do i need to have played the first one?

[brettapuss]

i wanna give this game a try but i never played the first one from a story perspective

[TooooooooBad]

Nope, its an entirely new game.

You can experience the first game and see how much it has evolved from 1 to 2.
Like the gear, tree, the different endgame content.

Otherwise, you can directly jump on PoE2.

[Ronin Gamer]

It might help with some lore aspects or story bits here and there, but it really depends if any of that matters to you in a diablo style game or if you're like a lot of these people and just bum rush everything.
If you really feel the need to know, you can try to play the original since it's free to play, or just look up a story/lore video online too.
But is it NEEDED? Not really, just if you want that extra flavor I guess.

[ElectroStat!c]

If you play the 1st it could make the 2nd feel a bit more familiar, a lot of the systems are similar or very close to being the same, but you don't have to have play the 1st one at all.

[DeadlyKitten]

Aside from the points above i'd suggest trying the first game to see how much the second changed in comparison.
Especially the socketing system.

[FloRyu]

Originally posted by brettapuss:

i wanna give this game a try but i never played the first one

No, Poe1 is amazing and it's my favorite arpg with 4500h in it , but it's not new player friendly. It has a ton of content but it doesn't ease you into

Poe2 will be a lot easier to get into , the skill system is not longer attached to items ,better system explanations, an in-game wiki, recommended support gems for each skill,gold respec ,currency AH (these 2 systems are in Poe 1 too)
Focus on a one thing at a time ,set goals , like finishing the campaign and take it slow, coop will be better too in Poe2 skills interact with each other like they showed in the gameplay trailer so if a player puts down a flame wall you can interact with that shoot lightning through it and it will buff your skill , a lot of interactions like that
You can join discord and ask for help too, or watch videos from content creators like Zizaran

[SunSamurai]

Its better if you did but not sure why youd use words like "need".

[brettapuss]

Originally posted by SunSamurai:

Its better if you did but not sure why youd use words like "need".

i say "need" from a story perspective. some games you do need to some games you don't. From a mechanics point of view obviously i wouldnt you'd pick it up like any other video game by learning and playing. should have clarified

[feNo]

Originally posted by brettapuss:

Originally posted by SunSamurai:

Its better if you did but not sure why youd use words like "need".

i say "need" from a story perspective. some games you do need to some games you don't. From a mechanics point of view obviously i wouldnt you'd pick it up like any other video game by learning and playing. should have clarified

If you are big lore "hunter" then sure, why not? If not, you can totally go straight into Poe2.

[FloRyu]

Originally posted by brettapuss:

Originally posted by SunSamurai:

Its better if you did but not sure why youd use words like "need".

i say "need" from a story perspective. some games you do need to some games you don't. From a mechanics point of view obviously i wouldnt you'd pick it up like any other video game by learning and playing. should have clarified

There are some lore videos , I have 4500h in Poe1 and I know very little. I love story games my top 10 all time are all story heavy
The way the story is presented in Poe1 is not that good , Poe2 looks like it will have a better presentation and cinematics, I will definitely check it out on my first playthrough