I love Final Fantasy (haven't played XIII or X-2), Dragon Quest (all), Chrono Trigger, jRPGs etc. I have tried playing Baldur's Gate (ala Tutu) and I am just having a really tough slog of it. It just seems so boring. I'm also having a hard time with the static stats as that is completly foreign to me. I feel like my characters just don't grow (though I know they must be because it's becoming easier to kill certain creatures).

Anyway, the reason why I am posting in this forum:
Is NWN a better starting point for AD&D cRPG's? Or am I just a jRPG guy? (on a side note, I did enjoy Might and Magic VI & VII as well as Gothic 1 & 2 but those seem like way different cRPG's)

The thing I like best about RPG's are taking super wimpy lowly characters and watching them grow into super amazing characters. Story and soundtrack come a close second and third.

Any advice?

Opinions will vary, but I'd say it is.

There'll be even more bewildering amount of stats to watch and choices to make, but on average NWN is more forgiving and less a strategy game. And if that's your thing, you can leave the stats and levelup choices for the autopilot.

The game mechanics and playing style are similar, but not the same, as in Knights of the Old Republic (which was built on the foundation of NWN)

You'll begin with someone having a hard time against goblins and rats and end up with a demigod who takes on dragons and giants and demons.

But then, maybe you're a jRPG fella and NWN sucks as well.

If you liked the Gothic series, over-complication/difficulty probably isn't the issue you're having with BGTuTu. It sounds more like you just don't like that style of gameplay.

NWN is much simpler. What I've played so far is very much like an MMO - choose your target, choose abilities, and wait for him to flail his axe around and kill things. Occasionally you get a henchman who gets stuck in rooms and won't follow you. It's also incredibly easy compared to BG - my guy rapes everything in a few hits as opposed to my BG Fighter who could sit in one place swinging axes forever without landing a strike until level 5. At the level cap of 9 he'd hit something and it would explode. My NWN guy did that from level 1, Just feels kinda cheap IMO.

Personally I like BG better because the 2nd edition ruleset appeals to me more, but NWN is most likely more your thing. Just be aware it's all behind-the-scenes number crunching rather than skill-based like Gothic.

But since it sounds like you like games where it's just you as opposed to a party, NWN is a better candidate than BG.

Don't get it if you have an Intel integrated graphics chip. Nvidia drivers are usually ok, ATI cards have a workaround if you get crippling lag.

The third edition rules used in NWN very much lend themselves to the 'grow in power as you level up' type of gameplay. I'm not sure if NWN would be appealing to you, but given your criteria, I'd say it's likely a far better fit than the BG series.

Thanks guys! That's really helpful. This sounds like a better bet. Odds are there will be something between the OC, the expansions, and the user made content that will be up my alley!

Which reminds me. This is not mentioned in my good modules thread as it's not really my cup of tea.

But I have to admit The Rose of Eternity is one hell of a well made module. (There's a second part as well.)

It basically takes NWN and pushes it ways toward jRPG's, almost making it one.
The build quality, action and writing is top notch and of amazingly high standard.

But since I'm not into jrpg's, I didn't enjoy this enough to normally recommend it.
(much as like I wouldn't normally recommend anyone to play any episode of final fantasy either)

But you sound like the intended audience...

If you just play NWN as a warrior you should have no problems with the campaign and to get used to the rules/gameplay. As a mage you will need a bit more knowledge about the magic and so on. You can build a lot of different builds with AD&D and in NWN. I think it is one of the core strength of NWN.

Thanks Jarmo and everyone else. This is all golden information and very helpful. I've been convinced!