Should I bother with Baldur's Gate?

[subskipper]

I had the original Baldur's Gate on disc way back when (I think I still have it somewhere) but bough the Enhanced Edition for iPad just last night. I was planning to play my way through this over the next month or so, and the start was encouraging. I like the gameplay and really look forward to get properly stuck in, but one thing annoys the bejeezus out of me. I don't see any intuitive ways of getting spell descriptions to show for my magic wielders. It is quite frustrating early in the game before you learn all the various symbols for the spells. Last night saw me cast random spells for about ten minutes before I started to get which ones were which. Anyone else tried this on iPad or similar?

 

[Starbird]

Dragon Age: Origins is one of my favorite games of all time. Looking for another game similar to it, I discovered that it's the spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate, and now I'm curious about it. I was wondering, do you think I'd like Baldur's Gate if I liked Dragon Age? I've also heard that the second game is considerably better than the first. Should I even play the first, or just skip to the second?

EDIT: Also, if anybody knows of any other games similar to Dragon Age, feel free to list them.

EDIT: Thanks for all the responses and recommendations. I've decided to try a few games, as they're all quite cheap right now. I've gotten Neverwinter Nights 2, and both Baldur's Gates (I'm currently installing the Tutu mod).

First impression of BG 1 (with Tutu and party member dialogue mods installed): First off, I'll give some details on my character. I created a half-elf fighter / mage, with proficiency in longswords and dual-wielding (being unfamiliar with D&D, I didn't realize until later that he was rather derivative of Drizzt Do'Urden). I started out with a pretty good roll of 91, and my stats are distributed thus:

Character Name: Anomander
Strength: 18
Dexterity: 17
Constitution: 16
Intelligence: 18
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 10

I've just gotten to Nashkel and rested at the inn for the night. So far, I'm enjoying the combat. I've heard that the high rate of missed attacks could be very frustrating at the start of the game, but due to my character's high strength stat, it hasn't been too much of a problem. I've been enjoying the difficulty (which has felt fair so far), as well as the freedom the game gives me to roam about the map between towns. It's been a while since a game has been willing to let me run off to an area where I'm sure to get my ass kicked, and I love the sense of danger that comes with it. So far I only have one slot for spells, which is usually occupied by some sort of buff to augment my melee combat. I might try out some offensive spells when I have a few more slots.

The plot hasn't developed into anything particularly noteworthy yet, but it has grabbed my attention, and the world already feels intriguing, due to rumors heard in taverns. The dialogue mod has also made the game more interesting, and the characters feel far more alive than they did in the short time I played un-modded.

BG is a slow burn. Very slow. Like...you need to be pretty far in before you even start to smell smoke. And it only really catches on fire in Baldur's Gate 2.

That said, you should absolutely bother. It's probably the best western RPG ever made.

 

[Tawanda]

Character Name: Anomander
.

as in Anomander Rake? From Malzan series?

Also yes play baldurs gate its worth it

 

[Darth Rosenberg]

I was sick of other BioWare fans whining about how I couldn't say this or that about their console era IP's (KotOR was my first BioWare game), unless I played Baldur's Gate, so eventually I bought the collected 4-in-1 edition. And honestly? I found it impossibly boring and very hard work.

...that said, everyone does seem to agree BG2 is well worth playing, so I do intend to push on through the original just to see what the fuss is about with the sequel.

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

Tried Baldurs Gate a few times in the last couple of years but kept bouncing off it. Though I decided to give the game another go when I bought the Enhanced Edition on sale. Still took me another 3 to get far attempts as I tried to get to grips with the mechanics. For example I initially was unsure of what the point of having mages at all, as at the beginning they can only cast one spell before having to rest and be able cast again. Though now I've been playing for a good few hours, got a full party at level 5-6 and starting to really enjoy the game.

I will say that the game does show its age a lot. It has a slow burn and is a little light on the interesting side quest and dialogue generally expected of rpg's since[footenote]based on what I've played so far[/footnote] but if you can get past that it certainly at enjoyable experience. Though from what I've heard BG2 revolves a lot of those issues, if so I'll look forward to playing through that once I'm done with the BG1.

 

[endtherapture]

I was sick of other BioWare fans whining about how I couldn't say this or that about their console era IP's (KotOR was my first BioWare game), unless I played Baldur's Gate, so eventually I bought the collected 4-in-1 edition. And honestly? I found it impossibly boring and very hard work.

...that said, everyone does seem to agree BG2 is well worth playing, so I do intend to push on through the original just to see what the fuss is about with the sequel.

You're probably just too young for it or in the wrong mindset. BG games are deep, slow games with a lot of fairly abstract game mechanics and little cinematic presentation. They're not for everyone but that's fine if you don't enjoy it, they are masterpieces though, I can still enjoy them over 10 years on from their release.

 

[AtomChicken]

@ OP: Fuck yes, it may be old, but BG was a trend setter and one of Bioware's founding cornerstones.

 

[Jolly Co-operator]

Character Name: Anomander
.

as in Anomander Rake? From Malzan series?

Yep, the very same. Although, considering that my character was dual-wielding longswords, maybe Silchas would have been more appropriate.

 

[MirenBainesUSMC]

You probably are already in the thick of things at this point it seems. Baulder's Gate has aged well despite what some may say and you can't call yourself an RPG enthusiast until you've finished it. Its nothing like Dragon Age as it is an older game and it will require you to use your imagination to fill in most of the blanks for its simplistic graphics. It isn't easy and you can die many times.


One thing is certain --- sleep often to refill magic, save ALOT, and don't worry too much about buying items, a lot of the loot will suffice.

When you get to that abomination of a tower --- stand by to get your butt handed to you around every corner, its a pretty terrible place.