I've never heard of this series until now. It looks like a beast of an rpg series though. Would it be best to start with the first game, or just go right to ROA2?

Start with RoA 1!

While the storylines aren't that much connected (no recurring NPC, but a general "orc invasion timeline), the game let's you keep your party in all three games. So it's highly recommended for the equipment alone. RoA 1 has some of the best weapons in all three games. Also, you normally end on level 6 (some chars even 7). While if you start with RoA 2, you start on level 3.

RoA one is also a lot more "clunkier" in the user interface department. So going forward is always better than going back. Also, imo, RoA 1 is the best part, while RoA 2 is the worst. (But that is on a very high level).

RoA 2 is the most difficult one of the three. It's easy to get a game over and it has several "unwinnable" states if you are not carefull or not prepared.

Disclaimer: The RoA series are my favourite games of all time! (irrational choice)

When you start RoA2 you'll actually start at level 1 but when you leave the city with level you'll have an extra encounter (imported parties which are usually around level 5-6 don't get it) which gets them up to level 3 (if they don't avoid the fight).

I started playing RoA2 for a little time, got some insight about the game mechanics and decided that I wanted to play everything from the beginning, starting with RoA1 and playing RoA2 afterwards with an imported party.

You can do the same, play around a bit in the beginning of RoA2 and start RoA1 afterwards.
Those games are tough so I recommend rolling powerful characters with maxed positive attributes.

Can't stress this enough!

(And avoiding the "level up" fight at the beginning of RoA 2 is a really bad idea as it will also bring you into a massively low standing with the goddess of war. Not good.)

Thanks for the advice. Since parties carry over I guess it would be much better to avoid the novice setting in ROA1 and just learn how to build my own party so if I ever finish it I'll be better prepared for ROA2.

Damn gog, why couldn't you gift me something easy! Instead I get a hardcore crpg. I'm kidding. Actually it sounds like I got a game that would have been well worth the money.

The novice setting is BS. It autolevells to many useless skills. And that's the only thing it changes. Neither combat gets easier, nor do skill related rolls.

I also won ROA 1&2 (Thanks GoG)

Are these Games based on "The Dark Eye" ruleset?

I'm playing "The River of Time" right now and it seems from the description that these are from an earlier Version of the same Rules.

Yes, they are. But, at least from my experience. Both series play very different. E.g. the whole "roll based" leveling process of RoA.

Thanks SimonG...

My German is awaful!

They are based on different editions of TDE ruleset. If my memory serves, RoA is based on the 3rd edition rules, while Drakensang is based on the 4th edition rules, which was a major overhaul of the system.

too bad im bad with this game but i love it.