BG1 vs. BG2 Which is better and why?, What do you think? Options

[Baronius]

So which do you like better, Baldur's Gate (with or without TotSC) or Shadows of Amn (ToB)? Tell it here in any size.

[Domi]

In BG2 you have fewer options on how to approach the game, but there is far more characterization and a bit deeper overall plot as you get, in my opinion, a better sense that what you do affects the whole world.

I would respectfully disagree with the plot statement: BG1 plot imo is more logical, cohesive and 'realistic'. While it is based off the 'you are special!' premise, it has the internal consistency (ie Sarevok tries to start the War of Sacrifice and eliminate you on the side, and you slowly get sucked into his schemes). The final discovery that he is your brother adds the dimension to the conflict. Sarevok occupies his position of a villain with diabolic persistency and continously tries to bring upon your demise.

BG2 plot to me seemed like a pile of accidental things. You were doing what with whom? When Irenicus abducted you why? Imoen is a mage now? He went to Spellhold taking Imoen why? You decided to follow why? His agent (Bodhi) made you scour around the countryside collecting money why? Shadow Thieves decided to help you why? Irenicus then taken your soul but did not kill you why? Bodhi did not kill you why? You lost their trace so completely when? Underdark was right next door to the Underwater city why? The Bodhi abducted your love interest insterad of you and told you to bugger off why? Instead of keeping the love interest alive and blackmailing you into leaving them alone she killed him(her) thus precipitating the confrontation for sure? What the hell is Drizzt doing there? What had happened in the Nine Hells? Did you die or did not you die? And I do not even want to start on the Throne of Bhaal.

Sure, BG2 characters had a bit more banter than BG1'ers, and 4 of them even got the romances! BUT imo they dropped all the best characters from BG1 leaving you with the least interesting ones and franckly added rather mixed contingent in BG2. Despite their assurance that they sacrificed 'quantity for quality' it is simply not true - in BG1 the quality between the characters was consistent. In BG2 you had 'Jaheira vs Cernd' issue, where they 'deeply' developped in truth no more than what? Five characters (ie romanceables and Minsc)? So that is rather scewed. Try playing with the parties I play with and you will get a maximum of a couple of banters between the NPCs and maybe one or two talks with the PC from everyone but Anomen. That's not such a significant improvement over BG1.

This post has been edited by Domi: Jun 23 2005, 02:52 PM