Should I play BG1 and BG2 before trying this one?

[Cypris Melaenis]

Hello guys, new player here (never played any BG games). Just bought BG3 for myself and wanted to ask:
1) As the title says - should I play the first 2 games before trying BG3? Does BG3 reference any events from those games?
2) Any other games in the same universe? Like Divinity, Icewind Dale, Planescape Torment?

I've bought all of those, just didn't have time to try them yet. But I really wanted to start from a "canonical" order. Thanks in advance.

[Anima Mundi]

No.

Its based on the same universe, it has some references to events of the past, but very minimal.
There's zero need to play anything prior for plot.

There's also no need gameplay wise to try a different game even if you never played Turn based combat before.
At least not if you already own all the games.
BG3 is still friendly to beginners, although the learning arc may be sharp in the beginning, if you have no idea how DnD mechanics work - when it comes to character stats, skills, combat action use, etc.

[Cypris Melaenis]

Originally posted by Anima Mundi:

No.

Its based on the same universe, it has some references to events of the past, but very minimal.
There's zero need to play anything prior for plot.

There's also no need gameplay wise to try a different game even if you never played Turn based combat before.
At least not if you already own all the games.
BG3 is still friendly to beginners, although the learning arc may be sharp in the beginning, if you have no idea how DnD mechanics work - when it comes to character stats, skills, combat action use, etc.

Thanks for the answer! Was really worried that I'd miss something important out story related.

[Acronen]

I mean if you already have those games, and you have time then yeah, you should at least try them. You don't need to, you won't be lost if you don't. If you like older games though, each one you named is good stuff. Unless you don't like reading. Those other games have a lot of reading to them.

BG3 does mention a few things from the previous games. You'll recognize a few characters from previous games if you've played them, but it's not necessary. It's a long time after those events, and the main events of this game aren't really tied to the other games in the series.

Icewind Dale is more of an infinity engine game (what the previous BG games were made on) focused on combat, and dungeon delving over story and narrative. Torment is the opposite. Focused on narrative and story, not combat (same infinity engine.)

[Cypris Melaenis]

Originally posted by Acronen:

I mean if you already have those games, and you have time then yeah, you should at least try them. You don't need to, you won't be lost if you don't. If you like older games though, each one you named is good stuff. Unless you don't like reading. Those other games have a lot of reading to them.

BG3 does mention a few things from the previous games. You'll recognize a few characters from previous games if you've played them, but it's not necessary. It's a long time after those events, and the main events of this game aren't really tied to the other games in the series.

Icewind Dale is more of an infinity engine game (what the previous BG games were made on) focused on combat, and dungeon delving over story and narrative. Torment is the opposite. Focused on narrative and story, not combat (same infinity engine.)

Thanks! I guess I'll go through the previous games first then! By the time I complete them BG3 will become even more polished!

[War Maiden]

Originally posted by Anima Mundi:

No.
Its based on the same universe, it has some references to events of the past, but very minimal. There's zero need to play anything prior for plot.

There's also no need gameplay wise to try a different game even if you never played Turn based combat before.

At least not if you already own all the games.
BG3 is still friendly to beginners, although the learning arc may be sharp in the beginning, if you have no idea how DnD mechanics work - when it comes to character stats, skills, combat action use, etc.

Originally posted by Nobody important:

Was really worried that I'd miss something important out story related.

Actually, Larian worked pretty hard to tie up some loose ends.
I think you: 'Nobody Important...' are mistaken. Perspective is one key, however. Additionally, ones own involvement in this BG3 development project is a boon. I started on day 1 as a bug huntress and also a story, dialogue tree, and technical bug evaluator. All for free mind, because I love D&D and saw the potential of this game, now winning multiple awards for GoTY.

I only want this game to succeed, and for the people playing to have good multiple runs, as that is what it is made for. Multiple playthroughs, with multiple classes and races.

[1337_h4x0r_xXx_deathlord666_xXx]

Storywise there is no real reasons. There are a few npcs, and other references, but you don't need to know them. The events of BG1 and BG2 are more then 100 Years in the past.
Gamepla wise, the old games play a bit different for one because they are using a vastly outdated edition of the ruleset (2nd edition vs. 5th edition D&D) and mostly because the old games used RTWP combat (Real time with pause) which the creators back at the time decided on to chase the ARPG and RTS crowds. BG3 uses Turn based combat, which is way closer to what you would experience at the tabletop.

The events in BG3 follow directly up on the events of the D&D5e Campaign "Baldurs Gate: Descent into Avernus", which is also not required to understand the game, however that too gives some additional insight into some of the events.

You can find story summaries for both the old games and the TT Campaign on youtube. This should give you enough of an understanding.
Without the nostalgia attached to the old games, they can be quite hard to enjoy. Especially if you (like me) don't enjoy the rtwp system.

[Cypris Melaenis]

Originally posted by Powerword: Shill:

Storywise there is no real reasons. There are a few npcs, and other references, but you don't need to know them. The events of BG1 and BG2 are more then 100 Years in the past.
Gamepla wise, the old games play a bit different for one because they are using a vastly outdated edition of the ruleset (2nd edition vs. 5th edition D&D) and mostly because the old games used RTWP combat (Real time with pause) which the creators back at the time decided on to chase the ARPG and RTS crowds. BG3 uses Turn based combat, which is way closer to what you would experience at the tabletop.

The events in BG3 follow directly up on the events of the D&D5e Campaign "Baldurs Gate: Descent into Avernus", which is also not required to understand the game, however that too gives some additional insight into some of the events.

You can find story summaries for both the old games and the TT Campaign on youtube. This should give you enough of an understanding.
Without the nostalgia attached to the old games, they can be quite hard to enjoy. Especially if you (like me) don't enjoy the rtwp system.

Thanks! Will put it into consideration.

[Acronen]

Originally posted by Nobody important:

Originally posted by Acronen:

I mean if you already have those games, and you have time then yeah, you should at least try them. You don't need to, you won't be lost if you don't. If you like older games though, each one you named is good stuff. Unless you don't like reading. Those other games have a lot of reading to them.

BG3 does mention a few things from the previous games. You'll recognize a few characters from previous games if you've played them, but it's not necessary. It's a long time after those events, and the main events of this game aren't really tied to the other games in the series.

Icewind Dale is more of an infinity engine game (what the previous BG games were made on) focused on combat, and dungeon delving over story and narrative. Torment is the opposite. Focused on narrative and story, not combat (same infinity engine.)

Thanks! :thebardsale: I guess I'll go through the previous games first then! By the time I complete them BG3 will become even more polished!

I should note, Icewind Dale and Planescape: Torment have no story connections at all with the BG series, other than taking place on the same planet (Icewind Dale, north of where the BG series takes place) or same universe (Planescape, which gets into the deeper lore of D&D cosmology.)

Icewind Dale is really only worth playing if you like RTwP (real time with pause games) and the old infinity engine style (I personally do.) And Torment is worth playing if you like really well done narrative based games. It has a compelling story to it, and gets pretty whacky.

[War Maiden]

Originally posted by Nobody important:

Originally posted by Powerword: Shill:

Storywise there is no real reasons. There are a few npcs, and other references, but you don't need to know them. The events of BG1 and BG2 are more then 100 Years in the past.
Gamepla wise, the old games play a bit different for one because they are using a vastly outdated edition of the ruleset (2nd edition vs. 5th edition D&D) and mostly because the old games used RTWP combat (Real time with pause) which the creators back at the time decided on to chase the ARPG and RTS crowds. BG3 uses Turn based combat, which is way closer to what you would experience at the tabletop.

The events in BG3 follow directly up on the events of the D&D5e Campaign "Baldurs Gate: Descent into Avernus", which is also not required to understand the game, however that too gives some additional insight into some of the events.

You can find story summaries for both the old games and the TT Campaign on youtube. This should give you enough of an understanding.
Without the nostalgia attached to the old games, they can be quite hard to enjoy. Especially if you (like me) don't enjoy the rtwp system.

Thanks! :Pizza: Will put it into consideration.

Goddess... really?
Why would one Not want to know the story before stepping in?
I bought BG1 and BG2 the Enhanced Edition to get a grasp on the 'Why'. Because that is the most important thing.

In your regard.
If you want to know the FULL STORY of BG you want to run it from 1 to 3.

[Cypris Melaenis]

Originally posted by War Maiden:

Originally posted by Nobody important:

Thanks! Will put it into consideration.

Goddess... really?
Why would one Not want to know the story before stepping in?
I bought BG1 and BG2 the Enhanced Edition to get a grasp on the 'Why'. Because that is the most important thing.

In your regard.
If you want to know the FULL STORY of BG you want to run it from 1 to 3.

You're probably right! Would like for BG3 to be patched out before I try it anyway.

[nightwalker83137]

Originally posted by Anima Mundi:

No.

Its based on the same universe, it has some references to events of the past, but very minimal.
There's zero need to play anything prior for plot.

There's also no need gameplay wise to try a different game even if you never played Turn based combat before.
At least not if you already own all the games.
BG3 is still friendly to beginners, although the learning arc may be sharp in the beginning, if you have no idea how DnD mechanics work - when it comes to character stats, skills, combat action use, etc.

Although, BG1 and BG2 will provide some of the back story to things in BG3.

[LordOfTheBread]

You don't need to. BG1 and 2 aregood games but pretty hardcore tyo get into by modern standards.

Unbless you really like old scholl games and reading a ton you can definitely play BG3 on its opwn.

[NorthernDavid]

The key thing to remember is that story wise the first two games can give more background but there is a large time jump.

Gameplay wise, no, the first two games will not help at all. While both are based on D&D the first 2 are based on AD&D 2nd edition, (The current, for the most part version when they were released.) BG3 on the other hand is based on D&D 5e. Even without the change from real time with pause to turn based, the underlying systems changed quite a bit between those editions of D&D.

Overall if you already own all 3 go for it, they are fun games in their own right and worth a try to see if you like them. Just don't expect the gameplay to carry through all the way.

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Nobody important:

Should I play BG1 and BG2 before trying this one?
Hello guys, new player here (never played any BG games). Just bought BG3 for myself and wanted to ask:
1) As the title says - should I play the first 2 games before trying BG3? Does BG3 reference any events from those games?
2) Any other games in the same universe? Like Divinity, Icewind Dale, Planescape Torment?

I've bought all of those, just didn't have time to try them yet. But I really wanted to start from a "canonical" order. Thanks in advance.

Do yourself a favour, start with Baldur's Gate 3, ESPECIALLY if you have not touched the other games yet. The "same universe" is large and multiversing is not helping.

If you need a good reasoning, do it like this. Play Baldur's Gate 3 and pretend the others are prequels. Like with Star Wars or Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. The canonical order is not necessarily good.

[Daniel]

Should you decide to get them then my recommendation would be to just play them on the easiest difficulty for the story. Probably also using the console to kill annoying enemies. There’s no point in going back to these games for real if you haven’t already played and enjoyed them back then.

They are basically enthusiast games with little hand-holding and at times frustrating and unfair.