the review that says fallout 1 and 2 are less dated than this is on crack. not saying they are bad games by any means, but i tried to play them recently for the first time and they were much, MUCH more clunky and arcane than BG
100% agreed and i have a soft spot for FO2 over this if I had to force an answer. I'd also extend this to Planescape: Torment. BioWare was such a talented studio for nearly 25 years.
I'm currently doing a full playthrough of BG1 & 2 for the first time. I'm about 50+ hours in and have just finished the Ust Natha section in the Underdark of Chapter 5. My current party consists of Jaheira, Anomen, Jan, Haer'dalis, and Aerie.
I didn't much care for BG1 (though the expansion was cool) but I can see why BG2 is so widely praised even to this day. The writing, storytelling, worldbuilding, art, soundtrack, etc. are absolutely second to none. It's wild just what a huge step up this is from BG1, though I'm glad I finished it and Siege of Dragonspear to experience the full story.
Planescape: Torment will always be in my all-time top 3, but this is incredible. Really one of those games I feel I'm going to complete and wish I could experience for the first time again.
I didn't much care for BG1 (though the expansion was cool) but I can see why BG2 is so widely praised even to this day. The writing, storytelling, worldbuilding, art, soundtrack, etc. are absolutely second to none. It's wild just what a huge step up this is from BG1, though I'm glad I finished it and Siege of Dragonspear to experience the full story.
Planescape: Torment will always be in my all-time top 3, but this is incredible. Really one of those games I feel I'm going to complete and wish I could experience for the first time again.