The thing of it is, the skin has to do with accommodating the style of each game. BG1 is traditional RPG, wilderness, castles, mines, tombs, so it has a classic medieval stony look. Basic swor ds. And sworcery stuff. BG2 had a Byzantine style, artistic, evocative of the ancient middle eastern trading cities such as Constantinople, ornate, delicate, austentacious. Each style makes sense for the setting. Let's also not forget that BG2 had a much larger budget than the first game. This is also evident in the much more detailed locations.
Well, BG2 had good things and bad things in regards to its areas.
1. I like how BG2 had more distinct locations within an area, but I also think it could have used more areas on the map (though its not like the game had few areas). I liked how BG1 had so many wilderness areas, and I missed that feeling in BG2.
2. On the other hand I hated how BG1 had so many areas that had narrow corridors. I didn't get this feeling as much in BG2.
Comments
1. I like how BG2 had more distinct locations within an area, but I also think it could have used more areas on the map (though its not like the game had few areas). I liked how BG1 had so many wilderness areas, and I missed that feeling in BG2.
2. On the other hand I hated how BG1 had so many areas that had narrow corridors. I didn't get this feeling as much in BG2.