Does one have to play PoE 1?

[Princess of Dumbasses]

just found out about the game & I'm curious if one has to play the previous entry to enjoy this game?

I was lured by it when I saw you could do trading sailing & things like it.

[Baldurs_Gate_2]

Not really. Plays in a different part of the world.

[StickyFingaz]

Let me copy/paste what I just wrote on another thread a few minutes ago. I deleted a few lines just to stay spoiler-free:

Yes, you can enjoy PoE2 without playing PoE at first. However, PoE does not just give you ''a bit'' of lore/world building. The whole World of PoE is built through PoE1. It's like watching Lord of the Rings - The two towers and saying the Fellowship of the ring is not required at all. It's nonsense.

On a gameplay perspective, yes, you don't need to play PoE1 to enjoy PoE2, like any other games on the market that has a prequel. But on a roleplay perspective, PoE1 is a must and it is a very bad idea to skip it if you are about roleplay at all and interested in the World of PoE.

I also add this, also copy/paste from the same thread:

Seriously, I know Real-time-with-pause is not for everyone...But skipping PoE to go straight to PoE2 is a very sad decision in my opinion. You miss all the lore regarding Gods and the whole story.

If you're not into real-time-with-pause because it is very demanding and exhausting, why not go for a Story mode run ? I just can't stress enough how good is this game. Many people prefer PoE2 over the first, and many prefer PoE over the second. But PoE1 is clearly worth every hours spent.

There are many sequels games out there that really does not require to play the first title but PoE2 is a direct sequel. Events of PoE2 start right as you finish PoE1 campaign, more or less.

[zeke]

Or here's the thread in question.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/560130/discussions/0/6980058383078703917/

[Princess of Dumbasses]

Originally posted by Baldurs_Gate_2:

Not really. Plays in a different part of the world.

got it thanks!

[StickyFingaz]

Noooooo. you will regret it. By the fire of Magran, noooo ;)

[Jivebot]

Required? No.

Strongly recommended? Oh hell yes.

I'm delighted at how often I am running into characters and choices I made in the first game that followed me here. Just ran into a guy whom I could have killed in the first game for a terrible choice, but I exiled him instead and now he's a missionary helping the poor.

Not much I know, but it's the little things us roleplayers crave.

[Sgt. Flaw]

PoE 1 is a timeless gem...PoE 2 suffers from pacing issues and a blah story....

I would be asking if it was necessary to play PoE 2 and the answer to that is no...just play 1

[StickyFingaz]

Originally posted by Sgt. Flaw:

PoE 1 is a timeless gem...PoE 2 suffers from pacing issues and a blah story....

I would be asking if it was necessary to play PoE 2 and the answer to that is no...just play 1

My thoughts exactly.

[Lungbutter]

You already got your main answer. I'll add a bonus perspective:

If you intend to play PoE1 some day, just know that PoE2 is going to reveal some major spoilers in the first half of the game.

If you enjoy those big, "Luke, I am your father", types of reveals you may want to take that into consideration.

But if you have no desire to play PoE1, don't worry about it. Just something that you'll definitely want to consider.

PoE2 does a way better job orienting you to the world lore though, so if you value learning about the world, rather than major plot twists, you can feel good about playing PoE2. Or if you just care about good gameplay, PoE2 is definitely more well-tuned.

PoE1 falls a little short in explaining things here and there. Still great though, don't get me wrong.

[Fendelphi]

Originally posted by Treemosher:

You already got your main answer. I'll add a bonus perspective:

If you intend to play PoE1 some day, just know that PoE2 is going to reveal some major spoilers in the first half of the game.

If you enjoy those big, "Luke, I am your father", types of reveals you may want to take that into consideration.

But if you have no desire to play PoE1, don't worry about it. Just something that you'll definitely want to consider.

PoE2 does a way better job orienting you to the world lore though, so if you value learning about the world, rather than major plot twists, you can feel good about playing PoE2. Or if you just care about good gameplay, PoE2 is definitely more well-tuned.

PoE1 falls a little short in explaining things here and there. Still great though, don't get me wrong.

Off topic, but the correct line is "No, I am your father".

I pretty much agree with the rest.

[Lungbutter]

Originally posted by Fendelphi:

Originally posted by Treemosher:

You already got your main answer. I'll add a bonus perspective:

If you intend to play PoE1 some day, just know that PoE2 is going to reveal some major spoilers in the first half of the game.

If you enjoy those big, "Luke, I am your father", types of reveals you may want to take that into consideration.

But if you have no desire to play PoE1, don't worry about it. Just something that you'll definitely want to consider.

PoE2 does a way better job orienting you to the world lore though, so if you value learning about the world, rather than major plot twists, you can feel good about playing PoE2. Or if you just care about good gameplay, PoE2 is definitely more well-tuned.

PoE1 falls a little short in explaining things here and there. Still great though, don't get me wrong.

Off topic, but the correct line is "No, I am your father".

I pretty much agree with the rest.

Doh! You are right whoops. Thanks boss

[jotwebe]

YMMV. Personally I slept on PoE2 for a long time because I was underwhelmed by PoE1. Second one is IMHO much better with faction & location variety, open world-like feel and pacing, side quests, combat mechanics and character build options. PoE1 has a better main quest, I'll give it that.

In particular, PoE2 organises the huge amount of buffs and debuffs into groups for the six stats (i.e. Might or Resolve), so you can use a buff to protect against/cancel a debuff without having to memorise a hundred thousand effects and their interactions.

PoE2 also has dual-classing and subclasses for all your build tinkering needs. And turn-based mode (bit janky, and serviceable) and auto-pause options that greatly improve the RTwP compared to the first game, at least for my preferences.