I have played BG2 through a few times and was wondering if it would be worth getting BG1? I need a break from BG2, and my sister is playing BG1 and loves it, but I was thinking it might be too big a step backward, it looks a little dated. Whaddyareckon?????

I absolutely loved and was hooked on the original, and I started playing it this past spring. The graphics might be a bit on the rougher side (compared the the sequel), but the storyline and quests just kick.

My $.02

The first one was a lot of fun. It also lets you see the background story to what happens in BG2. Plus there all the original characters, there not as interactive as in BG2, but still fun. Also starting at first level is alot diffrent then starting at 8th.

Merlin, dont you think this post belongs in the BG1-forum?!

see ya!

you should have definitely posted this in the BG1 forum...


but, in very few words: YES. if you love BG2, i cannot see how you wouldn't love BG1.

bg1 is great, just get yourself the rules fix. i soloed in that game, as a paladin, and i got him to level 23 or some crap. he can go to level fifty, so i might take him through again. very fun game. not exactly bg2, but still worth it. that is the game that got me started on this crack i call Baldurs Gate.

*sigh* what does it matter if he posts the question here, people?? :rolleyes:
Maybe he wants the opinions of people who play BG2? Don't be so nitpicky, it isn't really a problem to answer his question here, is it? The forum distinction is much more important if someone were to post a BG2 spoiler in the BG1 forum, but this isn't such a big deal!

As for your original question, Merlin: I'd say definitely go ahead and try it! Just don't expect it to be like BG2, it's actually the differences that make it fun. [img]smile.gif[/img]
In BG2 and especially in TOB, you are very powerful, but in BG1, ifd you play as a mage, you can start with only FOUR hitpoints!! :D :D
It's much easier to get killed, and you really need every scroll of magic missile that you can get. After playing BG2 for a while, this is quite refreshing. The storyline is good, and while there is less NPC interaction and quests, there are more NPCs to choose from, especially if you want an all-evil party. It's also nice to see the background of your BG2 character explained, and to find out how they met Jaheira, Minsc etc.
All in all, I'd definitely recommend it!

I love BG1! It's definetely worth it. I was absolutely hooked on that game, and it tells you a lot about your characters history and how you meet Jaheira, Minsc etc. It also makes you very sad when Khalid dies :( at least it did me. Also, some of the minor quests are just brilliant. Really hilarious too [img]smile.gif[/img] I'd post a few examples here but those would be spoilers :D

Ban Him !!
He posted in what you consider is the wrong forum !!
Stone him to death!!
Crucify Him !!

It is valid here I think as he is asking people who have played BG2 if its worth going back to the original
No use asking BG1 forum people who may not have played BG2 and give him a good answer.


Now to answer.....I like most people played BG1 then BG2
I think it might give you a good insight and understanding into a lot of things BG related perhaps and how it fits in with the storyline of BG2
Sure it is a little dated comapred to BG2 but not that much
I think you will enjoy it lots and it will like fill in the pieces of a jigsaw that is BG [img]smile.gif[/img]

Burn him! He turned me into a newt!
*giggle*

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Melusine:
Burn him! He turned me into a newt!
*giggle*<hr></blockquote>

I got better. :D

I actually did start with BG2 and then bought BG1 to see what its like. From that I'd say yes, get it, it really helps fill you in on the character backgrounds and story, and you get the opportunity to take a single character all the way through from the very beginning. I am actually halfway through BG1 now with a new character, and its pretty good. However, there are a few niggles that might annoy you...
The game unpauses on the inventory screen, which means if you stop to swap weapons on find a potion or change weapons you might find yourself unexpectedly dead, or that the battles over and you missed all the fun!
The game does pause on the map screen
There are no bags of holding, scroll cases etc so the inventory soon gets cuttered up.
The screen resolution is stuck at the lowest level.
And worst of all, there are no kits, and no sorceror.

But the quests, characters and story is the equal of BG2, and very absorbing.

I would definitly reccomend it, and besides you can get it for under a tenner these days, which is excellent value for months of addictive gameplay.

Go for it!!!

Think we should start a campaign to get black isle/bioware to update it to the BG2 engine, anyone else in?

If you buy the TOTSC expansion and download the Dark Side Of the Sword Coast from TeamBG, that solves some of the inventory problems as I believe they included a bag of holding. (I Dl'ed it, but didn't play far into it yet)

I don't really miss the kits in BG1 - it's the simplicity and the D&D adventure feel that makes it so good to me.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Melusine:
If you buy the TOTSC expansion and download the Dark Side Of the Sword Coast from TeamBG, that solves some of the inventory problems as I believe they included a bag of holding. (I Dl'ed it, but didn't play far into it yet)

I don't really miss the kits in BG1 - it's the simplicity and the D&D adventure feel that makes it so good to me.<hr></blockquote>

Now this is some great news to my ears! It's been about a years since I last played BG1 TOTSC, and recently D/L'ded DSOTSC. Although I still have BG2 TOB and IWD HOW with TOL to complete before I go back to BG1 it is great to know that the DSOTSC has the bag of holding! Only problem is that it will probably be ages before I actually go back to it but I am starting to look forward to it again! [img]smile.gif[/img]

i personaly would never play through BG2 without taking the char through BG1 first, if its impossible ill hack the char into BG1 if i have to. do you have any idea how difficult its gonna be to solo a monk through BG1?

I'm with Melusine. Simplicity is definately a welcome change of pace from Spell Sequencers, Class Bonuses and Mage Battles.
Its one of the reasons why I bought IWD and HOW. BG1 requres a lot of forethought as to what you're gonna do when you get attacked and everything (you HAVE to have backup weapons in your quick weapon slots) and you'll use potions and hoard all the +1 weapons you can find :D

Hail and well met, Merlin!

I think you would enjoy BG1. It does require a lot of planning before battles though.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the equipment. There are some items in BG1 that you don't have in BG2 - however, there is a CHEAT method and/or patch you can use to allow you to keep your BG1 equipment in BG2. I did this because I play a Wizard Slayer (sorry, no offense). I had an Axe from BG1 that had a good chance to cause Miscast Magic on each hit, so I wanted it in BG2.

PLUS, there is an item that requires you to play BG1,BG2, and ToB to gain all the components. You then can create a super-powerful weapon.

************************************************** ********************
Barbarian Magic Missle - Toss a wizard at the biggest monster. Either way, something good is bound to happen.

not only a super weapon (with unlimited ammo) but also super armour. you cant get it by being entirely honest tho, and i, like most people, dumped the item from BG1 since it seems useless at the time.

a hint that wont spoil it, let me think. nope, cant think of one. just keep anythin unusual, just like in BG2 in fact.


as an aside - does anyone know if its possible to play BG1 with the bG2 engine - not the new items/classes/races/kit - tho thatd be nice for roleplaying purposes - but the updated graphics and rules. altho the xp from traps and scrolls would likley spoil the game balance.

and before someone goes on about how much work it would be to create all that art in high res - its just the same art displayed smaller. and the spell effects (esp mirror image) would be worth it.