New to the game: what should I get?

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After searching online, I've found Icewind Dale, Icewind Dale II, Icewind Dale: The Ultimate Collection, Heart of Winter, Trials of the Luremaster, and the Fate of Faerun.

Which of these is the way to go?


Also, what level(s) do you start at? I've played Baldur's Gate I and II, and that's the only game I have to compare this one to.

 

You know, IDW 1 and 2 are not connected like BG. In IWD2 you have to start new characters, they start at lvl 1.
Fate of Faerun IS the ultimate collection, Heart of Winter is the expansion to IWD1, Trials of the Luremaster is the free expansion to Heart of Winter.

So i would suggest You get the Ultimate collection...

 

So, which one is better, IWD I or II? Are they both 2e rules?

 

No, IWD2 is 3rd edition (well sort of, it's somewhat simpler than NWN).

 

Both are pretty straight forward. You dont get to explore the world like you could in BG II:SoA, the story basically holds your hand throughout the adventure.

The Ultimate Collection should have IWD, its expansion HoW (perhaps even TotLM, the expansion to How) and IWDII. While IWD and HoW are definately 2nd ed, TotLM does have 3e influences iirc. IWD II is 3e but without all the confusion of NWN.

You create your entire party, there are no joinable NPCs. And you start at L1. Of course the expansions will recommend that you should be of a higher level before you attempt them (L9 for How and L13 for TotLM).

IWD was more fun with a more compelling storyline imo. IWD II is so much fun starting new charecters, you may not stick around long enough to appreciate the story before starting a new campain.
Soon one begins to hate Targos as much as Chateau Irenicus.

 

Iiiiiinteresting...

I think I'll go with that "Ultimate Collection." And yes, Tal, I'll be getting it through this site.

 

What is Fate of Faerun?

 

There is the excellent Undead Targos mod if you're bored.

IWD is great: a better story than IWD2 and very nice music and graphics (BG1 brought to perfection).

 

Fate of Faerun IS the Ultimate Collection

 

Thanks. I thought it was something I didn't have.

 

I thought the story line was better in IWD than in IWD2. Although, compared to the BG series or PST the plots are a bit thin. I personally like 2e rules over 3e -- just a personal taste there. But then, I liked the 1e rules better than 2e -- rangers really rocked with +1 damage per level versus humanoids and giants....

If the character interaction is more important than combat to you, get Planescape: Torment.

 

I actually liked the IWD II story better than IWD. I thought the first game was really a series of loosely connected dungeon crawls. On the other hand, I felt that each level in IWD II was part of the tactical campaign to counter the Legion of the Chimera. Plus, I thought that the writing was better in the sequel. That being said, I liked the level design in the first one better than in the second.

 

IWD2 is crap as far as the storyline goes... theres no character-npc involement at all. except with the npcs you dont make, and those are pretty minimal.

For those that have played IWD2 over and over like me, Targos is irritatingly dragging... so I made Targos Be Gone... Its actually just a save game, with a starty party of 4 females. heh. All the quests are done for Targos, and all the treasures have either been sold or are stashed in bags of holding. The charas are outside the pallisades wall waiting to continue the game...

The "mod" is somewhere in the IWD2 section on this site.

There are parts of IWD2 that take story lines from the first game... like the auril priestesses in the ice temple, they refer to someone who was in the first game that adventurers from khuldahar killed (the game player), I believe... but you dont import from 1 to 2.

 

I totally disagree. IWD2 had a great story and even greater music. By elminating the Targos piece, you lose one of the greatest musical pieces to ever appear in any game: "Skeleton of a Town".

I thoroughly enjoyed both IWD1 and 2, though I could do without the Ice Castle.

Klorox -- Don't try to compare IWD 1 and 2 with BG1 and 2 -- they're very different. IWD is more of the traditional hack n slash.....but still lots of fun. And I do think the music is far better in both IWD 1 and 2, compared to the BG series.

If you plan on going through the entire series, get the package that gives you the most for your dollar -- but I would definitely start with IWD1. Btw -- Trials of the Luremaster has one of THE BEST endgame battles there is. Tons of fun.

[ September 09, 2005, 20:54: Message edited by: Spellbound ]

 

Have to admit that the game that impressed me the most with music was BG1, i guess i got a tad to anoyed that all the others randomlly played music every now and then. and most of the time was quiet. never really listened specifically to the music, i only noted how much it fit the mood or not.