i'll add my own two cents (well, maybe one cent <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )worth to the excellent responses here. imo, if you're just starting to play by the d&d rules and have never played pnp like me, you might want to start with neverwinter nights (nwn). bg & bg2 are both great rpg's, but iirc, they are based on the 2nd ed rules, which are very, very restrictive to me.
you'll love the multi-classing freedom that 3rd ed. offers. you can become a half-orc monk for god's sake. (very, very powerful char. btw). besides, if you're just learning how combat works in d&d, it's easier in nwn because you can rest anywhere to restore full hp's and you can obtain early in the game something that will teleport you to a healer. in bg1, if you need to rest, you have to go find an inn. if you rest in the wilderness, only 1 hp will be restored.
don't be discouraged if combat seems a bit slow in d&d initially as compared with hack&slash, button-mashing action rpg's, as your char will only have 1 attack per round. you will often see your char just moving around &/or parrying blows rather than attacking. but as you level up and gain more attacks per round, you will begin to appreciate the system.
as an added incentive, if you play nwn, play its two expansions as well. the 2nd xpac, hordes of the underdark, will take you into a lot of epic battles and your character will have a chance to take epic classes as well. it improves everything that nwn has to offer.
Last edited by crusader; 05/07/04 04:40 AM.
