Should I get Baldur's Gate?

ElesarTheStrong · Post by **ElesarTheStrong** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 12:03 pm

I've been thinking. I have played the way through BG2 but I want to know what happened before Jon Irenicus tried to steal you soul. So should I buy BG1 or just ask about what happens? Could anyone answer my question. Thanks in advance

VonDondu · Post by **VonDondu** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 1:12 pm

That's not an easy question to answer, and ultimately, the answer depends on your own preferences.

One of the best things about playing BG1 for the first time was the mystery and suspense. You start the game with a 1st Level character and immediately go on the run while someone sends assassins after you, and it takes a long time to figure out what's going on and who is behind it. Knowing your true heritage (which is obvious from the start in BG2) is only part of it. Depending on how much you already know about the game, most of the mystery could still be intact.

BG2 is a different from BG1 in a lot of respects, and you might consider BG1 to be inferior to BG2. The graphics are a little more primitive, the maps are wide-open instead of straightforward, and there's a lot less dialogue. On the other hand, the action in BG1 is just as exciting as the action in BG2. For example, a wolf in BG1 is just as dangerous (relatively speaking) as a dragon in BG2, so you have to make adjustments for that.

Also, the paper dolls and soundsets are arguably a lot better in BG1. And there's something quite charming about being "the hunted" in BG1 as opposed to being "the hunter" in BG2.

I think that BG1 is definitely worth checking out even if you have played BG2, especially if you have played (or intend to play) Throne of Bhaal. The story comes full circle very nicely, and it would be a shame to miss out on the beginning of the saga. Simply being told the story would not have the same effect as actually playing through the game and feeling the danger, the anger, and all of the other emotions as if everything was actually happening to you. I took the events in BG1 and BG2 very personally, because in a sense, I was there.

Moonbiter · Post by **Moonbiter** » Thu Feb 12, 2004 2:35 pm

BG 1 shouldn't be missed. IMHO you should have played it first, but the quests and the general feel of the game is great anyways. You really walk out into the world like a blue-eyed rookie, and the sense of wonderment and anxiety keeps up through the entire game. In some ways I also found it more "alive" than the second installment.

ElesarTheStrong · Post by **ElesarTheStrong** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:47 am

Cheers people. And hey, i just found a new mod that lets you have some old freinds (Yeslick etc.) from BG1 into BG2. It's called 'The Darkest Day'.

Curry · Post by **Curry** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:56 am

Wasnt there some kind of topic where good and bad sides of both games were listed? Anyway I guess everyone agrees that BG1 is better (better soundsets, better paperdolls, better portraits, better plots, better atmosphere, more to explore...)

Luis Antonio · Post by **Luis Antonio** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 8:19 am

BG 1 is Epic.

SoA is funnier.

BG 1 is Poetry.

SoA is the second movie.

DONT MISS BG1. It's the best game I've ever played, made with care. It is a Rembrandt.

ElesarTheStrong · Post by **ElesarTheStrong** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 1:43 pm

But BG2 has big, battles, epic plots, brilliant spells, challenging dungeons, high level quests, great atmosphere, engrossing characters and a romances!

Antharias2k · Post by **Antharias2k** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 1:48 pm

*SLIGHT SPOILER*

hey

in my opinion they are probably equal considering the time that they came out. you should get bg1 even though you have played through the second game already. i am busy with BG1 for the first time and i will probably post a few new threads. From what i have seen, the first one gives you a better insight as to what happens in the second one. you will notice it once you have played the first one (you must, please) that a lot of the second story falls into place and they all make a lot more sense. perhaps some people will agree with me just to back me up.

Idioteque · Post by **Idioteque** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 10:17 pm

Originally posted by Curry
Anyway I guess everyone agrees that BG1 is better (better soundsets, better paperdolls, better portraits, better plots, better atmosphere, more to explore...)

No, not everyone thinks its better. I've passed both and I think BG2 is way better. I also prefer playing BG1 with BG2 rules using BG TuTu

ElesarTheStrong · Post by **ElesarTheStrong** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 9:43 am

So Antharias2K you can actually answer Yoshimo's "How did you get into adventuring?" question when you play BG1.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 7:26 pm

Originally posted by Curry
Wasnt there some kind of topic where good and bad sides of both games were listed? Anyway I guess everyone agrees that BG1 is better (better soundsets, better paperdolls, better portraits, better plots, better atmosphere, more to explore...)

General consensus actually runs the other way, though each game has its adherents. People who want to avoid "magical overdose" prefer BG1, as do people who prefer simpler, more straightforward plotting. Melee and ranged types are a bit stronger, comparatively speaking, in BG1.

On the other hand, BG2 has more complex NPCs, far more character interactions, more elaborate plotting, a much larger world, less FedX quests, and automatic map labelling. Spellcasters are stronger, in BG2.

Factually speaking, BG2 has a lot more areas to explore. It has also has more atmosphere, since the design team worked on many new tile sets, sound effects, and special effects.

There are many other possible factors to consider, but these are the basics. Personally, I enjoyed BG1, but BG2 was deliberately designed to appeal to a higher age group with more sophisticated gaming tastes. The design team said they were influenced by PS:T as they went into development, and I think that shows. Whether you like the results or not, is up to you.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 8:59 pm

I enjoyed BG1 a lot, and I have played it twice, the second time because a friend gave me its expansion, Tales of the Sword Coast (TOSC)

I have forgotten the number of times I have played SoA... And thanks to the many mods out there, and the NPCs I choose, each time it is somewhat different.

I largely agree with Fable; the game is far more complex in terms of story, character development, interactions and atmosphere. I think that the group interactions are a significant part of what make this such a great game, and they also make the game more realistic from a roleplaying perspective. One would assume that if a group of individuals are trudging about together for an extended period that friendships, animosities and romances are likely to develop

BG1's relative lack of dialogue and group interaction make it a far less interesting game...

But yes, it *is* worth picking up, because it gives you a sense of completion. Also, as people have said, there is something quite rewarding about being scared of a wolf

. You might even want to consider creating a character in BG1/TOSC, and then exporting them into SoA/ToB. This will truly give you a sense of the journey that your PC has made.

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 9:10 pm

Plus, the BG1 expansion, Tales of the Sword Coast has a certain tower contained within that is the best locale to explore in either game.

Coot · Post by **Coot** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:12 am

Most of the time, I play my way from BG1 through ToB, because it's essentialy one big story. There's a real sense of commitment and involvement, developing your pc from lvl 1, travelling with, or through, your pc from Candlekeep until you reach your final destination.
There's also a real sense of satisfaction when you get ready for that final fight in ToB.
I'd say, get BG1 with the expansion TotSC (after all this time it won't be very expensive anymore) and play the whole game. You won't be disappointed.

ElesarTheStrong · Post by **ElesarTheStrong** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 11:04 am

Thanks guys!
I've taken your advice and bought BG1 and ToTSC for £8.40 off of Ebay.

Curry · Post by **Curry** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 12:18 pm

In my opinion one of the biggest differences between BG1 and 2 is the start. In Bg1 it's easy to start a new game and get going but in BG2 starting a new game is pain; that annoying dungeon plus when you get out of it you got high level chars with **** equipment, you have no clue what you are supposed to do and there are very few NPCs around.

Coot · Post by **Coot** » Wed Feb 25, 2004 1:23 pm

Happy gaming!

SwordfortheLord · Post by **SwordfortheLord** » Fri Feb 27, 2004 2:22 pm

The saga is best when you play it in full. I enjoy playing from BG1 through ToSC, then BG2:SoA and finally ToB. Talk about getting involved in your character! It's like watching LOTR all the way through, extended versions.

IMHO, I play the game solo, all the way through. It's very tough, and usually you have to have played through a few times to know whats coming, but it's very fulfilling, knowing you beat everything by yourself, truely becoming the greatest.

Antharias2k · Post by **Antharias2k** » Sat Feb 28, 2004 5:15 pm

No, I cannot yet. I usually just pick a choice which will get me the gold and get him, only to remove him in about 5 seconds because he is of no use to me.

*SPOILER*

He leaves you before you fight the final battle in BG2. Therefore he is of no use to me at all because I am a thief as it is.

Antharias2k