Is BG1+TOTSC worth getting?

cobra mkII · Post by **cobra mkII** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 7:02 am

I have seen this raised on the BG1 board but I would like opinions from those who are playing BG2 after playing #1.

I am impressed with the gameplay/icon use of BG2 (my first RPG D&D game, what a learning curve!)and will soon finish the game with my pure fighter + 5 team members and was wondering about the bleak nights ahead until an expansion or Never WN is released.

In my local comp shop they have BG1+TOTSC together for £14.99. Don't know what that is in $ but its half the price of a full game, so:

1 Is it worth getting or will I feel it is a backward step from a gameplay and interface viewpoint?

2 Would I be better off redoing BG2 instead with different team and maybe dual classing this time?

I enjoy the quest/character ineraction so probably Icewindale with its "Never can move without fighting" scenario is not for me.

Sorry if this is a "not that question again!" query. Ta

Mielikki · Post by **Mielikki** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 7:07 am

personally i enjoyed bg1 a lot. if you are not fully familiar with the story (like when u see sarevok, if ur like who the hell is this) then u dephinitely need to go get bg1

the equipment and spells are phunny compared to bg2 (best 2 handed sword is a +2 lol) but believe me between lvl 1-7 u ll enjoy the game.
in terms of interface and graphics and gameplay, of course there is development in bg2 but still a bg1 is better than a diablo2 graphic engine =]

u can start with a fighter/mage/thief and finish the game with him, then import the bitch to bg2 and keep playing.

for tosc, i did not like it that much, one big ass tower added to game which was ful of traps and nothing else. i enjoyed the travels i HAD to make in bg, and being imprisoned in one tower for weeks was not that much of fun.
but for 14.99 any currency, i say go for it

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~Goddess Of Forests and all Rangers~

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 7:58 am

IMHO BG1+ToSC is a good buy - I enjoyed it immensely, the story - the adventure part of it and the difficulty (there is something about running around with a lvl. 1 party

)

But you might be disappointed because you have played BG2 first - the graphics are not as nice, and BG1 is less action packed (except for ToSC)

But I would say that getting BG1+ToSC is essential if you liked BG2.

Hazim ibn Gorion · Post by **Hazim ibn Gorion** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 8:46 am

I agree with Xandax. When I first played BG1, I was floored by how great it was. I was totally engrossed in it. But, it may be somewhat less impressive if you've already played BG2. Get it if you've got the cash, but understand that it has it's limitations:

*very slow, limited advancement of character
*weak NPC interaction
*lots of time spent walking around ("mowing the lawn," as I call it)--and at a slower rate of movement to boot
*lots of "fetch this for me" quests
*mages and clerics only get one quick weapon slot (which makes it a pain in the ass to switch between range and melee, especially since the single-player interface won't pause on the inventory screen).

On the other hand, who would have though very low level encounters could still require so much strategy (remember the mage outside the Friendly Arm)?

...damn, talking about it has got me all nostalgic. Maybe I'll roll up another game and go after that rat bastard Sarevok again!

sigurd · Post by **sigurd** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 8:55 am

BG2 is much better than BG1 in most ways, but there are more NPC in BG1 and its still a great game. Sometimes playing BG2 one feels too powerful, and you dont get that feeling in BG1 in the same way, even if some spells are way too good like summoning spells.

Another thing is that the character you export to BG2 from BG1 can get up to 7 books of learning, improving every stat 1 point permantly, and wisdom 2 steps.

If i did miss any of them books, cant someone tell?

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 10:18 am

Originally posted by sigurd:
<snip>
If i did miss any of them books, cant someone tell?

There are 3 tomes of Wis in BG1+ToSC.

IIRC then their is another in the Dark Side of the Sword Cost - but I've never played that so I'm not sure.

@Hazim: I felt that "moving the lawn" was great - instead as in BG2 - you can hardly walk 2 steps with out getting 3-4 new quests.

sigurd · Post by **sigurd** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 10:21 am

What is the dark side of sword coast?

3 wis books? one on second floor in the tower, one in that castle you begin the game at and one???where?

Any others stats that are multiple?

Drakron Du´Dark · Post by **Drakron Du´Dark** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 10:41 am

I say, yes.
Its a very good game and you will learn many things about AD&D.
The dark side of sword coast is a fan made ad on by BGTeam.
The 3 book can be found by stealing it from a cleric in the temple of tymora in Baldur´s Gate.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 11:39 am

Originally posted by Drakron Du´Dark:
<snip>
The 3 book can be found by stealing it from a cleric in the temple of tymora in Baldur´s Gate.

IIRC then I didn't steal it. I think it was the one involved in the Gaes-quest - and instead of giving it to the temple of some evil god (can't remember name) - I just asked for the cure first - and then didn't gave it to them (ofcause I had to slaughter them all)

lama · Post by **lama** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 12:02 pm

because my own computer is to slow to run bg2 I still play bg1 a lot (play bg2 in the weekends by my parents). I still anjoy playing bg1 and ToSC. every time I play it (number 13 now) i still find something new.
I really like the story and story related quest in bg1. but as stated before it is no bg2.

we are all doomed
xan

Fof · Post by **Fof** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 2:56 pm

Get the game it's really good and holds up well. While you're at it you should get IWD with the HOW expansion. All these infinity engine games are similar and great fun.

Quitch · Post by **Quitch** » Wed Mar 14, 2001 5:46 pm

I enjoy the quest/character ineraction so probably Icewindale with its "Never can move without fighting" scenario is not for me.

In that case you might find Planescape Torment more enjoyable than going back to Baldur's Gate. The biggest hurdle is getting over how different the setting is

Once you've experience the joy of having your party moving around as if it IS important to get somewhere (i.e. running) it may be hard to come back to BG2, let alone BG1

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Quitch
"Well since you asked, I would like to register a complaint. I want to kill a dragon. Right now. No, don't look. Go kill one now. Go find one and kill it. Right now. That would be SO cool" - Lilarcor

[This message has been edited by Quitch (edited 03-14-2001).]

kopywrite · Post by **kopywrite** » Thu Mar 15, 2001 3:50 am

IMHO BG1 can be a little frustrating after Shadows- for instance characters cant bump one another out of the way so everyone allways seems to be stuck...

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Thu Mar 15, 2001 4:25 am

I must say - that I pretty much have the same problem in BG2 with pathfinding, so I don't think that is a major factor

kopywrite · Post by **kopywrite** » Thu Mar 15, 2001 4:36 am

@ Xandax
agree completely path finding is cruddy in bg1 & 2

but what they managed to improve in shadows was the characters ability to nudge one another out of the way in order to get some where- makes repositioning your flimsy mage away from the 3 angry Githyanki much easier. In bg1 you have to move everyone manually one at a time.Major pain (again IMHO)

[This message has been edited by kopywrite (edited 03-15-2001).]

Pe Ell · Post by **Pe Ell** » Thu Mar 15, 2001 5:55 am

actually, im playing bg1 (and bg2) right now. It is very funny allthought i havent gotten so far.
I am playing on a p166 with 16 m ram so it is on the minimum requirements. the mouse froze after i left candlekeep and I had to restart several times.
The worst thing considered to bg2 is the slow movement. looks like they are stuck in glue.

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Cant we talk about this?

I hardly imagen you can talk without a head, no?

what? what do you me~*slash*~

Told you.

kopywrite · Post by **kopywrite** » Thu Mar 15, 2001 5:59 am

LOL i used to play bg1 on a p166- those loading times are a nightmare.You have my sympathy and respect

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Mar 15, 2001 11:19 am

I wouldn't buy it, no. BG1 was a much more straightforward slugfest with impoverished interactions. Bioware admitted learning a good deal about what the relative sophistication of their audience after Planescape: Torment came out; basically, they combined the NPC style and interactions from P:T with their own elaborate, seemingly non-linear quest system for BG2.

I'd recommend P:T if you like storyline. If you prefer hack 'n slash, try IWD with the HOW expansion.

kopywrite · Post by **kopywrite** » Thu Mar 15, 2001 12:31 pm

For me the most memorable bit of BG1 was the werewolf storyline;it seems to have more in common with BG2 with its frantic plot twists and betrayel round every corner.It really kept you on your toes and stands up well to the test of time (unlike Durlags Tower which is just horrible).

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Thu Mar 15, 2001 11:51 pm

I must say that of TsCO I liked Durlags Tower best.
But nothing in BG1+BG2 could IMHO compare to the joy of getting to "Baldurs Gate" and walking around in that city - much much much ..... much better city than Atkathla.