If there remained any doubt in gamers' minds, let it now be officially put to rest: the role-playing game (RPG) drought is over. And though we've seen a number of solid RPGs in recent years, none has been quite so impressive as Interplay's Baldur's Gate. This epic title, based on the Forgotten Realms universe from TSR's Dungeons & Dragons, is simply one of the largest, most ambitious, and most enjoyable RPGs ever. But let's be realistic: even the most seasoned fantasy adventurer needs a hint or two from time to time. BradyGames' guide to Baldur's Gate has all the info you need to survive your journey through Faerun. It starts out with a guide to the guide, which explains how the book is set up and which sections reveal lots of information and which ones offer basic advice only. Using this as a reference, you can then rely on the book to pick out just the information you need without spoiling any of the key plot elements in the game. Some of the topics covered include character creation (always one of the best parts of any RPG), spells and spellcasting, basic movement and control in Faerun, and, of course, a complete walkthrough. Unlike other strategy guides, however, this walkthrough is just an example. Since Baldur's Gate is different every time it's played, the experiences of Diana Nightflame (the authors' character) will not be identical to your own. The book closes with a description of each important location in the game, along with a list of things you must do at each (as well as some things you probably should do). Basically, this is the perfect companion guide for anyone journeying through the land of Faerun. --Michael Ryan