PoE 1 or 2?

[Stormwind]

I played a ton of DOS2, which I enjoyed.

Now I am thinking about one of the Pillars games. Any suggestions or thoughts about which one to get? How do they compare to each other, and how do they compare to DOS2?

Thanks!

[psychotron666420]

Imo Poe 2 is easier for new people to get into from a gameplay perspective. Poe 1 has a deeper story, but it's harder to get hooked into and the combat is a chaotic mess especially compared to Poe 2 or dos2 which both have well polished and thought out combat systems. It's very easy to start with the first one and never finish the game. But the second one is a direct sequel to the first with the same character and a few returning companions, with a carry over mechanic that brings over choices from the first into the second (which can also be edited from the ground up in the second if you don't have a save file).
The second has a more simple story but a much deeper world with more and deeper side quests, and a lot more to do.

Compared to DOS2, pillars games are masterpieces and dos2 is console kid game world hub revolving around the player trash.
However dos2 is more of a financial success because it reaches a wider audience that doesn't care about deep writing, story or any of that rpg fluff, it's easier for non rpg fans to get into.

[Yoinkyz]

dos2 isnt really anything like poe. besides them adding in turned based in poe 2. unless your straight gigachad 6 foot 3 at least.

[wespe___o=/;;;:*]

Divinity:OriginalSin 1+2 ?! Owhh.. you might find this game incredibly HARD in several dimensions because you have to WORK for your success. And I´m not even talking about Builds. That´s no joke.
Pillars 2 is one of the best RPG experiences available -gemstone- ,BUT..

• it´s not finished after 60-80hours
  
• it´s meant to be REPLAYED (expect 200+ hours)
  
• it does not hold your hand too much
  
• tons of freedom, but can also make you feel lost
  
• MUST BUY, if you enjoyed DragonAge 1+2, NWN 1+2, ...
  
  Maybe start here (I know excessive text & meta knowledge).. see if it fits
  https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2581749394

[RACHMANOVSKI]

In PoE, non-combat skills matters.
Quests results matters (in fact it will be recounted).
You play more strategically.

PoE2 is easier to newcomers.

Welcome.

[Steffan]

I've spent on PoE 2 more time than any RPG I have played (for a single run, that is). PoE 2 main story largely feels incomplete and short. It is not disappointing but it leaves you asking "What happened next?" THere is also the very political plot with the factions that I really liked. And a lot of locations to explore. PoE 1 is far more compact and gives more or less satisfactory ending. And yet I did not go completionist in PoE 1 as I did in PoE 2. Was it because I knew it is my last chance to play my favourite character from PoE1? No idea

I think what eventually sold me is that companions got a bit fleshed out in PoE 2 and from a more mechanical point of view, multiclassing. You also see the impacts of choices in PoE 1. I loved my rogue cipher so much that I can not imagine replaying the games once again.

I am surprised to say it but I liked PoE 2 a bit more. Although the ending of PoE 1 felt better.

I have not played DOS2 due to time restraints, sadly. I simply do not have time to delve into another franchise (played the Pathfinder games, the Pillars games and the Baldur's Gate series from the RPG genre)

P.S. If you want to start with the game, I would definitely recommend starting from Pillars 1. You will lose a lot of lore and bonding between companions otherwise.

[dr.rosenrosen]

hardcore dos fans should probably look to things like wasteland 3 or other more deliberately casual games than poe or pathfinder... or maybe you should try solasta...poe has a lot of the worst parts of obsidian in the writing and is likely to bore you.

[Bezdvadvashnost]

Try Solasta, second campaing, first is boring

[Friends with Benedicts]

Oof, Poe is pretty different from DOS, this is coming frm a huge DOS fan.

The question u gotta ask urself is am I a fan of CRPGs in general?

PoE is closer to older baldurs games. I really encourage anyone to play them, cuz both their lore and gameplay is one of the best for single player I ever played. I prefer these kind of crpgs over Bioware ones.

PoE 1 is harder to get by. PoE 2 feels like its easier for newcomers, although poe 1 have much less content so one might say mastering it is easier.

poe 1 saves do import into poe 2 tho.

Id suggest purchasing 2 and if you like it, try 1 for a complete save.

Both games have a lot of replay value to me personaly. Ive beat 1 twice and I plan to beat the second one a lot of times trying different builds in harder difficulties.