I just finished BGEE great game but...
raxtoren
Member Posts: 228
BG2 is way better in story,characters,exploration and graphic.
I remember how many people told me that BG1 was the best one, after playing both I realize that was BS - anyone who actually think BG1 is better than BG2... geez what lala-land do you live in?
While I do realize this game was made in 1998 and for a game to be made in 1998 could still be fun in 2013 means it must have been very good in 1998, it still is nowhere as good as BG2 was.
And also, what about that last boss, weirdest last boss so far.
I rush him and die 4 times in a row, I then pull him into my group at the door, he comes alone and I killed him in 5-10 sec (not even kidding) with magic missiles and big 2h sword hits.
That was... just bizarre. The cutscene was also like, eh okay???????? no epilogue, no text about what happend afterwards, nothing??
BGEE1 today was for me 8.0/10
BG2, as I remember it in the old days, was 10/10.
So bring me BGEE2
I remember how many people told me that BG1 was the best one, after playing both I realize that was BS - anyone who actually think BG1 is better than BG2... geez what lala-land do you live in?
While I do realize this game was made in 1998 and for a game to be made in 1998 could still be fun in 2013 means it must have been very good in 1998, it still is nowhere as good as BG2 was.
And also, what about that last boss, weirdest last boss so far.
I rush him and die 4 times in a row, I then pull him into my group at the door, he comes alone and I killed him in 5-10 sec (not even kidding) with magic missiles and big 2h sword hits.
That was... just bizarre. The cutscene was also like, eh okay???????? no epilogue, no text about what happend afterwards, nothing??
BGEE1 today was for me 8.0/10
BG2, as I remember it in the old days, was 10/10.
So bring me BGEE2
1
Comments
I'd cite the usual stuff like have a great atmosphere, more world to explore, 2nd ed working better at lower levels, etc, but really the main reason I like it a little bit more than 2 (although both are excellent) is that lots of subsequent games have been successful in replicating and capturing the essence of bg2 to a certain extent, but bg1 remains a largely unique experience.
Also, in BG2 it felt like the developers really wanted you to explore a fantasy world- elf forest town, hell, deep caves where drows live, water city, pirate island etc.
I'd still say BG2 is 'better'; I cannot state that because I'm out of opinion with the first one, but Baldur's Gate 2 is simply amazing. I'm aware that the NPC'S of the first installment are nothing right next to the development the characters on the second one have. And it's true. All of my party members really seem to be walking next to me, but not literally only. Their deep gist just makes them all unique, and one actually feels the absence of the other. xD
So, yeah, I'm agree BG2 is a masterpiece; but I can't say anything about the first one, at least not now; I forebode I'm going to still adore BG2 the most right after finishing the first one, but I can't assure anything. xD
By contrast, BG2 is much more careful about making sure every single NPC has something to do and something to say - they actually contribute to the party dynamic rather than just make repetitive one-liners...
Like shawne says, once you get used to companion banter and interactions it's notoriously hard to go back to the quiet BG1 characters.. this is also illustrated by how much the BG1 NPC Project mod lifts BG1.
Having said that I personally also prefer BG2, feeling that the concept that was started in BG1 ended up perfected in the sequel - but these days I really look at the trilogy as one long game.
Say what you will about the NPC's not being as fleshed out in BG1 but time sensitive NPC character interactions were a pain in BG2 (especially in the case of the romances). Particularly given you (for good reasons) had areas of the game where they were restricted from progressing. Also there were way more NPC's in BG1 (especially in the case of evil NPC's) for you to choose from. Party banter was fun in BG2 but its only one part of the game.
BG2 is also a lot more linear and at times restrictive storyline. Like how it forces you to go to the slum district and meet Gaelan Bayle upon leaving Waukeen's Promenade for the first time and how thief characters can't side with Bodhi.
Basically It really depends on what you prefer in a game but I don't think one is better than the other.
Can't stress this enough, Baldur's Gate 2 is in my top 5 among games like:
Starcraft
Final Fantasy 7
Halo
Shenmue 2
... and Obviously Baldurs Gate 2.
In Baldur's Gate 2 they have a story tied into your character and family (Imoen) from the start to the end.
Icewind dale combat
Baldur's gate 1 free roaming
Baldur's gate 2 big city
Oooh we'll call it... Tormented Dale gate!
I actually bought BG 2 first, and was totally confused at the start (as in Imoen walks up to me and I ask 'who are you?'). I felt no attachment to Jaheira or Minsc (believe it or not, I disliked him on first impression!) and felt nothing when Minsc told me his witch had died. I asked on this forum and was recommended to try BG 1 first. I sure am glad I did!
Since BG 2 is better developed and 'better' than BG 1 (especially the Vanilla, where the UI can be frustrating), it just makes sense to play BG 1 first, cos otherwise it's difficult to enjoy BG 1 properly going back to an inferior game where you already know what happens at the end.
And btw, Heindrich1988 , in BG2 you start with amnesia, if you want. So everything is explained, in fact your character can be in the story sense be clueless about everything in BG1 which works well for new players.
In that sense you can ignore Jaheria and Minsc without missing out on anything.
But I really can't think of them as very separate. I always start at BG I plan on finishing the character through ToB. I don't always make it, but I always see it as one big story.
However, I have to also think if any irl friends would be able to enjoy it (... Baldur's Gate 1) or not, because of its gameplay and graphic, and Baldur's Gate 2 is a better version on both - it also has, according to me, way better story and npc interaction.
In fact, I would rather suggest games like Dragon Age 1 to anyone intrested in fantasy, with that said, Baldurs Gate 2 had the best fantasy world/story and setting I ever played.
I personally can't wait for its successor (as well as Project Eternity)
NWN2 and KOTOR2 are great games but... they missed something.
Continuing the FF-analogies, someone who first played FFX and XII (or later versions still) might try the fabled VII only to find it weird and lackluster with limited voice acting, blocky graphics and a squat, childlike character running around the world.
Same with Final Fantasy 6,7,8 and 9. The problem with the titles before that, well maybe not Final Fantasy 5, is that they didnt really have an epic story, but more about exploration and dungeon crawling. And BG1 kind of use that formula as well, I mean, the first dungeon is actually a mine, and so is the 2nd dungeon.
Hardly any big variations at all.
Baldur's Gate 2 managed to expand that, in my mind, by using the story and diffrent locations to make it feels less like a dungeon crawler, even if many existed.
I wouldn't play a game for 90 hours I disliked. Now I did co-op with my friends for maybe 10-15, but singelplayer atleast 70. I just want to make it very clear, this thread was never about bashing BG1.
BG1 was an 8/10 in my book, but I wouldnt recommend it to someone new to fantasy, I would suggest dragon age or Baldur's Gate 2.
Bg1 is more ''by the book'', a bit more ''dark''. I largely prefer bg1 because of the rarity of the magical item, if you have a splintmail+1 and a bastard sword+1 in bg1, you are a bad ass. In bg2, weapons +6 are everywhere and magical items have often 4-6 property what is a bit too much if you ask me.
Bg2 is about loots and stuff
Bg1 is about character
I prefer bg1.