Aye, I think you're imagining things. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
I'm currently on my third time through BG1, second with ToTSC installed and it definitely feels alot more extended in nature than my only one time through BG2, though admittedly that was without the Powergameyness of the ToB.
I also remember not enjoying Bg2 as much as the original due to its imposition of particular players upon the player from the start. It also felt more linear without as many areas to explore so openly from the beginning.
Also, having killed Minsc my first time around in Bg1 and to see him rise again in the second and almost feel compelled to need him in the party early on didn't help.
But then again, maybe my memories of Bg2 are tainted and that I'm really imagining things.
Its all a matter of opinion really. I preferred the genuine struggle from the early meek levels of 1-10 in the original, rather than the ego-maniacal heights that Bg2 reached. Though I shall be returning to that game in the future to at least experience ToB.
But to be honest, a game of 6 cds cannot by any form of logic be considered short.
Well...maybe if 50 years into the future and RPGs become so virtual in terms of their reality, to the point that you can almost live in them for years, then maybe....