BG1 or BG 2:SoA

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I'm a begining player and I'd like to know which to start with. the obvious choice is number 1 but I read the book and thus know the plot : (

 

Well, it's really up to you. Some would say that BG1 is was just a prelude to BG2. Hardly so, in my opinion. BG1 is a great game on it's own and BG2 improves many things.

For the most part what you do in BG1 dosen't affect much in the sequel. I myself kinda had BG1 thrown in my lap, and I didn't stop playing till I got BG2.

Playing BG1 will let you get a good grasp of the Infinity engine and the D&D rules as well. From my experience with loaning BG2 to my friends as compared to BG1, the environment in BG1 is a much more friendly, and welcoming to the player, and the plot is easier to follow along with.

BG2 could also be a little overwhelming for a novice player. If you plan on getting both anyway, I suggest BG1. BG2 is such a great game that you might not even look back at BG1 and miss a whole lotta fun.

Hope this helps, and good luck on your journeys!

 

play bg1 first. thats about all the help your gonna get from me

 

hmm I'v already played D&D but I'm not very good with computer games so maybe I should go with BG1. on the other hand I'm probably only going to get 1 and BG2 seems a lot bigger.

 

I would reccomend BG1/TOTSC then BG2 and maybe loading ToB along with BG2. I feel that you should develope your character from the beginning. However, after you've gone thru a couple of times, have fun with other types of characters.

 

Skipping BG1 is not a very wise choice, and sorry, I do not have a good reason saying so other than my great love for it´s music, the atmosphere and it´s storyline.

 

It's worth playing through BG1 first because...

(a)There are a lot of 'in jokes' in BG2 which only BG1 players will 'get'

(b) You can transfer your BG1 character across to BG2, which usually means he'll be more powerful than a freshly made PC (although he'll miss out on the kits etc. ahem..)Plus you'll 'relate' to him more having played him through one game already

(c) Playing through BG2 and being constantly reminded of how you slew Sarevk when in fact you never did is a little odd.

(d) BG2 starts off much tougher than BG1, and has a steeper learning curve.

(e) You'll be amazed at ho creatures you had problems with fighting in BG1 become cannon fodder to your 18th level fighter in BG1.

(f) You'll actually witness the events which shape the second game (Gorion's death etc.)

I could go on, but you know it makes sense (even though I guess BG1 is the inferior game)

 

First of all, you do not miss any of the kits. If you import a BG1 character to BG2, you get to choose a kit if you wish.

I think that the games are equally good, though BG2 has admittedly better graphics.
What I like about BG1 is the possibilities of exlporation/aimless wandering, the atmosphere and the plot (better and more compelling than that of BG2, and I don't think having read the book destroys it, since I've heard that said book deviates from the original plot quite badly).

So, reasons to play the first game first would be:
1. It's a great game.
2. You get to enjoy the story from the very beginning.
3. You'll get to experience the freedom of exploring the wilderness and not having a distinct goal... If you wish.
4. You'll grow to love the different NPCs, and possibly hate some of them.
5. You will, when eventually playing BG2, be glad to see that some of them are still around to serve, amuse, annoy, etc...
6. What NamelessOne said.
7. It's a great game.

There are more reasons, but I shall stop here.

[This message has been edited by Namuras (edited December 18, 2001).]

 

Oh, I know. I read the free chapter, and the book almost has nothing at all to do with the game. His character had supposedly been up and down the sword coast before gorion even died. In the game you're a young confused kid who's thrown out on his/her own to fend for yourself. He used the general layout of what happens but twisted and turned it so much that in the end it's nothing more than a piece of crap that scarsley resembles the game at all. I wish a more competent writer had been up to the task.

 

It is unanimous, BG 1!

 

Play both!! If you dont play BG1 then you miss a lot. You dont know who to hate and you dont get most jokes.

Mom won BG1. Im currently playing BG2. Once i got to Spellhold. And then i didnt know what to do. Now started last time with female human Barbarian called Rhynn Ness.(not related to Rhynn Lanthorn or Ness in Scotland)

 

I bought SoA in the shop where I work and I wished I had played BG1 first, but I got it later...
I'm just affraid that I would think: Darn! If I only had that lvl 7 spell...etc..

On the other hand: I like battles in the open, or more open areas, and there SEEM to be more open-air places in BG1, (almost everything is taking place in Athkatla or an other city) so that could only get better, but thats just my humble opinion.
And Taluntain is right about the books: They're crap. I cant say that about the book of BG1, (I didn't read it) but I read SoA and i wish I had spent my time playing the game.

[This message has been edited by Master of Nuhn (edited December 21, 2001).]