Which Game Was Better?

Nokkenbuer

I have seen some varying opinions regarding this question and I'm curious about the answers I'll receive now. From your experience, which game do you think was better? Which game had better dialogue, fewer bugs, a more developed or interesting storyline, modability, etc.? We all define what makes a game "better" differently, so if you think you should explain your choice, by all means do so.

CrevsDaak

Up to now, BG:EE is still better. BG2 was already too good, and I don't like the BG2:EE GUI, so BG:EE is better.

Kamigoroshi

This question is probably better asked after both enhanced edition games received their final patch and all planned DLC's rolled out. Otherwise BG:EE wins by default simply due to the fact that BG2:EE is currently plagued by numberless bugs.

But if we're talking strictly about the original, non-EE games, then my vote goes to BG:2.

Nokkenbuer

As for my opinion, I'm not entirely sure yet. I have only played BG:EE one full playthrough and I'm still working on my first playthrough on BGII:EE. However, while I like the character portraits and storyline better in the first game (so far), I must admit the second game is much more expansive. There are more shops, more unique items, and a lot more interesting subquests and characters. One of the things I have enjoyed the most about the second game so far is the dialogue, which is much more entertaining. The comedic relief in the second game is executed perfectly, and conversations overall seem more "real." I really enjoyed the idle dialogue conversations between my party members that occurred. They served little purpose, but they were definitely pleasant surprises.

Additionally, romancing in BGII:EE is (obviously) much more complex and expansive. The in-party dialogue and arguments are interesting and the romance options are much wider than before, when Neera was the only half-romanceable character (and that romance seemed sorely underdeveloped). This, I believe, is one of the bigger differences that separates the sequel from the first: the romancing aspect really comes into play.

Other observations about this game will have to wait for when I play both of them more. I must say, however, that both games were superbly made and I definitely admire the developers for these monumental classics. The amount of easter eggs, hidden gems, and detail applied to these games, where even a single variable can change the entire course of a quest... That's truly amazing. I hope you guys make a Baldur's Gate III (and release a subsequent Enhanced Edition for Steam!), though I have no idea how it would look. If you guys can pull off something amazing as these first two games, not to mention the others like Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights (you guys made those, too, right?), I am fully confident you can make a third installment to this classic series.

Nokkenbuer

Kamigoroshi said:

This question is probably better asked after both enhanced edition games received their final patch and all planned DLC's rolled out. Otherwise BG:EE wins by default simply due to the fact that BG2:EE is currently plagued by numberless bugs.

But if we're talking strictly about the original, non-EE games, then my vote goes to BG:2.

Yeah I agree, but until then I might as well poll everyone on their current favorites.

So far, I'm really liking the second one more, if only because of the dialogue. The first game is much more seamless and debugged, though.

meagloth

mmm. It doesn't make any sense to have this discussion yet, but in general i prefer bg1

Nokkenbuer

meagloth said:

mmm. It doesn't make any sense to have this discussion yet, but in general i prefer bg1

You're right. Like the other poster said, the final patches haven't even been released for the second game. Should I delete this poll?

meagloth

Nokkenbuer said:

meagloth said:

mmm. It doesn't make any sense to have this discussion yet, but in general i prefer bg1

You're right. Like the other poster said, the final patches haven't even been released for the second game. Should I delete this poll?

Technically, *you* can't. And there's not really any reason to anyway.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Nokkenbuer

meagloth said:

Nokkenbuer said:

meagloth said:

mmm. It doesn't make any sense to have this discussion yet, but in general i prefer bg1

Technically, *you* can't. And there's not really any reason to anyway.

Well, I know that. But I could request a deletion from a moderator. Oh well, no biggie.

jackjack

I'm basing my vote on after they're both patched.

Demonoid_Limewire

That. But i still prefer the originals over them... For some reason, they neither convinced me, nor converted me.

element

bg1ee for me was a marked improvement over bg1on basically every respect

bg2ee just feels like bg2 with a ui I like less and some new content im no too fond off.
I know it may sound petty but I think I like the game less for Hexxats inclusion.

elminster

There are things I still like about BG1, like how entangle was much more useful and didn't affect your party members, Sarevok tended to be a more difficult opponent due to magic resistance (in the original non-totsc), and charm spells lasted much longer (for instance Domination lasted for 12 in-game hours, which is the same as 60 turns). But overall I think BGEE was better. It had the benefit however of there not being as much they could really improve upon with BG2EE (compared to BG2). Other than redoing ToB hehe (which was off the table).

SharGuidesMyHand

I voted for BG:EE, mainly because I've always felt that BG1 was a fundamentally better game than BG2, but was technically inferior. Thanks to EE, the technical aspects of both games are now more comparable, so BG1's fundamental qualities are now more appreciable.

GKL206

SharGuidesMyHand said:

I voted for BG:EE, mainly because I've always felt that BG1 was a fundamentally better game than BG2, but was technically inferior. Thanks to EE, the technical aspects of both games are now more comparable, so BG1's fundamental qualities are now more appreciable.

That's my opinion too. BG1 is a better balanced game and better structured one but that was somewhat disguised by the visual and other improvements BG2 had. 1 is also a much more consistent world, a Tolkeinesque, psuedo-mediaeval world, whereas 2 has too many Sci Fi elements for my taste - the Planar Sphere in particular sticks out. I also love the open world aspect of BG1 - a phrase which many games boast but I've never felt has been executed as well as BG1. So many games boast an "open world" but actually steer you along narrow paths from encounter to encounter: in BG1 you felt genuinely free to wander. BG2 loses that freedom: you go to the Umar Hills to do a quest, do it and come back. And Ankhatla is far too crowded for my taste. I want to be able to finish a quest without getting three more thrown at me. And BG2 is less well balanced with magic becoming over-important IMO.
By bringing both games to the same standard graphically and UI-wise the EE enables a fair comparison between them, where I prefer BG1 in most elements, though characterization is much more in depth in BG2.

Blastback

Baldur's Gate 2 is my favorite game of all time. Honestly it was the first crpg that I ever enjoyed, and really defined what I think an RPG is and should be. I love how non linear the first game is, and how you can just get lost without knowing what to do, but the story and character interaction in 2 make it superior in my book.

Silverstar

BG is massively improved by merely dropping it into the BGII engine and Overhaul's done a lot more than just that. BGII, while certainly also enhanced, isn't nearly as much since it allready did have class kits, better resolution, more core classes, more weapon proficiencies, dual wielding, bigger quiver size etc. etc.

I think BGII is the better game if regular editions are compared. And the sequel being better isn't as common as one might think when it comes to games and movies. If comparing enhanced editions though, BG is better because it simply has more improvements compared to its regular edition than BGII does.

Both games are fantastic though, each lacking things the other has. First game lets you roam freely and explore to your heart's content, second game has better combat and dialogue with companions as well as common riffraff.

CoM_Solaufein

Both. They each have their pluses and few negatives.

lunar

BG1 is a fine game. But BG2 is infinitely better in every respect I can honestly think of. I really don't understand why people say 'bg1 is better', but different tastes and all, I guess. For me, there is just no contest. Nope. None.