POLL: Judging a book by its cover (poll)

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Though it's probably been done before, I want to know what people's thoughts are on the portraits of the NPCs who span both games. Which one looks better? Which one looks best?

Poll Information
This poll contains 6 question(s). 39 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: Judging a book by its cover (poll) (39 votes.)

Imoen's better portrait (Choose 1)
* BG1 - 38% (15)
* BG2 - 56% (22)
* Both/neither - 5% (2)

Jaheira's better portrait (Choose 1)
* BG1 - 56% (22)
* BG2 - 36% (14)
* Both/neither - 8% (3)

Minsc's better portrait (Choose 1)
* BG1 - 18% (7)
* BG2 - 54% (21)
* Both/neither - 28% (11)

Edwin's better portrait (Choose 1)
* BG1 - 67% (26)
* BG2 - 26% (10)
* Both/neither - 8% (3)

Viconia's better portrait (Choose 1)
* BG1 - 3% (1)
* BG2 - 87% (34)
* Both/neither - 10% (4)

Who looks the absolute best? (Choose 1)
* BG1 Imoen - 5% (2)
* BG2 Imoen - 5% (2)
* BG1 Jaheira - 8% (3)
* BG2 Jaheira - 3% (1)
* BG1 Minsc - 0% (0)
* BG2 Minsc - 5% (2)
* BG1 Edwin - 5% (2)
* BG2 Edwin - 5% (2)
* BG1 Viconia - 0% (0)
* BG2 Viconia - 56% (22)
* I'm blind / Don't make me choose! - 8% (3)

 

Well I liked BGI Jaheria a lot but for my PC I use BG1 Edwin more often than any other portrait. Actually I just downloaded the IWDII portrait pack and I LOVE them especially for evil characters.

 

While Jaheira's BG1 portrait is both sassy and sexy, she hardly looks elven. Her BG2 portrait is more suitable, though it's so radically different from BG1's depiction she may as well be an entirely different character. Viconia in BG1 looks like one of the homeliest drow you'll ever meet. In BG2, Viconia is vastly improved in the sexy department though her skin tone is too light--she looks more half-drow than anything. The modest improvement in Edwin's BG2 portrait over BG1 is nullified by his silly facial piercings and adornments.

 

Imoen and Vionia are the only two I prefer from BG2 over BG1.

What I hate about the BG2 portraits is how the artist was absolutely obsessed with putting a million little nose rings, ear rings, hair beads, tattoos, scars, (am I leaving anything out?) on people's faces. Know when to just leave a face alone.

Icewind Dale portraits are about a hundred times better than both BG's.

 

Imoen's portrait is far better in BG1. I can't take her seriously in BG2.

I think both of Jaheira's portraits are decent. I have to admit that the BG1 version is better looking, but I do like the BG2 conception more (emphasis on fighter over druid, I guess).

Minsc is Minsc is Minsc, what can I say?

Edwin looks terrible in BG2, whereas I think his was the best male portrait in BG1.

Viconia's is no contest, her portrait was awful in BG1; probably one of the worst in the game. In stark contrast, I think BG2 Viconia has the best looking portrait in the game.

 

I agree about the Icewind Dale portraits; those are all great--quite a contrast to the cartoonishness found in many of the BG portraits. While IWD portraits lack the clarity and facial detail of the BG portraits their grim realism makes them more believable, and I love their style and personality.

 

Amen, brother! I know some of these people are fighter types and probably have scars, but da-YUM! Edwin really bugs me with his piercings, as it seems so unlike a Red Wizard. Tattoos, yes; piercings, no.

Imoen, Jaheira, Edwin and Viconia I prefered their BG portraits. Minsc is the only better portrait in BG2 because I can see Boo more clearly.

 

I can never bring myself to use any of the NPC portraits for my PC because it seems far too confusing.

 

Hehe, that's why I picked that one too; you've got to be looking for Boo to see him in the BG1 port. I think Minsc looks sillier in the BG2 port as well.

Viccy is a no-brainer for me, because she looks pug-ugly in the BG1 port. The BG2 port gives her class and some very good looks.

But everything else is just crap with the new style. Jaheira may look more elven in the BG2 version, but unless I'm mistaken she's half-elven. Hiding her elven ears with her hair makes the BG1 port more appropriate, and I honestly can't think of a sexier NPC port in either game (though the blond elf alternate comes close).

 

I usually use an IWD portrait for my PC. If not one of them, then one of the various pictures that you can download from here. I almost never use one of the provided pictures.

The provided pictures are very limited in terms of their ability to accurately portray the race, class or mindset of most PC's you can create.

 

When I play my best type of character (a F/C/M) I always use Edwin's pic from BG1. He just looks cool. If I'm playing anyone who even has the remotest chance of using a bow, I use Kivan's pic.

I like the maturity in Imoen's BG2 pic, though I preferred her bustiness in BG1

Both Jaheira and Viccy look MUCH sexier in BG2.

On the rare occasions I play a female PC, I use that chick with the sword in the BG2 pics. She makes me feel funny, like when I had to climb the rope in gym class

 

Imoen; Bg2
Jaheira; Bg1
Misnc; BG1
Edwin; BG1
Viconia; they both sucks (portrait or char likewise )
The Best; Well Imoen in this poll, though for my males char I almost always use BG1's Eldoth it's just awsome!

 

BG1 Imoen looks soo old, I can'T see her inner childish spirit. Do you think so or is it just me?

BG2 portrait is nice, it shows her innocence and her troubles in BG2. A little scar is a proof of the dangers of an adventurer life.

BG1 Jaheira looks sooo cute and hot at the same time, BUT she looks like a human druid. BG2 portrait is cooler, and way too different!

BG1 Viconia looks like an ugly freak to me. But BG2 one is absolutely the hottest! What a radical change!

BG1 Garrick's portrait is so cute, naive and very innocent, at the same time! I confess I use his portrait big time for my male caster PCs! Don'T mock me too hard!

Eldoth is cool too! I didn't know he was an evil bastard though.

 

All of the portraits were far better in BG1 with the one and only exception being Viconia. Which isn't so hard, considering how badly drawn she was in BG1.

After really thinking it over (and it was a close match with BG1 Jaheira) I picked Viconia BG2 as the best portrait. It really fits very well with her personality and her voice.

 

I wouldn't say that all the BG1 Portraits were better. A majority of them yes.

But I'm sorry. Imoen's BG1 portrait makes her look like some airheaded pre-teen on a sundae outting trying to pretend she's a big girl. Which has never suited her if you ask me. As someone commented about her inner childish spirit above. This portrait so set that with it's horribleness.

Her BG2 portrait was much better. Gave her a much better feel and fit the character and the game a lot better. Granted I still changed it.


Viccy. you could take a finger painting from your nearest two year old and do better. So clearly her BG2 pic is massively better.

 

Er... I'm definitely not seeing this.

My complaint with the BG2 portraits is that between the pastel colours and extraneous crap in their hair/face, they all look like caricatures. The BG1 portraits at least somewhat resemble normal people.

 

Ah, good, a discussion.

Imoen's BG1 port I always thought represented her physical maturity well, with the bright light of mischief so clearly shining through her eyes. The BG2 port just looks like you're taking your 14-year old kid sister along while you fight liches. She probably got the scar when you found her playing with your sword and she started.

 

Yeah, the pink hair and cape just don't do it for me. She actually looks far younger than she did in BG1. Ah well.

 

Imoen in BG1 looks like a middle aged woman! Seriously she looks WAAAAy better in BGII! She more fits her role as a Mage/Thief as well.

Jaheria looked too much like a MAN in BGI. YES THAT'S RIGHT you heard me. She looks alot more sexy in BGII!

Minsc looked good in BGI but in still, in BGII the graphics do better and make him into a better looking weirdo who likes hamsters!

Viconia looked UGLY in BGI but clearly in BGII the sexyness just went way up. But i agree with Zamiel, her skin does look a little too light for a drow. However, I remember seeing a REALLY good potrait of her that i found from a link here on SP! She had a sorta hat on and her proper white hair and proper skin tone. Does anyone know what I'm talkin about ...

Edwin by far received the best treatment. His BGI portrait was OK, but in BGII he looks great! Very nice evil touch too!

Btw, @ Sir Fink - I think they look better with all their accessories!!!