Can someone summarize the differences in graphics between EE and original? (I am not referring to the ability to zoom--I don't consider this much of a perk.) The screenshots I've seen don't make BGEE look much different from what I remember BG+Tutu looking like, but maybe my memory is off.
I think a couple of the games sprites have been changed and kits get unique colours if you want them. They included some changes from 1PP that changes the look of some items. There are also a few spell effects like Stinking Cloud and Cloudkill that were improved upon (disintegrate also looks better though you can't actually get it in BGEE). In terms of most individual sprites and the area backgrounds there isn't much difference.
So to use Stinking Cloud as an example (obviously the resolutions are different in these pictures)
Bg1
BG2 (apparently this is from a pre-release screenshot of BG2 but as far as I recall this is what it looks like in the original bg2).
You also get stuff like the feature that lets your tab key show you which chests/containers are locked
This can also be done in the original games (via Tutu or BGT), so nothing new here.
As for the Yeslick bug, as you say, it was also in the original games. WAS is the operative word, as it is not there anymore
It may still be present in BG:EE, however, as the bug has not been moved in the Fixed section (but I'm not sure as I didn't check myself).
Only minor bugs remain in the modded original games, the kind of bugs you can only find by looking at the files with NearInfinity as they do not really affect gameplay (otherwise they would have been found already in the last 15 years). The EE instead adds a lots of new bugs, like NPCs going through walls or walking on water, quests broken and such, so I would not say that bugwise BG1:EE is in better shape than BG1 (again modded of course).
The screenshots you posted for BG1/BG2 are really ancient. This is a more recent one of BG1Tutu with the Widescreen and Bigger Text mods (edit: and with 1PP):
Edit2: This is a screenshot of BG2 with Widescreen, Bigger Text and 1PP mods:
They are the same, but the EE has shadow renderers (that make Intel chipsets lag, duh) and you can zoom out for a better look. I recommend getting BG:EE and then about BG2:EE... I like vanilla BG2 because of it's UI, but then they are the same once you install the G3 Fixpack, some mods don't work in the EE but the EEs have an amazing number of externalized features (they beat TobEx by far), that also work in Mac, forgot one of the best points!
I tried playing BG1EE, even with the few mods that are updated for it like SCS, Tweaks, ect but it just feels so empty.... One example is when i went to the area were the bandit caravan has the female bandit leader and some bandits guarding it, there was nothing there.... The light house area without Lure of the Sirine's Call mod.... Beregost feels like a ghost town. Not having the BGSpawn mod to make interesting and lots of random encounters. Level 1 NPCS, Secret of Bone Hill, Full Plate and Packing Steel....I can go on and on.
A standard install using BWS adds alot to the game. I use a Tactical install myself, but i've been playing this game since it first came out so it can be a little mod overkill.
I dunno, i want to play the EE's versions. They just FEEL so much better....But without more updated mods or newer ones they're just to empty for a veteran BG player.
It's a good thing to see modders like CoM_Solaufein say he will only work on EE mods...Hopefully more old school modders will do the same.
I prefer the experience of BG:EE; the UI, the graphics and new characters. That said, it isn't a huge upgrade and for some the cost might not be worth it. The difference between BG: EE and BGT isn't a vast one and with so many more mods available for the original, the backlash against them is understandable (even if so many fans acted like spoilt children over it).
If you don't mind the cost and a few bugs here and there, then I strongly recommend the enhanced edition.
In BG2 they change the colours for spell inmunity and the cloack of mirroring or whatever is called (the one that makes you inmune to spell damage). Only for that, it is worth every penny. The old one really hurt in the eyes
Comments
So to use Stinking Cloud as an example (obviously the resolutions are different in these pictures)
Bg1
BG2 (apparently this is from a pre-release screenshot of BG2 but as far as I recall this is what it looks like in the original bg2).
BGEE/BG2EE
As for the Yeslick bug, as you say, it was also in the original games. WAS is the operative word, as it is not there anymore
It may still be present in BG:EE, however, as the bug has not been moved in the Fixed section (but I'm not sure as I didn't check myself).
Only minor bugs remain in the modded original games, the kind of bugs you can only find by looking at the files with NearInfinity as they do not really affect gameplay (otherwise they would have been found already in the last 15 years). The EE instead adds a lots of new bugs, like NPCs going through walls or walking on water, quests broken and such, so I would not say that bugwise BG1:EE is in better shape than BG1 (again modded of course).
The screenshots you posted for BG1/BG2 are really ancient. This is a more recent one of BG1Tutu with the Widescreen and Bigger Text mods (edit: and with 1PP):
Edit2: This is a screenshot of BG2 with Widescreen, Bigger Text and 1PP mods:
Edit: Besides, BG1:EE is still completely missing some of the best movies, like the one with the cow taken by a Wyvern.
I recommend getting BG:EE and then about BG2:EE... I like vanilla BG2 because of it's UI, but then they are the same once you install the G3 Fixpack, some mods don't work in the EE but the EEs have an amazing number of externalized features (they beat TobEx by far), that also work in Mac, forgot one of the best points!
One example is when i went to the area were the bandit caravan has the female bandit leader and some bandits guarding it, there was nothing there....
The light house area without Lure of the Sirine's Call mod....
Beregost feels like a ghost town.
Not having the BGSpawn mod to make interesting and lots of random encounters.
Level 1 NPCS, Secret of Bone Hill, Full Plate and Packing Steel....I can go on and on.
A standard install using BWS adds alot to the game. I use a Tactical install myself, but i've been playing this game since it first came out so it can be a little mod overkill.
I dunno, i want to play the EE's versions. They just FEEL so much better....But without more updated mods or newer ones they're just to empty for a veteran BG player.
It's a good thing to see modders like CoM_Solaufein say he will only work on EE mods...Hopefully more old school modders will do the same.
That's a BG2 Stinking Cloud in BGtutu.
If you don't mind the cost and a few bugs here and there, then I strongly recommend the enhanced edition.
Fixed that for you