| The games are really quite different, once you get beyond the obvious surface similiarities.
BG1 has very superficial party NPCs. Their dialog and their attitudes are what you might expect of pre-teens involved in RPGs. Maps don't autolabel, so a large area with many entrances can be real hassle. You walk over a great deal of empty terrain between major locations; some enjoy that, most don't (which was why Bioware eliminated it from BG2). Levels are low, making battles more realistic--less a matter of "my +5 super slaying thingee vs their Magical Atomic Kill-All spell." Quests are often short, and many are unimaginative FedX types.
BG2 has excellently written party NPCs, with a lot of dialog that brings them to life. One or two will even very occasionally even take control of situations. Maps autolabel. Movement between areas is done automatically. Quests are sometimes very elaborate, and rather sophisticated. Levels of growth are higher, so you have comicbook style magic and weapons being employed: overkill, IMO.
Given the choice, I strongly prefer BG2, but writing matters a great deal to me. And there's much to be said for BG1.
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To the Righteous belong the fruits of violent victory. The rest of us will have to settle for warm friends, warm lovers, and a wink from a quietly supportive universe. |