It might clarify things a bit if I say I've never played tabletop RPGs.
Legolas Send a noteboard - 03/05/2011 10:21:34 PM
Depending on what you like, anyway. The original BG was very true to that original tabletop RPG feel. It was more open than BGII, you were constantly trying to figure out what exactly was going on (in BGII/ToB, you are as well, but it's more OBVIOUS what was going on), and your characters were usually some what underpowered on gear. You had to succeed based on your MERITS, and you chose what you succeeded in. It was possible to play for days and barely advance the main story line, and it was all fun. There weren't just "side quests" there were "side stories". It was very true to the original concept of "RPG".
Nor do I really feel any desire to (let me tell you, it makes starting BGII, and presumably BG as well, rather confusing for a while, and I'm still not sure what THACO stands for except that lower is better - the manual didn't deign to explain). But I will admit my favourite part of BGII was probably that long section in Athkatla and surroundings where you have dozens of things you can do in whatever order strikes your fancy, and the best quests are the ones that can be done in different ways. So if BG is more like that, that's certainly a good thing, agreed.
ToB is a bit less fun than BGII, largely for the two reasons you cite (overpowered characters and too linear a plot), even if having ultra-powerful characters does have its moments.
There was more STORY to BGII and ToB, I think, but please do NOT think that BG would not be as good just because it was a sequel. It has a very different feel. You're not a Child of Baal. You're an orphaned young adult trying to stay alive, make your way, make some gold, and maybe, just maybe, figure out wtf is going on. If you get around to it, anyway. Or you can make it a priority. It's REALLY up to you.
I might give it a try after all, then... but it'll take me a while still to finish ToB with my main party and to at least do the main things I haven't done yet with the other one in BGII.
And for the love of GOD please don't compare BG to Diablo. The BG franchise is potentially the best RPG series in existence (and is definitely one of the best) Diablo is a repetitive dungeon hack.
I was hardly saying they were comparable games, merely making an observation that held for both (or I thought so, anyway; I rather question lord-of-shadow's statement about Diablo I though
). Diablo II is a fantastic game and I love it, but it certainly is a different genre from BG, so fair enough if you don't like it.
So I gotta know if this is happening to anyone else...
- 30/04/2011 01:22:24 AM
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you must gather your party before venturing forth
- 30/04/2011 10:16:34 AM
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oh god....I hope that narrator makes lots of money. He DESERVES it
- 30/04/2011 10:01:01 PM
535 Views
This behaviour must not continue. Feel the burning stare of my HAMSTER and change your ways!
- 30/04/2011 11:43:38 PM
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the best. Particularly since follow-ups having come CLOSE :rollups:
- 01/05/2011 12:25:01 AM
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To me, yes, but then I'm currently playing it, so not as odd.
- 01/05/2011 12:25:17 AM
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- 01/05/2011 12:25:17 AM
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live by the sword live a good long time!
- 01/05/2011 01:30:21 AM
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I've never played the first one - sounds like there are some good lines there too. *NM*
- 01/05/2011 09:44:48 PM
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...how could you play the follow-ups without playing the first one?
- 02/05/2011 01:18:12 AM
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I never played BG1 and still REALLY enjoyed BG2. The story seemed a clean enough break to "get it."
- 02/05/2011 01:14:23 PM
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Yeah, exactly... I don't really feel the loss.
- 02/05/2011 10:50:04 PM
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to put it simply, you're wrong about the gameplay.
- 03/05/2011 01:42:10 PM
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It might clarify things a bit if I say I've never played tabletop RPGs.
- 03/05/2011 10:21:34 PM
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Baldur's Gate requires level grinding though.
- 03/05/2011 11:47:30 PM
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you don't grind
- 04/05/2011 08:36:12 AM
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Depends on your perspective I guess.
- 04/05/2011 06:49:52 PM
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so does every game, honestly. LIFE is level grinding.
- 04/05/2011 10:15:26 AM
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That's not true, and you know it's not true - you've talked about playing games that don't have it
- 04/05/2011 01:18:51 PM
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No. Specifically, I was commenting on Baldur's Gate compared to Shadows of Amn.
- 04/05/2011 07:04:55 PM
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I wasn't aware you were specifically comaring BG to SoA.
- 04/05/2011 07:43:32 PM
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Ah, sorry then. Yes, it was in reply to the improvements of BG2 to BG1.
- 05/05/2011 12:45:55 AM
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Re: Ah, sorry then. Yes, it was in reply to the improvements of BG2 to BG1.
- 05/05/2011 01:16:04 AM
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Re: Ah, sorry then. Yes, it was in reply to the improvements of BG2 to BG1.
- 05/05/2011 02:41:11 AM
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Re: Ah, sorry then. Yes, it was in reply to the improvements of BG2 to BG1.
- 05/05/2011 03:16:08 AM
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I do have the impression that SoA (and certainly ToB) swings a bit the other way regarding mages.
- 04/05/2011 09:40:12 PM
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Yes. It's not the fault of the games though, they're using D&D rules, so it comes with the territory
- 05/05/2011 12:25:21 AM
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Diablo 1 is vastly superior to Diablo 2. Just saying. *NM*
- 03/05/2011 02:22:44 PM
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*NM*
- 03/05/2011 02:22:44 PM
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As I said I haven't played the former, but I really rather doubt it. *NM*
- 03/05/2011 10:22:07 PM
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*NM*
- 03/05/2011 10:22:07 PM
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Diablo 1 wins in the story and atmosphere department.
- 03/05/2011 10:37:30 PM
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If you thought they both had a terrible gameplay...
- 04/05/2011 09:41:46 PM
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Because they're addicting and I'm exaggerating. I have completed both.
- 04/05/2011 10:04:40 PM
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