Hey guys!

While I love to play action RPGs like Witcher or Skyrim, I have never played any classic top-down RPGs. Seeing the hype with Pillars of Eternity I have become curious. Before trying that game, I would like to find out whether I can enjoy the genre or not and want to give one of the classics a try first.

Therefore I would like to ask for advice, how to dive into the world of classic RPGs? Which do you recommend to a beginner: BG 1, BG2? How about Planescape Torment? I have no problem with retro-graphics, but I dislike "retro-interfaces" where for example the mouse wheel or right mouse button does not work (as often in old games), especially in a genre where you spend a lot of time on inventory or menu screens. Are the "enhanced editions" of BG better in that respect?

Thanks for your advice!

The answer to what series to pick is pretty easy as each of the three series is quite different and pleases a different target group.

So when you wonder which series to pick:

If you want traditional exploration, questing and Pen&Paper-ish role-playing, pick Baldur's Gate.
If you enjoy dungeon exploration and combat the most, pick Icewind Dale.
If you want the most unique and interesting story, pick Planescape: Torment.

In case of Icewind Dale, I'd say play the first game first for sure. In case of Baldur's Gate, it's a bit harder. BG1 feels quite a bit outdated interface-wise and might be hard to get into for a "modern gamer", so BG2 might be the better recommendation here, but I wouldn't want to give a clear answer on that.

If I'm not completely mistaken, I think right-clicking to move already works in the old games. They were a bit ahead of their time. :-)
Don't think the mouse wheel does anything, though.

Not sure how much the Enhanced Editions improved the interface as I didn't play them (I personally decided to get the classic games instead of the EEs as not everything about the EEs is positive).

Curious...
Was observing a player on Twitch and what sold me on 'Pillars of Eternity' was allowing the player to move the square, which represents the player's point-of-view on the area map, to be repositioned anywhere with a click-drag action. This is a very important feature as well as a convenience because of the amount of traveling the player's party must do to accomplish tasks. This is how movement was done in most Infinity Engine based games for me and I'm so grateful that mouse control method can be achieved in 'Pillars of Eternity'.

:)

RyaReisender's advice is solid, but I would add this: if you want non-linear open world, then there is only one choice, Baldur's Gate. Not Baldur's Gate 2, not Icewind Dale... Baldur's Gate the original. If the interface is too clunky for you, you might want to consider playing TuTu/BGT (BG1 in the BG2 engine).

I'd go with Planescape: Torment because the story is so good that it may keep you playing even if you can't get into the gameplay at first.

Are you certain, Hickory?

:)

...About Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn having a linear world compared to the original Baldur's Gate? Now, although I haven't played the original in some years, I don't recall the area locations being as open world as the sequel.

What gives you reason to think that Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn doesn't contain a non-linear open world compared to the original?

It's hard to recommend where to start but if you point a gun at my head and force me to choose, I would probably say Baldur's Gate 1.

BG and IWD both have their fair share of combat but the reason I say BG1 is because there is a lot less in terms of items and spells so you won't be overwhelmed with options which makes getting into IE games much easier. The pace is quite a bit slower than BG2 and IWD which is also helpful while you get over the learning curve. First time I played BG2, I started over so many times because I kept screwing up my main character :P I found playing through BG1 helped quite a bit is getting over the learning curve. With BG1 though, you really want to get a level up for your main character ASAP as a level 1 character, even a fighter, is squishy as hell.

I don't recommend IWD to start with because to a newcomer, the game can be quite overwhelming. By that I mean, getting swarmed when entering new areas, customizing your entire party vs just one character like BG, the tons of items and spells to sift through. However IWD is all but totally linear (there is a slight degree of choice in chapter 5 and 6) so you won't ever get lost.

I don't recommend BG2 to start with either as not only are there a lot more spells and items which can be confusing to a newcomer, BG2 is a direct continuation of BG1. I wouldn't start reading a book from the middle and so I don't recommend starting with BG2 for the same reason.

PST is a totally different ball game and I don't recommend comparing it with BG or IWD. The first time I played through PST, I was mostly a fighter and built the character as such but doing so caused me to miss the best parts of the game. Keep is mind this game is focused entirely on the story, combat takes a backseat here so if you're wanting a combat heavy game, just look at BG or IWD.

As for the enhanced editions, I'm not sure. Some love em, some hate em and each side has valid reasons. I'd take a look through the forums and find the "original vs EE" threads (there's a few of them), see what people say and decide for yourself. Personally, I'm happy with my original versions and never felt the need to try the EE versions.

Seriously though, I recommend trying all of them. They are all great games. IWD is my favorite of the lot but that is just my personal preference. I think we've beaten this point to death in other threads :P

Are you serious? I suggest you go back and play the original, and then compare them.

In BG1:
go where you like, when you like, with two exceptions:
Cloakwood (plot reasons) becomes available after chapter 4
Baldur's Gate city (plot reasons) becomes available after chapter 5

In BG2:
escape dungeon in chapter 1
follow fetch quests in chapter 2 to raise money to rescue Imoen
choose sides (vampires or thieves guild) in chapter 3 to secure passage to Imoen
fetch quests in Brynlaw (chapter 4) to gain access to Spellhold
fetch quest in Underdark (chapter 5)
defeat Bodhi (chapter 6)
aid the elves to get to Irenicus (chapter 7)

See the difference? You are completely railroaded in BG2.

Well, you have just proven my point in your reply.

:)

Both Baldur's Gate & Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn use 'chapters' to guide the player from point A to point B in its storytelling, which would actually describe both games as 'linear'.

However, I'm talking about gameplay. Right now, I have a Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn save game sitting in reserve, waiting for me to continue but I'm not going to do that just yet as I have other priorities that require my immediate attention. Until those tasks are complete, then I can jump back in at any time and pick up where I last left off:

I'm only on Chapter 2, and have explored Athkatla enough where 5 locations on the World Map (Umar hills, Windspear Hills, Trademeet, de' Arnise Hold and Temple Ruins) that opens the game a lot more to give me more options. which means more choices. If I wanted to enter Chapter 3, all I have to do is agree to speak with the vampire in the Graveyard, but as I've written before...
--- not going to do that just yet. From my point-of-view, I could go many different routes at this point depending on which Hero I recruit or what power group I choose to side with or what quest to complete.
I'd wager that I could probably accomplish the same in the original Baldur's Gate, however, I doubt it. Plus, I really don't want to go through the disc swapping. Now, I respect each and every one of your replies in the GOG forum (in fact, I'm giving you a point just for replying to me :) , however, I strongly believe Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn possesses far more open-world options than its predecessor.

I'm speechless. If you really believe that, then there is obviously no convincing you. Believe as you wish, but it doesn't make it true.

Hey, look, I'm on your side.

:)

However, on Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn being described as not having 'non-linear open world', I'd have to respectfully disagree with you there.

My save game file allows me to just fight monsters, stockpile weapons & ammo, collect gold pieces and gain experience points (albeit very slowly) forever. All I have to do is make a choice which route I want to go which there are many. Having many choices does not qualify as linear.

You're not talking about traveling back and fourth looting from random encounters by any chance are you?

If I wanted to just fight monsters, stockpile weapons, armor & ammo, collect gold pieces and gain experience points...

--- YES!!!

:)

Just get Pillars of Eternity and play it.

Playing other games won't give you a definitive answer whether you'll like it or not.

I'm sorry, but you appear to have a skewed idea of the difference between open world and linear gameplay. That's quite evident.