The Definitive Play Order for Baldur‘s Gate 2 and How to Get the Best Experience
As an avid gamer and content creator focused on RPGs for over 20 years, I receive many questions on the ideal play order for Baldur‘s Gate 2 and how to properly experience this legendary series. After multiple complete playthroughs and deep analysis, I confidently recommend playing in this precise order for the optimal blend of story comprehension, gameplay enjoyment and old-school roleplaying goodness:
- Baldur‘s Gate 1
- Siege of Dragonspear
- Baldur‘s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn
- Baldur‘s Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal
Baldur‘s Gate 1 – Where the Journey Begins
The original Baldur‘s Gate still stands out as one of the most ambitious and sprawling RPGs ever made. Some key facts:
- Over 300 special abilities and spells across 7 spell schools
- massive 60+ hour playtime just for main quest
- more than 50 explorable areas like the iconic starting zone Candlekeep
While dated visually, Baldur‘s Gate 1 established signature features that persist even in modern entries like Baldur‘s Gate 3:
- Deep character creation with 24 classes and kits
- Tactical real-time-with-pause combat
- Text and dialogue heavy with emphasis on roleplaying
- Impactful decisions that alter quests and endings
As the introductory chapter, Baldur‘s Gate 1 allows players to ease into the finely crafted Forgotten Realms campaign setting, get invested in the central Bhaalspawn storyline, and master gameplay basics before diving into the sequel. I‘ll never forget leaving Candlekeep for the first time on my half-elf mage and realizing just how massive this fantasy world was.
Siege of Dragonspear – An Underappreciated Prequel
The Siege of Dragonspear expansion elegantly bridges the gap between the events of Baldur‘s Gate 1 and 2 while offering 25+ hours of original content. Stats breakdown:
- 5 new companion NPCs with unique quest lines
- 15 challenging new areas like the eponymous Bridgefort Ruins location
- Over 30 new magic items from the powerful Flail of Ages to silly novelty gear like the Talking Scroll
Despite middling reviews on launch, I firmly believe Siege of Dragonspear is an underrated entry well worth experiencing. Through exciting side adventures like infiltrating a devil-worshipping cult or battlingborders in the misty High Forest, veteran players witness firsthand how the Bhaalspawn Saga transitions into the next chapter.
My favorite moments remain the colorful banters with new companions Dorn Il-Khan and M‘Khiin Grubdoubler, which instill the journey with humor and heart. Combined with the main story setpieces and epic original score, Siege of Dragonspear makes for a memorable prelude to Baldur‘s Gate 2.
Baldur‘s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn – The Pinnacle of Classic RPGs
Where the original focused mainly on exploration, Baldur‘s Gate 2 doubles down on delivering a powerful narrative with higher production values across the board. By the numbers:
- Over 400,000 words of written dialogue
- 130 quests varying from minor errands to game-altering arcs
- 500+ unique creatures from beasts to supernatural horrors
Upon awakening imprisoned in a laboratory under mysterious circumstances, players reunite with classic companions while recruiting unforgettable new allies like haughty elven wizard Edwin Odesseiron or good-natured druid Jaheira.
The Writ Large Studios team clearly refined the D&D ruleset with more intense combat encounters, expanded character options through new kits like Dragon Disciple, and daring experiments like council meetings that adjust based on your reputation.
Simply put, Baldur‘s Gate 2 represents the pinnacle of classic RPG greatness through its sprawling 40+ hour Shadows of Amn campaign. The fully voiced conversations bring characters to life unlike ever before, the original score fits every location perfectly, and the high fantasy story ticks all the right boxes. I still get chills every time the signature theme swells over the dynamic title menu!
Baldur‘s Gate 2: Throne of Bhaal – Become the Slayer
Carrying over protagonists from the previous entry, Throne of Bhaal cranks everything up to 11 with what I consider the most epic conclusion in RPG history as you embrace your destiny as the dreaded Bhaalspawn. Let‘s analyze the insane numbers:
- Over 30 hours of additional playtime
- 5 possible endings based on alignment and choices
- Challenge powerful new foes like Gromnir Il-Khan and sendai the shadow lord
With the fate of Faerûn at stake, Throne of Bhaal tempts players with formidable new abilities like Blade Barrier and Boon of Lathander complemented by higher experience caps and new gear. I‘ll never forget warring with fellow Bhaalspawn unter the blood-red sky of the Pocket Plane or facing the onslaught of Demogorgon on the roof of his fortress.
Through Allegiance questlines with your romanced companions, unexpected betrayals, and world-shaking decisions determining who claims the essence of Murder, no other game delivers such riveting high fantasy spectacle merged with personal roleplaying opportunity. Throne of Bhaal stands tall among the great video game endings not just for its execution but for paying off threads started all the way back in the original Baldur‘s Gate.
Across over 100 hours of tremendous storytelling, combat, exploration and meaningful choices, the Baldur‘s Gate saga has rightfully earned its reputation as of the greatest video game trilogies ever crafted. There‘s simply nothing else like it. By playing Baldur‘s Gate 1 then its sequels and expansion, you too can experience an unforgettable adventure and witness events that have become integral pieces of Dungeons & Dragons lore.
So gather your party and walk the sword coast – destiny awaits! Just be sure to install some mods first; the antiquated Infinity Engine definitely shows its age without help.
