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.

[Thorium Dragon]

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...

Mine was a general characterization of the two games based on my overall opinion. I think there are times when BG1 wins out on plot and story, and BG2 wins out on play options (i.e. the evil options are better, marginally).

In BG2 I felt that the overall plot had a grander aire to it. The individual stories and subplots are not unassailable and vary in quality, but I feel they contributed to a larger scheme of things.

Individual examples could be plucked out of both games to support or rebuke any opinion, but those are my feelings on the two games overall.

Personally, I think Planescape:Torment spanks both BG1 and BG2 in the plot and story department.

As far as the banters/character development issue, you don't think that the NPC development was enough. I agree, but compared to BG1- could there be a comparison? The character development in BG1 was virtually non-existant. In BG2 it was at the very least, noticeable.