Is BG worth it?

[Jess]

I've played through BG2 and ToB plenty of times, but I've never even tried the original. Basically I want to know if it's worth getting the first game, or if I'm going to be disappointed. How different is the older game from the new? I've tried a couple of older RPGs, and a couple of things about them infuriating:
1. Lack of a journal. How on earth do you remember what you're doing?
2. Having to randomly suggest words in conversation, getting stuck, only to find out that you should have mentioned some unlikely (or American) synonym.

I know nothing about how the old game works, and very little about the plot, but when you meet characters in BG2 who were in BG1, it all sounds very interesting But am I going to enjoy it?

[Xandax]

Well, if you liked BG2, then I'd most definately give BG1 a try.

Whether you like it or not, that I'll refrain from trying to answer, but in my view BG1 is ranking at least as high as BG2 on the enjoyment scale
But you might have difficulty in adjusting to the low level of BG1 when comming from BG2+ToB. (unless removing the exp.cap).

[Gunofgod]

[QUOTE=Jess]I've played through BG2 and ToB plenty of times, but I've never even tried the original. Basically I want to know if it's worth getting the first game, or if I'm going to be disappointed. How different is the older game from the new? I've tried a couple of older RPGs, and a couple of things about them infuriating:
1. Lack of a journal. How on earth do you remember what you're doing?
2. Having to randomly suggest words in conversation, getting stuck, only to find out that you should have mentioned some unlikely (or American) synonym.

I know nothing about how the old game works, and very little about the plot, but when you meet characters in BG2 who were in BG1, it all sounds very interesting But am I going to enjoy it?[/QUOTE]

Those 2 infuriating things aren't an issue in BG1

[Masa]

I think it will dissapoint you a bit, coz there are no artifact pieces and not as much artifacts all in all. Then there's those ever annoying kobolds. I too played the sequel before the first one and was a little bit dissapointed of the items and enemies. However the dialogues and the story are definitely BG-class.
For the original question yes it is worth it, it's Baldur's gate after all.

[Jess]

[QUOTE=Xandax]But you might have difficulty in adjusting to the low level of BG1 when comming from BG2+ToB. (unless removing the exp.cap).[/QUOTE]

I remember trying an Icewind Dale demo. Oh, with what confidence I approached those 5 goblins.

[DaemonJ]

I still enjoy playing BG1 and even have a game going on while I am playing my first time through BG2.

In all honesty, I think BG1 is harder than BG2. Since your characters are such a low level and there aren't many high-powered weapons, you actually have to really use your party with a good strategy to avoid being killed.

It really depends upon what you feel is a challenge. Since you can get the entire BG1 saga for about $20 (probably less from ebay) it is definitely worth a shot.

[fable]

I'm not a big fan of BG1, primarily because the quests are simplistic, maps are unlabeled until you stumble across something, and the party NPCs have virtually no dialog. That said, there is a mod, BG1Tutu, that adds higher resolution, new classes, more NPC dialog, labeled maps and more quests. I can't say that I've tried it, however.

[Xandax]

[QUOTE=fable]I'm not a big fan of BG1, primarily because the quests are simplistic, maps are unlabeled until you stumble across something, and the party NPCs have virtually no dialog. That said, there is a mod, BG1Tutu, that adds higher resolution, new classes, more NPC dialog, labeled maps and more quests. I can't say that I've tried it, however.[/QUOTE]

Funny - I like BG1 better, because more exploration is needed (unmarked maps until you uncover it) and in my view the story is better, and because of course - it is the beginning of the "saga"
BG2 was more like - walk out of the starting area and you had 100 quests to do.

But thoese elements are also what turns some off the game. (That and you die really fast in the beginning)

[Ravager]

I think BG1 is more of a tactical challenge than BGII (well, unless you have the BGII Tactics mods installed, of course)which should make it more interesting, you have more limited resources than in BGII where it could feel that you had the supplies to finance and supply a small army.
I prefer the plot and the gameplay elements of BGII though. For the gameplay elements though, I found using BG1Tutu helped, the graphical enhancements, inventory improvements, the ability to use Tab and being able to access your inventory while the game is paused are all handy functions...

[zehir]

bg 1?

I think you miss a one big important thing.
It is true that there are no artifacts, that there are no good spells, and proficiency slots are simple (bastardsword, long sword, two handed sword are all long swords).

But when you are close to the end of the game you will find some books which will affect your stats forever. Better stats!

For someone who played throne of bhaal, I must say that you should fight sarevok in bg1. Irenicus is nothing... (I killed irenicus in the first try, but sarevok made me load 8 times...)

If anyone is willing to play bg1, I must give an advice, every character in your party should have some missile skills, it will become much more easier.

[CFM]

My 2 Cents

Simple Answer:
If you liked either of the Baldur's Gate games, then you're bound to like the other at least a little.

Story:
The entire Baldur's Gate Saga is a three part story (BG1, BG2:SoA, BG2:ToB). If you liked SoA & ToB, then I couldn't imagine you'd think BG1 not being worth at least one playthrough.

Mechanics:
Although BG2 uses a better screen resolution, both BG1 & BG2 use the same engine. Talking, fighting, casting, and otherwise interacting with the gameworld are all accomplished the same way, mechanics-wise.

Tactics:
Tactics are different, for sure. Running mid-level, high-level, & crazy-level characters is very different from running beginning-level characters. A very different mindset, always being on-guard, because you can get smoked by a couple of bandit arrows before you can say "Fireball". This really heightens the tension in BG1, and this is better or worse depending on personal preference.

Artifacts:
In BG1, the first time I came across a simple Long Sword +1, I nearly fell outta my chair with joy. In BG2, I had several "artifacts" collecting dust in my Bag of Holding. It seemed that finding a Long Sword +1 in BG1 was more of a thrill than any Crom Hammer +27 weapon I came across in BG2. All good to be sure, but it just seemed a beginning-level character had a higher appreciation of what the gameworld had to be found.

Exploring:
BG1 has several side areas designed for random exploration, in the form of nameless wilderness areas. At times this makes the gameworld feel like "vast wilderness", or "pointless area crawls", depending on personal preference.

In Conclusion:
Personally, I played BG1 before the perfected BG2. As stated in previous posts, I agree that the characters and quests are much deeper in BG2. Looking back, I think BG1 was about getting Bioware's game engine to work, and BG2 was about driving the engine to the moon and back. But I think there's alot of satisfaction to be had by seeing how it all started, even if you already know how it all ends.

[Jess]

I shall definitely give it a go, I think. The artifacts thing doesn't bother me so much - I always feel kind of sad when I find great weapons that just aren't as good as the stuff I already have. Can never bear to sell them, either What does Tales of the Sword Coast add?

[DaemonJ]

ToTSC adds Werewolf Island and Durlag's Tower. Durlag's is awesome and definitely a challenge.

[QUOTE=Jess]I shall definitely give it a go, I think. The artifacts thing doesn't bother me so much - I always feel kind of sad when I find great weapons that just aren't as good as the stuff I already have. Can never bear to sell them, either What does Tales of the Sword Coast add?[/QUOTE]

[CFM]

[QUOTE=Jess]I shall definitely give it a go, I think. The artifacts thing doesn't bother me so much - I always feel kind of sad when I find great weapons that just aren't as good as the stuff I already have. Can never bear to sell them, either What does Tales of the Sword Coast add?[/QUOTE]
Me too, I keep all my unused magic items & weapons in chests in the Friendly Arm Inn, so I can open them up and say Check it out!

TotSC adds:
- overall enhancements to the game engine
- a higher XP cap, from 89k to 161k
- new spells and items to use
- new areas to adventure in
- a more challenging finale to the main game

Also remember to use the TotSC patch only (the expansion itself already installs the main game patch). And if you buy the "Baldur's Gate: The Original Saga" retail version of the game (which includes the expansion), I don't think you need any patches (it already comes patched).

The expansion adds an area to the main map, Ulgoth's Beard, located northeast of the city of Baldur's Gate. From there, quests will become available which lead to other new areas, including an island and tower, as spoiled in the previous post.

Your dudes can journey to Ulgoth's Beard at any time during the main game. Beware!-the expansion areas are designed for high-level characters (relatively speaking). I personally did the expansion during Chapter 5. All my dudes were well beyond 89k XP, and it didn't break any story momentum.

I think the expansion is cool, especially if you dig BG2. It has a certain feel to it... almost as if Bioware was designing BG2 areas at the same time they were designing the expansion areas to BG1. I don't remember anything in the expansion referencing the main Saga's storyline, but still, a few good adventures to be sure. May the Force be with you in that Tower...

[kmonster]

TotSC adds 3 sidequests which don't add anything to the main story line.
The added area and quest size is about 10 percent of the original game.
You could play the expansion in a few hours if the difficulty wasn't so unfair, you'll spend a long time with save and reload orgies, don't exspect getting a roleplay feeling.
The finale to the main game was easier instead of more challenging for me, I disagree with CFM there.
TotSC also removes a few cripplings put into the original game to make you buy the expansion.

If you get TotSC for free with the game then install it, but I wouldn't spend extra money for it.

[CFM]

[QUOTE=kmonster]The finale to the main game was easier instead of more challenging for me, I disagree with CFM there.[/QUOTE]
Interesting, because I only played BG1 with TotSC installed. The main game's final battle was advertised as being enhanced to be harder. This re-balancing was to account for the extra levels/spells/items provided by the expansion, that you would presumably stroll into the final battle with.

Though I never played BG1 without TotSC installed, I always thought there would be a BIG difference between my dudes, in overall power, if they didn't do the expansion areas. So maybe the main-game's final battle wasn't made harder enough, as appropriate to the increased power your dudes would presumably have from doing the expansion areas, eh?

Although, the only times I had to reload more than once were in the main-game's enhanced final battle, as well as the few infamous spots in (and right after) Durlat's Tower. Too bad Chapter 6 wasn't enhanced too. After making it outta that Tower, 6 was a bit of a laugher. Chapter 6 still had a spooky feel to it, but I never felt threatened at that point of the game.

Anyone know the particulars of the differences between the two versions of the main-game's final battle?

Even with those "infamous" spots, I still loved TotSC. I thought it had great atmosphere, with areas unique from any found in the main-game. imo.

[reecemorris]

hey

[QUOTE=Jess]I've played through BG2 and ToB plenty of times, but I've never even tried the original. Basically I want to know if it's worth getting the first game, or if I'm going to be disappointed. How different is the older game from the new? I've tried a couple of older RPGs, and a couple of things about them infuriating:
1. Lack of a journal. How on earth do you remember what you're doing?
2. Having to randomly suggest words in conversation, getting stuck, only to find out that you should have mentioned some unlikely (or American) synonym.

I know nothing about how the old game works, and very little about the plot, but when you meet characters in BG2 who were in BG1, it all sounds very interesting But am I going to enjoy it?[/QUOTE] you will not be dissapointed jess it is awsome and has no lack of journal and no matter what you choose to say in a covosation you will always be able to get further. whats new in bg 2

[DaemonJ]

The following features have been added or changed in the expansion. These changes would be expected to affect all areas after the expansion is installed.

* There are no additional character classes.
* The scimitar has been added which requires Large Blade proficiency. Druids rejoice.
* Greater than 70 new items.
* There are 17 new monsters although the majority of them use models of monsters that are already in BG.
* 11 new wizard and 6 new priest spells of 4th and 5th level.
* ~100 NPCs, 20-40 of which have major parts. Major NPCs have some spoken lines but none of the new NPCs will be able to join your party.
* Thieves will only be able to backstab if behind the victim. Enemy Thieves will now backstab as well, an ability they lacked in the original game.
* The Stealth mode for Thieves and Rangers (Hide in Shadows and Move Silently) is now sensitive to the amount of illumination on the character. This will prevent backstabbing by Thieves in broad daylight unless the character is in the shadows.
* The "which-way-am-I-facing" code has been changed affecting Thief backstabbing, summoned monsters, random encounters, and other situtations. Summoned creatures now start facing random directions.
* Character toolbars have been revised so most classes have two quick weapon slots. The three that will not are Cleric/Thief, Mage/Thief, Fighter/Mage/Thief.
* The speed of all projectiles (normal and magical) has been doubled.
* Web and Grease spell animations have been changed so they better reflect the area effect of the spells.
* All area effect spells have been altered so they only affect people still within the area of effect (ie. you can now run out of the Fireball blast radius).

In addition, Sarevok was 100% magic resistant in BG, while that was removed in TOTSC.

[JonIrenicus]

I would say if you like the story of bgii, you'll most likey really like the story of bg. They have a lot of interesting people (valo, drizzt, ect...) in it. You get to see what the whole deal was with your half-brother and how strong he was (it's fun to 1v1 him without backstabbing). Mages are a very hard class to play but pay off at higher levels. You get some really powerful items (even more-so then some bgii items). There is a lot of stuff to figure out (Don't use any walkthroughs your first time or you will regret it ). Some actions you do in bg will affect your bgii games. You can import your bg character to bgii and it really adds to the story, at least to me.

I would for sure tutu +tob + totsc it, so you can have everything and is a lot more stable.

Hope you get a copy and enjoy!

[Alcyone]

Give BG1 a try. For one thing, it's not that expensive -- you can get the game and the expansion set packaged on 3 discs (instead of I think 7) for $15or less (I don't know what the price would be where you live, since I glean from your original post that you don't live in the US), but I'd imagine it's pretty much equivalent to that in your respective currency.

1) BG1 gives you a whole new perspective on BG2. You get to play out the early life of your character, and learn the real story.

2) Going from BG1 to BG2 makes all the little changes in BG2's interface seem heaven-sent (i.e. personal journal, map notes, etc.) However, note that BG1 does have a journal.

3) Going from number 2, you can import your character from BG1 to BG2 to BG2: ToSC, meaning you get to shape the growing and maturation of your character from a wimpy little level 1 whelp to a badass level 30-40 (my only character I finished BG2 with was level 34 I believe) demigod.

4) BG1 is less serious than BG2. The crisis in BG1 is not as severe (it couldn't be, with such low-level characters) and as such, there's more room for levity. Talk to all the NPCs. Try charming a black bear and then clicking on it a bunch. Click on party members enough times and they say silly things. There are secret items hidden in some maps (there's a zip file somewhere that is mostly accurate about their locations -- you will need it, they are insanely difficult to find). The character interaction is much sparser than in BG2, but it's still worth it.

Those are just a few reasons. I could go on and on. My point is: yes, go try it, play it over and over, look stuff up about it, get to know it...and to start out, play a lawful good half-elf fighter, or something close to that. Clothies and thieves are...well, if you've ever played D&D and played a spellcaster or a rogue, especially at level 1, you'll know why you're so thankful to be in a party.