With the third title in the Baldur's Gate series set for full release next year, fans may be wondering if it's time to revisit the beginnings of the franchise. If the Dark Alliance hack-and-slash titles are ignored, as well as the enhanced versions of the original releases, it's been over 20 years since the Baldur's Gate main series has seen a new title. Fans of Baldur's Gate 3 may want to temper their expectations when looking back into BioWare's catalog.
While the first two Baldur's Gate games are well-regarded by fans, they bear all the hallmarks of lengthy 90s RPGs. Not only do their respective mechanics show their age, but both can be extremely difficult experiences compared to more modern RPGs. Still, with their important place in video game history, they offer a unique experience that many fans may still enjoy.
Is Baldur's Gate Worth Trying in 2022
Baldur's Gate can be an incredible, yet frustrating experience. Like Baldur's Gate 2, it's set in the mysterious and dark world of the Forgotten Realms — the same world as Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights. Unlike the sequel, however, the original Baldur's Gate is a much more open-ended and difficult experience. In a sense, Baldur's Gate better captures the Dungeons & Dragons experience, since there is more choice left up to the player, but it can also end up being downright confusing.
Baldur's Gate is unequivocally worth checking out, but it is generally considered the lesser of the first two games for the aforementioned reasons. If players are forced to choose between the first two titles, Baldur's Gate 2 should be the go-to choice for its more user-friendly experience. While lovers of high fantasy will undoubtedly enjoy the original Baldur's Gate, it may be too slow-paced and directionless for most people to casually enjoy.
The Case for Baldur's Gate 2
Widely regarded as one of the best Dungeons & Dragons games of all time, Baldur's Gate 2 improved on the original and offered a more railroaded, yet streamlined experience. While the original Baldur's Gate suffers from giving the player too much freedom, Baldur's Gate 2 takes the wheel and guides the player through a riveting Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Like the first game, it can be a bit challenging for new players to adapt to the Baldur's Gate style of adventure and combat, but it more than rewards players for doing so.
Luckily, the enhanced version of Baldur's Gate 2 offers an even better experience than the original game. A number of pesky bugs were hammered out, the interface got a serious update, and it also includes all of the much-beloved expansions. While fans may hem and haw about whether to recommend the original Baldur's Gate, the collective opinion around Baldur's Gate 2 is more or less unanimous — it's absolutely worth playing.
Baldur's Gate 1-2 Are Best Experienced in Single-player
Even though the enhanced versions have made massive strides towards improving the functionality of multiplayer, both of the first two Baldur's Gate games are best left to solo players. For those that have only experienced Baldur's Gate 3 in early access, it's important to keep in mind that the original games come from a different era entirely. With the right group, Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 can absolutely be enjoyed in multiplayer, but the constant pausing and decision-making will still derail most sessions rather quickly.
The best way to explain the multiplayer in Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 — and even Baldur's Gate 3 to some extent — is to compare it to a pen-and-paper Dungeons & Dragons game. As another player is making decisions, there isn't much to do but sit and wait. In a tabletop session, this is to be expected, but in video games it can be a rather jarring experience, which ultimately means Baldur's Gate and its sequels are best enjoyed in single-player.
Baldur's Gate 1: Enhanced Edition and Baldur's Gate 2: Enhanced Edition are available now on PC, PlayStation 4, Switch, and Xbox One.