so that i'm fresh and ready for Planescape Torment next month