Baldurs Gate II for me as it was the first one I played, even though I finished BG 1 first. I'm sure if i'd played BG 1 first it would be the other way around.
I do feel like there is a lot going on in her BG 2 portrait though.
BG2 Imoen portrait screams, "All my hope and joy in life are gone forever. I'll just stand here and try and pretend to look interested."
Well, that is the character she became in BG2. For that character, the updated portrait fits.
Personally, I like the BG1 character better. And I feel more of an affinity with the BG1 portrait. It does look a little old for her, though. The BG1 Jaheira portrait feels like a better match for BG1 Imoen.
I don't think BG1 is altogether fitting for her. But I think the BG2 portrait makes her look sad and kind of like some sort of hopeless character. Then again, she DOES go from being a cheery, lovable little girl to emo kid, so I guess it's fitting.
I don't like what they did with Imoen in BG2 in general; other than the whole "she's a Bhaalspawn too" bombshell. That was literally probably the only thing I liked.
I prefer the BG1 portrait. Partially because the art direction is superior, partially because she looks cheerful and naive(that sounds wrong) rather than indifferent or even depressed. Also I really found Imoen annoying in BG2 which might affect my preference for the BG1 portrait.
While I almost never use Imoen, I prefer the 2nd portrait by far. The first portrait makes her appear to be some princess that has never seen a single round of combat, let alone spent time in it. The second one clearly displays that she's been in fights, and with her history, you know that's a fact.
I do prefer the 2nd, but looking at them now, dont they kinda tell a story? The BG1 was the Imoen who was fresh from the security and safety of the home she's known all her life. The 2nd is the Imoen from the hardening experiences of torture, murder and adventure.
I do prefer the 2nd, but looking at them now, dont they kinda tell a story? The BG1 was the Imoen who was fresh from the security and safety of the home she's known all her life. The 2nd is the Imoen from the hardening experiences of torture, murder and adventure.
That's an excellent and realistic way of looking at them, and your perspective is probably more fact than mere opinion.
I like both portraits, but what I like even more is how her BG2 portraits suits her changing between the two games. I so wish the same had been achieved with Jaheira's BG2 portrait. In BG2 Imoen still has that interest towards world even if her joyfulness and mischievousness is much toned down. At the same time her eyes hold the haunting of suffering.
(And she's certainly not fat... the preference is regarding wider/narrower facial structure and more/less pronounced cheek bones, not fat/skinny O.o)
I so wish the same had been achieved with Jaheira's BG2 portrait.
Oh? I always thought Jaheria's change in portrait (apart from her eye colour) was she went from being more stern in BG1 to being actively guarded/ wounded in BG2. Kinda like the life has been drained from her.
The Baldur's Gate 1 portraits are way more nostalgic for me than number 2's portraits ... but I prefer the 'overall' art style and consistency of the latter, they make a better 'set' plus everyone looks pretty, which is a bonus in my books.
Gone for BG2... But it is very depressing. With a face like that we can deduce that her cat has just died, the painters are in and she has no chocolate...
I think all the bg1 npc pics are ugly. Too much makeup is evident. Gee, I'm in a hole killing kobolds, I think I'll wear my purple eye make up. They all look more appropriate to adventure in the bg2 portraits. Also imoen from bg 2 looks like she might have been chipper and cheerful. Bg1 imoen looks like they were targeting an older audience whom they wanted to get excited. It seems to have worked too.
I think all the bg1 npc pics are ugly. Too much makeup is evident. Gee, I'm in a hole killing kobolds, I think I'll wear my purple eye make up. They all look more appropriate to adventure in the bg2 portraits. Also imoen from bg 2 looks like she might have been chipper and cheerful. Bg1 imoen looks like they were targeting an older audience whom they wanted to get excited. It seems to have worked too.
Look you, sir! Leave my unnatural lusts for my half-sister out of this!
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I do feel like there is a lot going on in her BG 2 portrait though.
Personally, I like the BG1 character better. And I feel more of an affinity with the BG1 portrait. It does look a little old for her, though. The BG1 Jaheira portrait feels like a better match for BG1 Imoen.
I don't like what they did with Imoen in BG2 in general; other than the whole "she's a Bhaalspawn too" bombshell. That was literally probably the only thing I liked.
But I really can't imagine a fat ballspawn.
EDIT: also, BG2 Imoen is emo.
(And she's certainly not fat... the preference is regarding wider/narrower facial structure and more/less pronounced cheek bones, not fat/skinny O.o)
...does not compute. Same goes for the pink hair. I mean what were they thinking?!
@Schneidend There is a mod out there called Imeon Romance... Never played it... But if you got that lust... well...