Funny thing is, I played IWD three times too, but I couldn't even get myself to finish the first act in IWD2. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
As for BG too, you should still put it in its context though. Yes there's empty areas, yes there's the kinda bland NPC's, but on the other hand, it was the first game to use the Infinity Engine engine. BG2 is just the result of months of improving that engine compared to what it could in BG. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
One thingy though: Personally I liked the empty areas. Sure there wasn't much to find there, but heck, are you truly saying that in a fantasy world every square inch should have a quest or event attached to it? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> Even fantasy characters need a rest once in a while. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Back then I just admired the nice graphics of nature, along with the nice ambient sounds it was kinda nice and calming to walk through those areas. Until a horde of sword spiders attacked you that is. Then I ran away as fast as I could. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
