Newbie seeking opinions
Newbie seeking opinions
I'm about to get BG II and know nothing but the basics. (I've played the first without the expansion) I'd like opinions-what you think about the game, maybe shed light on the ups and downs? Thanks!
and he who lay with the devil cry:
I am death, a victem of life.
I am cold and oblivious.
Who says ignorance is bliss?
I am the darkness, blinded by light.
I am death, a victem of life.
I am cold and oblivious.
Who says ignorance is bliss?
I am the darkness, blinded by light.
Just look at the number of posts on this forum as compared to the other games (on GB) and you'll know how popular it is.
Ups will be the huge number of hours available to play the game; high level spells and various powerful creatures to battle including dragons, liches and mindflayers. Plenty of loot, eq, and forgeable items.
I'd think the few downs would be the pathfinding, but no doubt you're used to it from BG1; and the need to really learn how to use AND recognise spells. Hacking away mindlessly in BG2 is a waste of time, especially when fighting high level mages with their spell and combat protections. Vanilla BG2 without ToB is still pretty doable without relying too much on spells, but mods make things pretty hard.
Ups will be the huge number of hours available to play the game; high level spells and various powerful creatures to battle including dragons, liches and mindflayers. Plenty of loot, eq, and forgeable items.
I'd think the few downs would be the pathfinding, but no doubt you're used to it from BG1; and the need to really learn how to use AND recognise spells. Hacking away mindlessly in BG2 is a waste of time, especially when fighting high level mages with their spell and combat protections. Vanilla BG2 without ToB is still pretty doable without relying too much on spells, but mods make things pretty hard.
bg2 VS 1
It's been years since I played BG1, but I seem to remember alot of running through the wilderness to find things. I always found it frustrating, and I find navigating through the maps of BG2 much more fun, (if a bit unrealistic).
Keep it mind, though, that is is a sequel... While it can be played without playing BG1 first, BG1 always felt incomplete (because it was). BG2 TOB wraps almost everything up for you.
I'd play it almost unmodded the first time through. The only exceptions are the patches (not really mods, though one is from Balderdash) and a few items from the Ease of Use mod. Potion, Scroll, and Weapon stacking make the game more fun IMO. Just don't install the "No Locks/Traps" portion. It can screw with some missions... Hire on a thief like any "honest" person
Subsuquent trips are alot of fun with some extra NPCs, quests, items, and even entire alternate plots (DARKEST DAY?)
Just my opinion....
It's been years since I played BG1, but I seem to remember alot of running through the wilderness to find things. I always found it frustrating, and I find navigating through the maps of BG2 much more fun, (if a bit unrealistic).
Keep it mind, though, that is is a sequel... While it can be played without playing BG1 first, BG1 always felt incomplete (because it was). BG2 TOB wraps almost everything up for you.
I'd play it almost unmodded the first time through. The only exceptions are the patches (not really mods, though one is from Balderdash) and a few items from the Ease of Use mod. Potion, Scroll, and Weapon stacking make the game more fun IMO. Just don't install the "No Locks/Traps" portion. It can screw with some missions... Hire on a thief like any "honest" person
Subsuquent trips are alot of fun with some extra NPCs, quests, items, and even entire alternate plots (DARKEST DAY?)
Just my opinion....
Well...
Welcome!
Despite it's antiquity, BGII is still a hugely popular game - it's arguably the best single-player RPG ever released, with a good plot and some hugely compelling characters - NPCs that feel surprisingly alive.
Some advice:
1) Do install the Bioware patch
2) Consider installing the Baldurdash fixpack
3) Avoid spoilers! Enjoy the unfolding of the plot...
4) Save lots of discrete steps (every few days of game time). Quick save even more often
5) I think SoA comes with ToB, try to get the full thing.
You can import your BG1 character if you like, or start anew.
The game is doable with any class mix - even solo - but you're probably best starting with a fairly full "Balanced" party - Priest / mage / fighterish type / rogue and any two others. You can do it with other combos, but it's a bit harder. You have a fair degree of flexibility in order, but if you take on a Dragon early in the story, you'll likely lose
There's a good choice of NPCs for your party - five priests, four rogues, five mages, & seven fighter types (fighters, rangers, & a paladin), including single, dual and multiclass options - numbers overlap, there aren't 21 NPCs
Some classes (and many kits) aren't represented - no Monks or Sorcerors, for instance, but you can always make your PC that class.
Good gaming!
Welcome!
Despite it's antiquity, BGII is still a hugely popular game - it's arguably the best single-player RPG ever released, with a good plot and some hugely compelling characters - NPCs that feel surprisingly alive.
Some advice:
1) Do install the Bioware patch
2) Consider installing the Baldurdash fixpack
3) Avoid spoilers! Enjoy the unfolding of the plot...
4) Save lots of discrete steps (every few days of game time). Quick save even more often
5) I think SoA comes with ToB, try to get the full thing.
You can import your BG1 character if you like, or start anew.
The game is doable with any class mix - even solo - but you're probably best starting with a fairly full "Balanced" party - Priest / mage / fighterish type / rogue and any two others. You can do it with other combos, but it's a bit harder. You have a fair degree of flexibility in order, but if you take on a Dragon early in the story, you'll likely lose
There's a good choice of NPCs for your party - five priests, four rogues, five mages, & seven fighter types (fighters, rangers, & a paladin), including single, dual and multiclass options - numbers overlap, there aren't 21 NPCs
Some classes (and many kits) aren't represented - no Monks or Sorcerors, for instance, but you can always make your PC that class.
Good gaming!
I have given up all lesser evils as inadequate to my purpose.
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FireLighter
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Ups:
Kits
Better graphics
More 'Legendary' monsters. (as mentioned above.)
Better items
Better plot IMO
Longer gameplay
Downs:
None I can think of.
Kits
Better graphics
More 'Legendary' monsters. (as mentioned above.)
Better items
Better plot IMO
Longer gameplay
Downs:
None I can think of.
"To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."
-Sun Tzu, the Art of War
-Sun Tzu, the Art of War
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Opalescence
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Baldur's Gate II is widely considered the best RPG of its kind. Ever.
Aside from that, and from what others here have told you, I do have some individual items to add.
The party you can form will converse among itself in very amusing ways. I found this very effective at setting the personalities of the various characters I meet, and often I will pick up characters for no reason other than to see his/her interactions with other characters. Well worth it!
There are so many CHOICES! Some find it overwhelming, but I find it wonderful. And, whatever you do, do NOT believe anybody who tells you that any particular class sucks. They all rock. Just, some don't rock as much as others...
For once in a long time, I feel that the story-line wasn't completely contrieved. It's quite believeable, except for a few select places. And since you've played BG1, you'll be seeing a few familiar faces too ... (and no, I won't ruin it by telling you who).
It's a wonderful experience, one you'll not forget. My suggestion is to get it, and play it.
Aside from that, and from what others here have told you, I do have some individual items to add.
The party you can form will converse among itself in very amusing ways. I found this very effective at setting the personalities of the various characters I meet, and often I will pick up characters for no reason other than to see his/her interactions with other characters. Well worth it!
There are so many CHOICES! Some find it overwhelming, but I find it wonderful. And, whatever you do, do NOT believe anybody who tells you that any particular class sucks. They all rock. Just, some don't rock as much as others...
For once in a long time, I feel that the story-line wasn't completely contrieved. It's quite believeable, except for a few select places. And since you've played BG1, you'll be seeing a few familiar faces too ... (and no, I won't ruin it by telling you who).
It's a wonderful experience, one you'll not forget. My suggestion is to get it, and play it.
"Unlimited technology from all over the universe, and we cruise around in a Ford POS."
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Do you feel the Call?
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Do you feel the Call?
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The-mad-haggis
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Save often try new things
Although you can create a multiplayer game and start off with 6 characters, it's best to play as 1 character the first time round. Try and include all NPCs at some point. Most NPCs have there own subplot which means quests only available to you if a certain person is in your group (even carrying there corpse). Try an NPC see if any quests become available, if you don't like them kick em out and get a new one. Also specific classes have a subplot. Be you fighter paladin or mage etc, you will find that there are things only a certain class will be able to do. Basically you just want to develop your group to your own personal style of playing. Oh and I have to agree that spoilers will ruin the gameplay. Some really good twists and turns in this game.
Although you can create a multiplayer game and start off with 6 characters, it's best to play as 1 character the first time round. Try and include all NPCs at some point. Most NPCs have there own subplot which means quests only available to you if a certain person is in your group (even carrying there corpse). Try an NPC see if any quests become available, if you don't like them kick em out and get a new one. Also specific classes have a subplot. Be you fighter paladin or mage etc, you will find that there are things only a certain class will be able to do. Basically you just want to develop your group to your own personal style of playing. Oh and I have to agree that spoilers will ruin the gameplay. Some really good twists and turns in this game.
I would suggest you buy the expansion as well, as it gives more to the game.'
Make sure you install the lastest BioWare patch, and the Baldurdash Fixpack. Don't bother with any mods the first time through.
Baldur's Gate 2 is one of the best CRPGs ever, hands down. The only other RPG that beats it slightly is Planescape: Torment, another finely crafted CRPG. The many great things about BG2 are: many different and interesting NPCs (with their own opinions and stories), a deep and epic plot, great music, great voice acting, the occasional hilarious dialogue, and much more.
Combat is much more tactical then in BG1, but it is still quite fun.
As others have said, don't seek spoilers; enjoy!
Make sure you install the lastest BioWare patch, and the Baldurdash Fixpack. Don't bother with any mods the first time through.
Baldur's Gate 2 is one of the best CRPGs ever, hands down. The only other RPG that beats it slightly is Planescape: Torment, another finely crafted CRPG. The many great things about BG2 are: many different and interesting NPCs (with their own opinions and stories), a deep and epic plot, great music, great voice acting, the occasional hilarious dialogue, and much more.
Combat is much more tactical then in BG1, but it is still quite fun.
As others have said, don't seek spoilers; enjoy!
If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do.