Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

[NovaStar]

I purchased BG2 about a year ago but never played it. I also have Oblivion. I was reading somewhere that BG2 is one of if not the best rpg ever made. The one constant with everyone that has reviewed BG2 is the story. I also have O, I am about to settle down and devote some time to a good rpg game. Which would you suggest, O or BG2?

[Cebby]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

I purchased BG2 about a year ago but never played it. I also have Oblivion. I was reading somewhere that BG2 is one of if not the best rpg ever made. The one constant with everyone that has reviewed BG2 is the story. I also have O, I am about to settle down and devote some time to a good rpg game. Which would you suggest, O or BG2?

They really have nothing in common. BG2 is much, much, much longer than Oblivion.

[NovaStar]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

They really have nothing in common. BG2 is much, much, much longer than Oblivion.

Enlighten me, why do they not have anything in common? Also, is BG2 that much longer than O? Is that a good or bad thing?

[born_bad]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

Do you normally buy games with no idea of what they even are? I'm not asking to be a jerk; I'm genuinely curious.

Casually reading the reviews for both games on any game website will give you a pretty good idea of the games and how they're different. One major thing is Oblivion is a full living 3-d world to explore. BG2 is 2D.

I'm not sure one could accurately say one game is longer than the other. Maybe if you're just counting the main quest in Oblivion (which is only a small percentage of all the things to do in the game). Otherwise, there is no set playing time and you could play the game forever...

You can also just plug the game names in wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate_2

[mudtiger]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

The story in BG2 is longer and better IMHO.

Which game is better though? That's hard to say. As TheSoldier said, I tend to agree they are 2 completely different styles of RPG. If you want in your face combat that you control, go with Oblivion. If you want to control a party and aren't as interested in first person combat, go with BG2. Both are great games.

[Jimplication]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

I haven't played Oblivion, but Baldurs Gate 2 was a fun game.

It is a linear party game, so you will have to micro manage various party members, and I'd also list this as the main distinction between Oblivion.

From what I've read, Oblivion is very open ended and similar to Daggerfall, which I did play many years ago.

Having not played Oblivion, I would recommend it over Baldur's Gate. I tend to prefer RPGs that involve a single character, and I like the freedom to stray from the main quests and do what I want, without being locked into a certain chapter or area of the game.

It's worth noting that I played Baldur's Gate 2 on PC, and there may be noticeable differences between the PC and console versions.

[born_bad]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

I haven't played Oblivion, but Baldurs Gate 2 was a fun game.

It is a linear party game, so you will have to micro manage various party members, and I'd also list this as the main distinction between Oblivion.

From what I've read, Oblivion is very open ended and similar to Daggerfall, which I did play many years ago.

Having not played Oblivion, I would recommend it over Baldur's Gate. I tend to prefer RPGs that involve a single character, and I like the freedom to stray from the main quests and do what I want, without being locked into a certain chapter or area of the game.

It's worth noting that I played Baldur's Gate 2 on PC, and there may be noticeable differences between the PC and console versions.

To help clarify: the Baldur's Gate games on the consoles are completely different than the PC games. The console games are 3rd person slash-n-hack games with some RPG elements. They are fun and great for some fun co-op, but they aren't even a little bit similar to the PC games. Totally, totally different.

I believe the OP is referring to the PC game, due to the "best RPG" comment.

[choadler]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

I personally prefer BG on the PC to Oblivion on the PC. BG2 had excellent gameplay and I prefer the D&D ruleset better than the micromanaging of skills in Oblivion.

The story was also much more interesting in BG2 than Oblivion. Who you had in your party could change the feel or mood of the game. Some characters argue with each other. There are romances in the game as well.

Lastly, Oblivion scales the difficulty relative to your character, BG2 does not do this.

If you can get by the outdated graphics, BG2 is one of the best rpg's, if not games, ever.

[NovaStar]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

Do you normally buy games with no idea of what they even are? I'm not asking to be a jerk; I'm genuinely curious.

Casually reading the reviews for both games on any game website will give you a pretty good idea of the games and how they're different. One major thing is Oblivion is a full living 3-d world to explore. BG2 is 2D.

I'm not sure one could accurately say one game is longer than the other. Maybe if you're just counting the main quest in Oblivion (which is only a small percentage of all the things to do in the game). Otherwise, there is no set playing time and you could play the game forever...

You can also just plug the game names in wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate_2

I have an idea of what they are, but I want to see what some of you guys say about the games before I invest time into one or the other. I trust the opinion of the fellahs here. Here is some of my rpg history. My first rpg was Ultima 3 on the apple pc, so I am used to old school story driven rpg's. I have since played Wizardry 8, all of the Final Fantasy's, Phantasy Star(before online), Might and Magic 7, Sword of Vermillion and Skies of Arcadia. I am looking for a good story to go along with the game.

I have read that BG2 is a very good rpg, I have played Oblivion but never got to the first gate. I want to invest some time into a good rpg, but I prefer story over graphics and eye candy.

[born_bad]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

I have an idea of what they are, but I want to see what some of you guys say about the games before I invest time into one or the other. I trust the opinion of the fellahs here. Here is some of my rpg history. My first rpg was Ultima 3 on the apple pc, so I am used to old school story driven rpg's. I have since played Wizardry 8, all of the Final Fantasy's, Phantasy Star(before online), Might and Magic 7, Sword of Vermillion and Skies of Arcadia. I am looking for a good story to go along with the game.

I have read that BG2 is a very good rpg, I have played Oblivion but never got to the first gate. I want to invest some time into a good rpg, but I prefer story over graphics and eye candy.

There are some decent stories in Oblivion, but not really the main quest. The main quest is ok. The most interesting story-line I've seen in Oblivion is the Dark Brotherhood missions. Some of the miscellaneous quests are interesting, too.

Seems like BG2 would be more of what you're looking for, but Oblivion is still a great game.

[Graphik]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

Greatest. Thread. Ever.

I'll comment on this in a minute as these are 2 of my all time favorite games. Wait, actually I'd take Morrowind over Oblivion but thats just me.

[NovaStar]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

Greatest. Thread. Ever.

I'll comment on this in a minute as these are 2 of my all time favorite games. Wait, actually I'd take Morrowind over Oblivion but thats just me.

What's up Graphik. I look forward to your response.

[NovaStar]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

There are some decent stories in Oblivion, but not really the main quest. The main quest is ok. The most interesting story-line I've seen in Oblivion is the Dark Brotherhood missions. Some of the miscellaneous quests are interesting, too.

Seems like BG2 would be more of what you're looking for, but Oblivion is still a great game.

Born_bad, are you saying that as individual side quests go, O is very good but for the main cohesive storyline BG2 is the better game? Do you like a great main story or games that have very good side quests but an average main story? Me, I have to have a great main story, it makes the game more intriguing. Lord of the rings is a perfect example of this, you have alot of side stories that cohesively fit the with the main story. I remember Ultima 4 having a great main story, but I don't really remember any side quests.

I have been doin some research on the game Twoworlds, and after reading some of the reviews it appears that this game has fallen short of the great main story/side quest, cohesion.

[Graphik]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

I have an idea of what they are, but I want to see what some of you guys say about the games before I invest time into one or the other. I trust the opinion of the fellahs here. Here is some of my rpg history. My first rpg was Ultima 3 on the apple pc, so I am used to old school story driven rpg's. I have since played Wizardry 8, all of the Final Fantasy's, Phantasy Star(before online), Might and Magic 7, Sword of Vermillion and Skies of Arcadia. I am looking for a good story to go along with the game.

I have read that BG2 is a very good rpg, I have played Oblivion but never got to the first gate. I want to invest some time into a good rpg, but I prefer story over graphics and eye candy.

If you're looking for story driven, BG2 will fit the bill in that aspect. The characters you interact with and utilize in your party add much more to the story. For example, you may or may not add a certain character to your party. If you do, somewhere down the line, he'll begin to open up telling his backstory and eventually you'll be involved in a quest revolving around his/her story. Also, depending on your characters alliance(good, evil, nuetral), it'll create tension or comradery among your party. If you add a evil character to a mostly good party, eventually tempers will flair, arguments will start followed by some random fight to the death that can pretty much happen at any time.

As far as the story is concerned, its actually not to linear at all. Its open ended to a point till you need to go to the next chapter. For the most part however, you can go to any city and do any mission whenever you feel. Its almost like Oblivion in a sense but with more restrictions in place. (ex. some cities will be darkened so you cant visit them until you advance futher in the game).

As for gameplay, BG2 is much more micromanaging than Oblivion. In Oblivion, you take care and control 1 person whereas in BG2, you're responsible for taking care of a party of 6, yourself included. Plus there are more characters down the line that you may want to add and will have to manage them as well. Your stats are pretty basic compared to Oblivion but there is so much more hidden variables in BG2 thanks to the D&D ruleset. A battle can last as long as 30 minutes with all the things that can go on. You really have to think in terms of how your party is designed, the weapony and magic provided and the placement of enemies to be sucessfull. Add that along with your character stats and penalties, you really gotta use your noggin.

Graphics are great in BG2 for a 2D game. The artwork in the game is genious full of detail, realistic shades and depth. Once you walk into certain areas, such as mansions, tombs, cities, cabins, whatever, you will appreciate the art design because of the detail. The detail in the characters and magic spells are good as well.

I know it sounds like I'm tryna sell BG2 on you but you really need to give it a shot. You already played Oblivion and may not have liked it much but I love BG2, Oblivion as well as Morrowind. BG2 gets the nod for a more thoroughly indepth experience. Hell, the instuction book for BG2 is like a mini-novel. The D&D rules are something that you really need to learn if you want to get the most out of the game. You said you're a fan of Ultima, Wizardry, etc, you shouldn't have a problem with this game.

BTW, I still play BG2 from time to time. Last time was probably 2 weeks ago. I'm stuck because 2 of my party members hate eachother and often fight till I kick someone out my party. Now I gotta go back and add another member after I've already equipped and level grinded to a comfort zone. Damn D&D ruleset!

[Graphik]

Re: Baldur's Gate 2 or Oblivion

Born_bad, are you saying that as individual side quests go, O is very good but for the main cohesive storyline BG2 is the better game? Do you like the a great main story or a games that have very good side quests but an average main story? Me, I have to have a great main story, it makes the game more intriguing. Lord of the rings is a perfect example of this, you have alot of side stories that cohesively fit the with the main story. I remember Ultima 4 having a great main story, but I don't really remember any side quests.

I have been doin some research on the game Twoworlds, and after reading some of the reviews it appears that this game has fallen short of the great main story/side quest, cohesion.

The story is probably the biggest diffrence in the two. To tell the truth, BG2 actually feels more like LoTRs than any game I've ever played. While questing to get to the next missions, you get a better understanding for your party members as all of them have their own minds and ultimately have a deciding factor in whomever your interact with. For example, if you assign an evil character as the leader of your party, the responses your get from NPCs are totally diffrent than what you'd get if you lead with a Good or heroric character.

During conversations with NPCs, your party members will chime in from time to time if they agree with the quest or not. You can pretty much tell that a evil character doesn't care much for good deeds. So if you continue doing good deeds and quest, he'll get angry and eventually threaten to leave your party.

During random parts of your travels, your party mates will just start talking about their life and their history. Pretty cool stuff because you get a better understanding for your mates personality as if you guys really are adventuring together. Some have agendas. Some people you'll favor more than others. Other people, you wouldn't rescue them if they died in battle based off their personality. All this I'm explaining is just the character aspect of the game. The story is just a entire diffrent thing altogether. So just imagine being in LoTRs fighting alongside Aragon, Legolas and Gandolf. The characters are pretty similar style wise.