What's up GOG? Hope we're all well.

I made a topic months ago now about what game to pick up from here, and I remember I got given a bunch. I've played through a lot, and bounced between them. I decided it's time to finally look into a D&D RPG (Baldur's Gate, Planescape, and Neverwinter) since I've gave Divinity Original Sin a whirl.

In my last topic, I explained I was used to like Oblivion-like RPGs, but I guess that situation has slightly changed. So yeah, I guess I'm wondering which one to grab and maybe you guys could tell me why.

Peace and respecta.

If you've played actual pen-and-paper D&D (and enjoyed it), my highest recommendation would be Temple of Elemental Evil. Just make sure to use the unofficial patch (you'll find a Stickied link to it in the ToEE Forum here on GOG).

I haven't afraid, although this looks quite good.

Baldur's Gate is huge. It's Bioware, and I think it is more emblamatic of Bioware than of D&D. The rules take some getting used to, but it's the story that's most importanct.

Planescape Torment is D&D in name only. It's a one-of-a-kind excersice in writing - turning game tropes on their ears.

Temple of Elemental Evil is mostly about gameplay. Story is secondary. Learning the rules is hard but rewarding. It's a challenging game, especially if you don't knoe the rules inside and out before you start.

I would suggest starting with Neverwinter Nights II. Enough mechanics to challenge you, plenty of story to keep your interest. Biggest drawback is that damn camera.

Have fun!

Planescape was easy enough for a newbie like me to get into - though I really need to get back to it....

The first game I bought here was Neverwinter Nights: Diamond. It uses the 3e rules, character creation/ building is complex, but fun. You get used to the camera, IMO NWN2 had a more difficult camera issue. Gameplay is pretty user friendly and using the radial menus for inventory and spells worked fine. Definitely setup some quick spells/ actions in bar below the main screen. The story for the OC is not as engaging as Baldur's Gate. The expansions Shadows of Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark are quite good. There is also tons of user created modules you can play through. Literally thousands of hours.

It is hard to go wrong with the sale prices. Good luck.

Eye of the Beholder might interest you, although GOG doesn't sell it. It's based somewhat on D&D rules, though it is a first person dungeon crawl. It has an emphasis on combat and exploration and is fairly minimal on plot and dialogue.

If you aren't familiar with D&D rules it could be a good place to start because it's easy to learn.

What exactly are you "up for"? Are you specifically looking for something from the D&D ruleset, or, what I more figure is true, you're simply looking at the older-ish isometric RPGs of high-standing and not sure where to start? With your mention of going from Oblivion-like RPGs to having tried Divinty: OS, I'm guessing you more just want to try out some of the more story/rpg-element involved isometrics?

Here's my breakdown: really you can pick any of these IMO and you won't be sorry, just pick whichever appeals most for whatever reasons.

Torment - If text-heavy doesn't deter you. If you're looking for the best writing, story, characters, and one of the most interesting worlds, this is it. If you want something that has a bit better combat and a bit less heavy-thinking philosophical examinations of being, try one of the others I mention. Doesn't feel as polished combat-wise as BG/IWD/NWN.

Fallout/Fallout 2 - not D&D at all, and this is turn-based combat. Great all over: story and dialogues, atmosphere and world, characters. Takes a little getting used to the feel of it because of the older TB feel, but shouldn't really hinder you at all.

Arcanum - again not D&D, just of the similar RPGs. Unique world, great story, quests, dialogues. Again, not super-smooth by any means, but one of the best RPGs if you're looking to play the greats.

BG/BG2 - More polished all around than the others mentioned so far. More combat heavy, but still focused on the story and quests. If you want a D&D specifically game, do these above IWD or NWN games IMO, BGs are way way better. IWD/2 and NWN/2 are just okay (Mask of the Betrayer being something exceptional to those though.)

Be glad to give more input if you want.

Tossing in a clear vote for Baldur's Gate 1, arguably the ideal place to start as far as D&D (and Infinity Engine games in particular) are concerned.

Baldur's Gate can be easily understood even if you've never played a D&D game before, doesn't take as long to complete as Baldur's Gate 2 and it's not at all hard if you choose one of the easier classes such as a paladin.
Games like Icewind Dale focus very much on combat, Planecape Torment focuses more on the story but Baldur's Gate finds a most agreeable balance between both and never gets annoying in either category.
One of the things that I like best about Baldur's Gate 1 is that it's never grindy and the risk of burning out on this game is lower than e.g. its sequel.

I would agree with Torment if for no other reason than it's one character. Get comfortable with that and then you can move onto you BGs and Icewinds which use parties. I prefer Icewind because it does tend to be the more simple and violent of the group; BG while great has actual puzzles and things that require thought and I ain't never been real good at that! :P

The two NWN games and Planescape are the easiest to get into gameplay wise . BG 1 and 2 can be a little tricky at first if you never played a game like it before .

I would also suggest Baldur's Gate as an entry point. It's a big adjustment if you're used to game-of-the-day play - this is from an era when you were expected to learn a game, rather than just letting it rip and being a Level One superhero out of the gate - but it's not painful, just unaccustomed. Once you get the mechanics down, which should not require multiple restarts, it's a pleasure to play. For best results, if you are uncertain about how to roll a good character when you launch, expect to play the intro plus another 30 minutes to an hour to figure out some of the basics, and then re-start with a character that you may have learned how to maximize a little better. (Or, alternately, read a guide, though I find that less fun in general.)

Soon enough you will meet Minsc, who is one of the greatest gaming characters of all time. Meeting Minsc is still one of the highlights of my long gaming history.

Planescape is one of the true classics of the genre, but it will be so much more fun to play if you've had a solid Bioware D&D game under your belt first. You'll enjoy it just fine if you take it on early, but if you wait a little bit, it will be all the richer.

Keep in mind that D&D 2 (BG, IWD1, P:T...) and D&D3 (NWN, IWD2...) are completely different rulesets. D&D2 is more restrictive and a bit more complicated, but personally I liked it more. It's generally easier to move from 2 to 3 than the other way round, which is why I suggest you start with a D&D 2 game.

BG was one of my first RPGs and the first time I heard about D&D and Forgotten Realms. I'd vote for it as well.

Planescapte Torment is an amazing game but like misteryo said "it's a one-of-a-kind excersice in writing - turning game tropes on their ears." I wouldn't suggest it as a place to start.

Icewind Dale is a good place to start too because you create your whole party, so you can experience all classes/races.

IWD 2 IMO.. I felt it was the easier one to get into.

ToEE is akin to being thrown into the deep end.

BG2, sure. You'll have trouble actually finding a storyline worth mentioning in the original game :-P Still, yes, BG is a good entry point, a solid balance between storytelling, world building and combat.