Liking it better than BG2

[Lymond]

I played IWD several times with several parties and really enjoyed it- the music, the setting, the story. I've seen the posts where people compared it to BG2, but didn't pay attention, as I hadn't played that yet.

Well, I recently finished BG2 and I'm surprised that I'd rather play IWD again. When I first started playing BG2, I thought it had much more replayability- the interaction and quest possibilities really make it so that you don't know what's going to happen next. Now that I'm considering what to play next, though, I don't really feel like going through BG2 again. As part of the story, you're a victim the entire time and as such, you're forced to do all these sub quests. That's not to say I disliked the game- I enjoyed a lot of it- but it's just not something I want to do again.

On the other hand, setting out at the beginning of IWD with a new party, in the snow, not sure how you're going to beat a handful of goblins- that was fun.

Am I the only one? Am I suffering nostalgia from my days in the Dale, or do some people just prefer the more linear, battle oriented play?

Since I am going to play again, I'd like to try some of the mods this time. Which ones are the best/most reliable?

Lymond

[Bozos of Bones]

I've beaten the game 16 times(I shit you not) and I still go back to it... Nuff said.

[Blunderbuss]

I haven't played BGII, but I love IWDII and 1 for that matter. I think I probably prefer them both to BGI. I much prefer to make my own team of characters tan picking tem up as I go along.

[Marty4]

It's nice to see another person of that opinion. I don't know many who agree with you . I think my reason for liking IWD1 and 2 better than the BG series was that you can create your whole party. Sure, you could do that in the BG series, but you miss out on so many subquests and goodies of the game that it gets less questy than IWD. Also, I prefer to fight hoardes of weak-to-strong enemies with perhaps 1 or 2 awesomly powerful leaders than fight a single, nearly unbeatable boss or bosses.

There's my 2 cents.

[Jerry_Seinfeld]

I agree that the IWD series is better than baldurs gate II. I loved the BG games but it just gets to feel to forced is the way I guess you could put it. Always having to be so connected to the story and running around for the plot becomes tedious, and you never get to bash your way through huge dungeons facing tons of enemy's.

[Aragorn1]

I depends what i want.
i like the whole openning up with everything i've got on a huge group of enemies in IWDI I, but i also like the tactical challanges, particularly mages in BG2, its just not quite as good in IWD II, you could bash your way through IWD with the same strategy if you really wanted to, BG 2 forces you to vary your tactics a bit.

[Marty4]

If you are looking for tactical necessity in IWD games, simply up the difficulty to HoF. Dear God, what I've had to come up with to beat the battles!

[pritchke]

Originally posted by Marty4: It's nice to see another person of that opinion. I don't know many who agree with you . I think my reason for liking IWD1 and 2 better than the BG series was that you can create your whole party. Sure, you could do that in the BG series, but you miss out on so many subquests and goodies of the game that it gets less questy than IWD. Also, I prefer to fight hoardes of weak-to-strong enemies with perhaps 1 or 2 awesomly powerful leaders than fight a single, nearly unbeatable boss or bosses. There's my 2 cents.

I agree with you guys as well, I have played IWD, with the expansions and mods, and difficulties about 12 times, and IWDII three times so far. I have played through BGII twice, and BG about 4 times. I don't deny that the BG series is the better game but I believe as Marty4 stated as the reasons I enjoy playing IWD series more add to the fact I like the environments, music, and creatures better in the IWD series. The other factor is druids and bards are much better in IWD and they are diluted in BG. How can a Bard who only knows a single song call himself a bard? If I had to hire a Bard I would find one from the North and not hire some talent less wanna be from Baldur's Gate or Amn.

[ 01-19-2005, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

[Aragorn1]

Originally posted by Marty4: If you are looking for tactical necessity in IWD games, simply up the difficulty to HoF. Dear God, what I've had to come up with to beat the battles!

I am, wail of banshee, 11 horrid wiltings, 6 meteor storms, nothing lasts too long so far, but i'm near the begining. Two sorcerers may have been too much power in one party.

[Kestrel Daystar]

I have played through both games, many times and enjoyed both thoroughly.

The two games, while similar, are very different in their own rights.

I enjoyed IWD2 very much and found it very immersing. Its good just hack and slash some times but it also presents a challenge and a good storyline.

BGII I found very good also. I enjoyed all the different sub-quests and little twists and turns it deals out. It has massive replayability and has a very delicious storyline. The fact that it’s not just hack and slash, and that it presents such things as riddles and choices, both good and evil appeal to me greatly.

Both games have a very good musical score, great voice casting, a luscious storyline and many other good traits that I look for in a game.

Overall though I would say that I personally found Baldur's Gate II more enjoyable and more replayable (especially with so many good mods out there). However I do think that Icewind Dale II is a very very good game.

I usually play through BGII then go through IWDII then back to BGII and so on...


--Kestrel--