Baldur's Gate series -- what should I play/buy?

[xboxist]

There was an era for about 5 years where I didn't have a computer capable of playing any of the good, current games. Now I'm trying to make up for lost time.

I've since then played Fallout 1 and 2, and I have Planescape Torment coming in the mail. My friend has Diablo 2 so I don't need to buy that.

Baldur's Gate is the other main series I want to try. But I have 0% knowledge when it comes to those games. How many games are there exactly? Is there some super mega collection that I can buy for cheap somewhere?

 

[Spydermag68]

Both game BG are good...you can complete BG and then transfer your characters to BG2. One draw back I have with the games is that once you have cleared an area it stays cleared.

 

[Fenixgoon]

BG2 >>>> *, it's seirously better than every RPG out there

BG1, BG1: TOSC, BG2, and BG2:TOB.. get the baldur's gate pack for like $20, has all 4 games

 

[BespinReactorShaft]

IIRC now they're sold in two separate compilations:

- Baldurs Gate 1 with Tales of the Sword Coast expansion
- Baldurs Gate 2 with Throne of Bhaal expansion

 

[Zap Brannigan]

Planescape rocks.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Both are very much worth playing, though I have to disagree with Fenixgoon and say that Fallout 1-2 and Planescape: Torment (if you like story) are better PC RPGs.

To get the full effect of the Baldur's Gate story you should play BG 1 - BG 2 - Throne of Bhaal. Tales of the Sword Coast was more of a side trip than a real part of the story if I recall correctly.

 

[xboxist]

So if I'm understanding this correctly, there are TWO different games in the series (BG1 and BG2), and each has its own expansion game?

So 4 chapters total in the BG series, yes?

And thanks for the comments. Now I just have to find them somewhere. Any online retailers carry these?

 

[DaveSimmons]

GoGamer.com probably, might also check Amazon and Amazon used sellers

 

[tuteja1986]

its too old , i couldn't be bother playing BG2 ! go buy kotor or Never Winter Nights. Same developer and all great game

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

The first Baldurs Gate blows the the 2nd one out of water.

BG is one of the only games I have actually beaten because it had a amazing story.

 

[TheVrolok]

The Baldur's Gate series has ruined my RPG experience because nothing has come close to its quality since.

 

[datalink7]

Planescape: Torment is the best game I've ever played, because of its amazing story. Enjoy it.

Baldurs Gate I & II were also awesome.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: tuteja1986
its too old , i couldn't be bother playing BG2 ! go buy kotor or Never Winter Nights. Same developer and all great game

KOTOR was a lot of fun, but pretty easy and with less thinking / tactics than BG or FO.

NWN was also fun (especially the two expansions) but with less story and again less tactics.

The only way I'd say either was better than BG, PS:T or FO was in the shiny 3D graphics. Shiny!

 

[murphy55d]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
The Baldur's Gate series has ruined my RPG experience because nothing has come close to its quality since.

Same here.

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: murphy55d

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
The Baldur's Gate series has ruined my RPG experience because nothing has come close to its quality since.

Same here.

Yep - recently replayed BG2 - still a blast, amazingly immersive game

 

[tuteja1986]

lets all play crono trigger! awesome storyline and every few step you take , grantees a enemy encounter which makes the game really long

 

[viivo]

Originally posted by: tuteja1986
lets all play crono trigger! awesome storyline and every few step you take , grantees a enemy encounter which makes the game really long

I bet you fall down a lot.


Not to be totally OT, I'll give another vote for the order of best to worst: PST > Fallout > Fallout 2 > Baldur's Gate 2 > Baldur's Gate 1 > Icewind Dale 1 & 2.

 

[rstrohkirch]

Honestly, I enjoyed Arcanum more then any of the ones listed, but they are all really good games.
I was also partial to Divine Divinity for some strange reason.

 

[imported_obsidian]

I would also suggest Neverwinter Nights. It is made by the same guys who made the Baldur's Gate series (Bioware). I just picked up the diamond edition which includes the 2 expansions and some extra mods and I think on DVD for $30 at EB.

 

[xboxist]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
GoGamer.com probably, might also check Amazon and Amazon used sellers

Thanks for the suggestion. GoGamer has everything I need.

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

I recently went back and played Fallout 1 & 2, and while the 640x480 resolution is a bit jarring at first, I more or less got used to it after a few hours. BG2 runs in 800x600, which is not bad for a 2D isometric.