francksteel: I started played BG2 before buying BG1.

Without spoiling you: I almost instantly feel I was lacking something in the first 30 minutes.
About 2 hours later (end of the first dungeon) : I knew I was really missing a lot.
I finished the game, really enjoying the story, but as soon as I won, I did go buy the 1st game, played it , played BG2 again, and then finishing with Throne of Bhaal.

But beware : if you play BG1 after BG2, you could be pissed off by the graphisms and some of the game mechanics.
I would recommend to play BG1 with the BG2 engine (you'll find in this forum how to do that)

Problem : it could be bothersome to make the complete install of BG1 in BG2. Fans of BG know that's worth it, but new players may not see why to bother.

If you want to play BG2 without playing BG1, it may be wise to ask for a quick summary of what are the Children of Bhaal and who are the 3 NPC that you'll encounter first. That would spoil you a bit of BG1, but may help you appreciate the beggining of BG2.

Whatever your choice will be: welcome to a great story, and certainly a lot of replayability !

CFM: In terms of story, I liken it to watching The Two Towers first, and then The Fellowship of the Ring second.

In terms of gameplay, low level characters have less abilities and spells, and are thus easier to ease into and manage. Doing BG2 first is like jumping straight into the deep end of the pool.

I 1000% say play BG1 first. 1000%.

You're only a BG virgin once. Don't sully it by doing the saga outta order.

CFM: Also, as a side note: the start of BG2 assumes you had a certain party of NPCs in BG1. When I played the saga, I just happened to have had the 'canon' party, and I thought it was nice having this story-related continuity between BG 1 and 2.

This could be considered a (very minor) spoiler, and you may or may not care about this continuity.

If you'd like to know what the 'canon' NPC party is for BG1, let us know.

francksteel: Yes, that could be important.

As I started by BG2, when I bought BG1 it was quite impossible for me (for the 3 first times I replayed it) to have a party without the 5 NPC you get to know of in the first dungeon.

Still quite hard now ;-)

CFM: I great decision Sirkao! I'd love to hear about your game; what class you play, who you pick up, etc. Keep us updated man!

CFM: Also, as a side note: the start of BG2 assumes you had a certain party of NPCs in BG1. When I played the saga, I just happened to have had the 'canon' party, and I thought it was nice having this story-related continuity between BG 1 and 2.

This could be considered a (very minor) spoiler, and you may or may not care about this continuity.

If you'd like to know what the 'canon' NPC party is for BG1, let us know.

Engerek01: I am one of the few who likes BG1 more than BG2. Finished it 5 times while I could never finish BG2. Also, when I said one of the few, it is not really few. There is a huge amount of players who think BG1 is the real deal.

That said, if you are in a hurry, you can totally play BG2 first. The story is quickly explained to you in the beginning. HOWEVER, that will mean you will LOSE most of the fun you would get from playing BG1, because... you know... the story is explained :).

Also keep in mind that BG1 and BG2 are actually ONE BIG GAME. I am not only talking about Baldur's Gate Trilogy Mod (BGT). You start BG1 as level 1 and finish around level 7. And you start BG2 as level 7. So playing BG2 the first time may feel like playing a character someone else already played. Also, lots of other people will know you in the story and you will not know them. Lot's of the joke will be lost on you.

However, keep in mind that BG1 and BG2 have different designs. BG1 is an open world where BG2 is mostly closed doors. With high level characters, the strategy is a lot different in both games. Bows and arrows rule in BG1 while magic dominate in BG2. Please keep that in mind :)

HAVE FUN.

francksteel: Good choice Sirkao!

You could use "Big World" to play BG1 into BG2.
For a first try, I would recommend to install only the patches and fixpacks, be very very careful with the tweaks, and no story mods or NPC mods.
THere is a preset in Big World that will select the minimal and secure instalment for you (conveniently called BWS minimal), I wouldn't even play for the first time with the "recommended" preset.francksteel: Yes, that could be important.

As I started by BG2, when I bought BG1 it was quite impossible for me (for the 3 first times I replayed it) to have a party without the 5 NPC you get to know of in the first dungeon.

Still quite hard now ;-)