I prefer BG I and II over any of the IWD.I finished IWD I, but it got real boring for me already in the Wyrm's tooth.I never finished IWD II, because it was too monotonous for me, I finished playing it when I arrived at Kuldahar.
On the other hand, I still play both BG very often, but I never played any IWD again and probably never will.
BG or IWD
BG2 is, in my opinion, the best RPG game ever made. Not the best game, but it truly is the best RPG. For its depth, its complexity, its replayability, its story, its gameplay, its features, its wonderful textures, its engine, its characters, its design, everything! All of these aspects are exploited to their maximum while still not abusing.
It is simply great.
I must say I liked IWD too. But not like BG2.
BG1 is a great game, but I wouldn't compare it to BG2. The latter is real magic (truly!).
After several years, when I think about BG2, I still get some shivers sometimes. No other game is doing that on me.
Except the LOTR movies...
Great stuff.
It is simply great.
I must say I liked IWD too. But not like BG2.
BG1 is a great game, but I wouldn't compare it to BG2. The latter is real magic (truly!).
After several years, when I think about BG2, I still get some shivers sometimes. No other game is doing that on me.
Except the LOTR movies...Great stuff.
I agree whole heartedlyObviously as I loath and detest 3E I haven't tried IWD2, and never will, so I can't comment on that.
My only 3 wishes for BG 1-2 are:
1) Not enough NPCs in BG2 (less than BG1)
2) Not enough character interaction in BG1
3) Both need more randomness to encounters because after playing once you can plan ahead. Enemy spellcasters need more variance in their spell repertoire. You know exactly what creatures are around which corners.
Although I did get a nasty surprise the other day in the sewers where you meet a green slime on almost every visit near the
Spoiler
sea troll
Why that happened I have no clue but needless to say the fight (or lack thereof) was quick.... Great game and I still enjoy reading posts by people here ..."Korax thinks you look very tasty today...
Order of greatness:
BG1
BG2
ToB
IWD
IWD2
NWN
Ok BG1 is the most nostalgic game ever and i wont ever say anything else about the game than that it is the greatest game of all time. I absolutley lovethe main story but what i like the most is the freedom to roam... And how you discover new areas...
BG2 is the second greatest game of all time. Just like BG1 the plot and story is great. The +side is that the NPC are deeper and more interactive in this game, but the game lack of freedom. Sure you can walk around freely in Athkatla and discover some new areas out in amn, but the BG1 style of roaming the world is way way better.
*Bg1 and 2 and tob spoilers*
ToB was far to linear. No freedom at all. And the story didnt feel authentic. In BG1 you was THE child of baal. And you epic brother Sarevok was your evil opponent. - Then in BG2 it turns out that imoen is your sister and also a child of baal. Your a hunted by the great mage Irenicus who has spent some time tracking down one of the few godspawns.
And now in tob - just about every little noobish citizen you meet is a child of baal... huh? Why did not irenicus and bodhi jump them instead? Doesnt make sence. Sure some prphecy told them ti get to saradush... Still... Childs of baal shuold be extremly rare and extremely good.
The game still was better than IWD cuz it rounded up the Bhaalspawn saga.
IWD also was to linear and had no RPGfeel whatsoever. Just a "Make the godlike party and kill"-kinda game.
NWN - I took one look at it. Saw what they had done. lousy 3D grafic. No party... You start as a mushroomfarmer??(or was that some other game?) Nah.. Never even got to do the first quest.
My thoughts
qeed
BG1
BG2
ToB
IWD
IWD2
NWN
Ok BG1 is the most nostalgic game ever and i wont ever say anything else about the game than that it is the greatest game of all time. I absolutley lovethe main story but what i like the most is the freedom to roam... And how you discover new areas...
BG2 is the second greatest game of all time. Just like BG1 the plot and story is great. The +side is that the NPC are deeper and more interactive in this game, but the game lack of freedom. Sure you can walk around freely in Athkatla and discover some new areas out in amn, but the BG1 style of roaming the world is way way better.
*Bg1 and 2 and tob spoilers*
ToB was far to linear. No freedom at all. And the story didnt feel authentic. In BG1 you was THE child of baal. And you epic brother Sarevok was your evil opponent. - Then in BG2 it turns out that imoen is your sister and also a child of baal. Your a hunted by the great mage Irenicus who has spent some time tracking down one of the few godspawns.
And now in tob - just about every little noobish citizen you meet is a child of baal... huh? Why did not irenicus and bodhi jump them instead? Doesnt make sence. Sure some prphecy told them ti get to saradush... Still... Childs of baal shuold be extremly rare and extremely good.
The game still was better than IWD cuz it rounded up the Bhaalspawn saga.
IWD also was to linear and had no RPGfeel whatsoever. Just a "Make the godlike party and kill"-kinda game.
NWN - I took one look at it. Saw what they had done. lousy 3D grafic. No party... You start as a mushroomfarmer??(or was that some other game?) Nah.. Never even got to do the first quest.
My thoughts
qeed
As someone who just recently finished IWD - I have to say it really is not that great as compared to BG2. BG2 - you had to have loved the dialogue and interaction between the NPCs - especially when they did not like each other - it made the adventure (and roleplaying) that much more enjoyable. Yes there were some overpowered items (and those crazy high level skills you get in BG2) which unbalanced the game - but if you decided not to use them - you could still enjoy a balanced game while enjoying the banter with the NPCs.
IWD - was just one big dungeon crawl - as most if not everyone mentioned. A lot more tactics at times when it came to battles - but not much more than in BG2 really ( I just used bows and slings for 90% of the game and defeated mostly all the monsters) - when I was playing it - it became what items will I get next and how much gp can I accumulate now. Now if your gaming is more about hack and slash then IWD offers that in huge amounts - although I have to say most of the battles were not that difficult if you just used hit and run tactics. Also if you enjoy character builds starting from L1 - then IWD is interesting as well to see the character you made progress through out the game. But I have to say for a dungeon crawl game it was entertaining. The overall impression of the game it was okay. Would I play it again - probably not for a long time - the story was too linear and I (and my characters) did not really give a damn about Easthaven or Kudlhur - so it made the gaming experience as compared with BG2 less enjoyable. World saving - really with no real personal motivation is just not that exciting. (All the best fantasy stories for those you that read fantasy novels - have a personal element to the story - it is not just about saving the town/city/the north etc - that has no personal attachment to - and this is what IWD lacked.)
As for IWD 2 - well I haven't started it yet and I am wondering if I should? I have a huge dislike for 3e and their rules. And if it is like IWD - where I am more of a mercenary - then what is the point in finishing the game - when I have accumulated enough gold to buy that castle my character wants.
For me BG2 is the better rpg.
IWD - was just one big dungeon crawl - as most if not everyone mentioned. A lot more tactics at times when it came to battles - but not much more than in BG2 really ( I just used bows and slings for 90% of the game and defeated mostly all the monsters) - when I was playing it - it became what items will I get next and how much gp can I accumulate now. Now if your gaming is more about hack and slash then IWD offers that in huge amounts - although I have to say most of the battles were not that difficult if you just used hit and run tactics. Also if you enjoy character builds starting from L1 - then IWD is interesting as well to see the character you made progress through out the game. But I have to say for a dungeon crawl game it was entertaining. The overall impression of the game it was okay. Would I play it again - probably not for a long time - the story was too linear and I (and my characters) did not really give a damn about Easthaven or Kudlhur - so it made the gaming experience as compared with BG2 less enjoyable. World saving - really with no real personal motivation is just not that exciting. (All the best fantasy stories for those you that read fantasy novels - have a personal element to the story - it is not just about saving the town/city/the north etc - that has no personal attachment to - and this is what IWD lacked.)
As for IWD 2 - well I haven't started it yet and I am wondering if I should? I have a huge dislike for 3e and their rules. And if it is like IWD - where I am more of a mercenary - then what is the point in finishing the game - when I have accumulated enough gold to buy that castle my character wants.
For me BG2 is the better rpg.