I can tell you it is close to possible to do BG without having to reload. I soloed through with a mage, and I think I only reloaded a total of three times. I was kinda impressed at that, actually

On the other topic, it's actually harder in BG2, you may start at lvl8, but the enemies are relative, as well. I think the first time I died was just around the corner from where I started
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The meek shall inherit the Earth. But the strong shall reclaim it as their own.