Baldur’s Gate 1 + 2 Recap (Updated)

Before the upcoming release of Baldur’s Gate 3 on August 3rd, 2023, check out this quick recap of the previous games, Baldur’s Gate 1 and Baldur’s Gate 2. We go over the main story beats you need to know, break down the events of Descent into Avernus and how they link into Baldur’s Gate 3, as well as point out some familiar faces you might come across.
It has been 24 years since players first got to experience the virtual lands of the Forgotten Realms in the original Baldur’s Gate, so while there are plenty of folk out there excited for the upcoming Baldur’s Gate 3, they may not have played through BioWare’s 1998 RPG gem. We’ll look back at Baldur’s Gate 1 + 2 through the various adventures of Gorion’s Ward, Sarevok, Minsc, Volo and the rest of the gang to recount the main stories of the base games, as well as the Siege of Dragonspear and Throne of Bhaal expansions.
0:00 Intro
0:27 Baldur’s Gate
7:37 Baldur’s Gate: Siege Of Dragonspear
10:12 Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows Of Amn
17:37 Baldur’s Gate II: Throne Of Bhaal
19:48 Baldur’s Gate III
#baldursgate #baldursgate3 #gaming

[@XenophonQ]

Jaheira is also a Druid, meaning that lore-wise she likely ages at 1/10th the usual rate for her species.

[@KBzaz]

Except in the game she hasn’t undergone the rituals to extend her lifespan.

[@XenophonQ]

@@KBzaz if you played with her in BG1 and 2 she hits the correct level and there’s no reason she couldn’t have. But in BG3 she’s only level 8 naturally so you’re probably right.

[@SimiCantStandYaBits]

Thats hot

[@Thatwalrus27]

@@SimiCantStandYaBitsindeed it is

[@elflaiteculiao879]

@@XenophonQ In Act 3, you can go to Jaheira's house in Baldur's Gate. She has a secret basement in which there's a scroll that contains the ritual to extend life. If you take her there, she'll tell you that she was tempted to perform the ritual but decided to live her life with her natural lifespan.

[@Tchnfrq]

larian looked at divinity 2, thought „not masterpiece-y enough“, went crazy and made bg3 im 60 hours into early access and cant wait for the full release.

[@marcusmalone]

This is a 100% legitimate quote from devs 👏

[@connorbanepoop]

I thought I HATED turn based isometric RPG’s. My 12 hours DAILY binge of baldurs gate 3 proved that was a lie

[@degreeskelvin3025]

Bro I remember playing Divinity 1 and being blown away by the elemental mechanics, thinking like, "who's gonna top this?" Larian ofcourse. DOS2 drops and I'm like, "oh nah, we've peaked. like how can anyone beat THIS." And then Larian was like hold my beer and here we are with BG3.

[@hedzsooo]

Ditto

[@schmidth]

@@connorbanepoop Divinity OS are crazy fun games, both solo and co op

[@Nakalida]

Calling it now: The Dark Urge in BG3 is a bhaalspawn

[@jaded-harper]

Tadahhhh

[@023Whiplash]

Duhh

[@whoseuncle3702]

Nailed it

[@lulatch_kek]

@@whoseuncle3702 why are you here 6 months late

[@Elias.ghl0304]

He knows to much

[@KareemHarper]

Aaah the memories. It will be great to see Minsc and Boo again.

[@Silvitewolf]

go for the eyes boo go for the eyes

[@thomasb4422]

Minsc and Boo stand ready!

[@4MonsterhunterStory]

Minsc yes? 😂 You are a funny guy

[@hottincup]

A den of stinking evil. Cover your nose Boo! We will leave no crevice untouched!

[@spyral00]

They barely are in bg3 though. But I'm not gonna complain, I feel satisfied after 200h of adventure.

[@sprcow]

As someone who finished Throne of Baal 22 years ago, I appreciate the recap!

[@kuakilyissombroguwi]

I'm 50hrs into BG3 and not even done with Act 1. Have only run into Volo so far. Such an epic masterpiece of a game!

[@cleangoblin2021]

what were you doing to have 50 hours in act 1? Im sure ive exhausted most contents there in just 25 hours

[@kuakilyissombroguwi]

@@cleangoblin2021 The first time around I did a lot of meandering. Finished it way quicker the second time around.

[@watyhu99]

@@cleangoblin2021 ? how there is a ridiculous amount of content in act 1. Theres the whole thing w the goblin camp, the abandoned town, theres the githyanki, the entirety of the underdark. etc.

[@shigure9093]

Some people get more immerse on small things than others, I personally get immerse and spend more time thinking and reading useless books

[@foodforthotz6546]

@@watyhu99which you run into volo a number of ways which is why he’s confused smh

[@josephvanwyk2088]

"You MUST gather your party before traveling forth" , "You MUST gather your party before traveling forth", You MUST gather your party before traveling forth." - 90% of the waiting in these two games.

[@YHofSuburbia]

I love how specific this was, please keep making this kind of stuff

[@madestmadhatter]

Shout out to the folks who played baulders gate dark alliance growing up, only remembering it as baulders gate, and became very confused when he never mentioned clearing our the rats or fighting a beholder.

[@Remrau]

With all the years since playing the old games, this was really nice refresher. Great video, kudos!

[@bookbagfox]

BG1 and BG2 Enhanced are both absolutely worth playing by the way. You’ll need to Google a few unintuitive things but so long as you know that high Constitution is important regardless of your class, that you need to have spells ready to deal with things like level drain and petrification sometimes, and that AC and THAC0 are better if they’re lower rather than higher, you’ll be fine. Plus there’s a ‘story’ mode in the Enhanced versions which makes it impossible to die and makes you do extremely high damage so you can’t lose.

[@Mychannelbandung]

Are BG1 and BG2 also turn base?

[@shanebullard7995]

Traps are the most op it’s actually unfair.

[@12hennis]

@@Mychannelbandung nope

[@user-pt7qv9ir8x]

@@Mychannelbandung no, its real time combat with pause (space button on keyboard :)) to issue commands.

[@jimmym3352]

@@shanebullard7995 Nothing like killing Irenicus with traps. Good times.

[@satinthrone]

great vid, thanks for the catch-up! been a year or two since i played through BG 1&2 lol

[@hoabinh555]

Thanks. Played BG 1 and 2 and the rest back in the day but must say I forgot most of the story only remembering parts. This sums it up nicely.

[@Zynarch97]

Very good summary of BG1 and BG2 story. Bought BG3 week ago and really wanted to know some backstory before starting the game in earnest.

[@aarphi1984]

As someone who is a big D&D fan as well as having loved Divinity and what Larian brings to the gaming world, I am very excited!

[@troophq]

Still have all my Baldur's Gate games such great games with some great dialog.

[@AntwKats]

Go for the eyes Boo, go for the eyes

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

My sword, meet Evil. Evil, meet my SWORD!

[@stuminnis4050]

This statement needs several more exclamation points

[@guji369]

if you guys havent played the originals, bg1 may feel little outdated, but if you can play through to bg2, it is still the best rpg experience you can get for now. Basically relatively modern bioware rpgs like mass effect series and dragon age origins are dumded down version of bg2. Much deeper and complex main and side quests that react to your choices, npcs that has deep dialogues, and much deeper companion quests, dialogues, and romances.

[@GengarPoKeWK]

Better than divinity original sin 2??

[@guji369]

@@GengarPoKeWK I think so. I love dos and it is for me the best game of the last decade , but dialogues, companion quests, romances are definetelu better for bg2

[@Ludacar]

BG2 is my all time favorite RPG....the story, the characters, the sheer power you gain towards the end of the series. It's truly epic. I can't wait for 3, I loved DoS2 as well and think BG is in good hands with Larian.

[@lucasbarros822]

Wrath of the ritheous and pillars of eternety are pretty top noch

[@Amonny]

@@GengarPoKeWK Way better. In every aspect. Pffff...

[@shawnscott8374]

Watched various recaps while waiting for BG3 to launch and this one was by far the best!

[@melxb]

mortismal gaming supercuts are great, of course they are a hour or 2 long, but it shows you everything important story wise without the in between unimportant bits, gameplay walking padded bits, etc...can shorten the length too by watching at 1.5 speed is what i usually do

[@melxb]

i also like oni black magic recap channel, but don't think he recapped the baldur's gate series, still worth checking out for the many other great games he did recap...gamer's little playground is my go to as far as non commentary game story cut scenes, he includes in game story/dialogue moments as well and little bit of the gameplay that connects it all for better context so it isn't all just straight up cut scene after cut scene feeling disconnected and like u randomly jumped from environment to environment and such, makes it less jarring

[@FuncleChuck]

Man, I got 7 minutes in before everything just started swirling into an incomprehensible mess where the words no longer had any meaning. I think that means I’m going to love BG3

[@capnbingbong7833]

Same, and I love it, so you're right

[@Gothic_Goodboy]

Very thankful for this! Became very interested in BG3 and wanted to know the overall summary/story of the first two baldur's gate games. Working on downloading bg3 to play it finally, can't wait!

[@thundersquidthursday4035]

Hype! Great recap! Keep up the good work.

[@t.t6294]

I played both games back in 2020. BG2 is still a god-tier RPG. highly recommended. I'm glad larian is making this. Modern bioware isn't capable of creating a worthy sequel. they'd ruin this like their other IPs

[@megaTherionXX]

Bioware is pretty much done... sadly also Obsidian wasn't too successful - but they also didn't have the required finances (before being bought by Microsoft)

[@bluemoon1716]

@@megaTherionXX pillars of eternity series was amazing but yeah I agree, I think larian was the best choice to make baldur's gate 3

[@jokersauce5100]

@@bluemoon1716 tyranny too! But I think they kinda missed with the outer worlds.

[@Gurumaniac4000]

@@jokersauce5100tyranny was so awesome with the different paths and endings and a fresh new setting.

[@roach9397]

Just because I see others mentioning it I have to ask, did anyone else have trouble getting into Pillars of Eternity? I think Divinity 2 is *chef’s kiss* and am very much looking forward to Baldur’s Gate 3, but PoE just seemed kinda… empty to me? Is there a point where it comes together more, should I stick it out to see if I come to enjoy it?

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

Thank you for this recapitulation video!

[@PerfectSense77]

I played BG2 again recently and it stands up so well. God-tier game. Still the best after so many years.

[@etholus1000]

3 is a great successor too, loving my co-op campaign with my friend

[@MrVinceHamilton]

Many thanks for this recap. (I humbly bow in your direction)

[@nickandres7829]

I'm glad for this, since to this day I had no idea what happens in Baldur's Gate 1 after you run into the first mob of enemies.

[@StarBoundFables]

Wowza, the series has certainly come a long way Just started playing BG3 yesterday, (it's my 1st D&D game,) & I'm loving it! Playing as a Dragonborn fighter who's aiming to become an Eldritch Knight tank

[@doughnutdoney997]

Great idea to look back at the first two games of this classic series before trying the (brilliant) BG 3.

[@gregoreisenhorn5093]

Whenever anyone asks my favourite game I always say BG2. I must have played through it 50 times and *still* didn't see and do everything. I'm currenty 50 hours into act 1 on bg3 and loving it just as much, it's a true sequel and may the gods smile on Larian for their stellar work.

[@billtang79]

I’m really hoping the next project Larian studios does is the next incarnation of Neverwinter nights. No, not the MMO. Like a standalone Neverwinter Nights

[@38procentkrytyk]

Have you seen their Master Mode for Divinity OS 2? They have some good ideas and bad. For example limiting players to just 4

[@HyperfixationWizard]

Thanks for the recap, I tried to play the first two games and got to chapter 6 of the first game before realizing I'd hate all the jank that comes with them a lot more if I'm playing them *only* to be prepared for Baldur's Gate 3...

[@mehmoh7828]

Are you guys hyped for the release? I know I am :)

[@Eskeletor_210]

I remember getting this early early access and praying that it would get cooked right and man I can’t wait to see the rest of the world

[@ucef9945]

I've been counting the days left for over a month now

[@resmarted]

Thanks for watching, don't forget to like and subscribe!

[@personaslates]

Im too old and disillusioned after years of hype let-down. I really do hope its good, but im not holding my breath

[@johnnyv9024]

HYPE TRAIN!!!!!!! 🚂

[@silvandarart]

Thank you, exactly what i needed as i start bg3 :)

[@TheKlaun9]

As someone who hasn't played those games and only played DnD a couple of times, this video may as well be in Japanese. So many names and details

[@baflabies]

we rly got blessed with this realease ! Such a good game!

[@C36B]

Thanks for this!

[@Afroman_Gaming]

I have been really interested in starting this game on ps5 when it launches next month. I have never been a pc gamer but hope to get into it at some point. Basically when I can afford to build a decent machine lol. That being said, I never got the chance to play the first games. This is a really good recap and if I do decide to get into 3 I will be more knowledgeable for it.

[@chrisdear1033]

I wish there wasn’t mentions of who would return in BG3 in this video ( I haven’t played the early access or watched any interviews). I would have rather have that be a surprise, but otherwise I appreciate the recap.

[@sanserof7]

I recommend everyone to actually play these games if they haven't yet, they still hold up today (especially BG2 in my opinion). You'll have to get used to the combat a bit because its an old game, but once you get used to it these games are amazing.

[@ylzanilsor5637]

I remember got betrayed by one of my team member after giving him the best sword. And next I got one member disintegrated by a sort of dark knight. Not to forget time stop magic from Lich King/Sorcerer

[@orlandoriviere2]

I wasn’t familiar with these much more than a very basic plot, and now I’m realising how much the DnD supplement Minsc and Boo’s journal of villainy is just 5e-ifying these games (among other things that it does less successfully)

[@neofulcrum5013]

Thanks for this because I did not know what was happening

[@jacobhalcarz6381]

Who else is feeling sick on Thursday?!

[@ImBarryScottCSS]

As soon as you said Scar I heard "I serve the flaming fist!" in my mind. Moments later you played the soundbyte and it was identical 😂 I haven't been excited about or I should say I have actively suppressed any hype and excitement about games for a long time now, after years of disappointments and lies I've just kind of taken the view that it's better not to believe anything until you see it. I didn't even know BG3 was near release until a couple of weeks ago, but I have to say it's getting very difficult not to be excited. I haven't played it yet but I sincerely hope it lives up to the hype it's getting. BG through ToB are some of my most special childhood memories and it those games actually get a worthy successor it will be a dream I didn't imagine possible.

[@BlockheadJiujitsu]

I've grown up AROUND D&D but not knowing all the techniques and best ways to use spells etc. I have tried several times to play through BG2 but as with most isometric RPGs like Divinity OS, I end up getting a bit lost, running into things I'm not at the right level for, and eventually kind of bored because it's massive and takes a lot of focus plus trial and error. I'm hoping BG3 makes it even more accessible for casuals like me because I like elements of RPGs but once the story stalls a little, I can't find a way to finish them.

[@FriedProfile]

I have never played one of these games and I am loving every minute of it. I know Dungeons and Dragons is a tabletop roleplaying game where one person tells a story and the rest of the players roll dice to interact. That is all of my knowledge of this world and franchise and I am absolutely loving it. Going in blind, the world feels lived in and like it has its own culture that has been shaped for decades or centuries. This is a huge game and I am absolutely loving it, hopefully this isn't the last isometric RPG game I get into

[@NoobsUnited9000]

I have had the same problem with similar games. I've been trying to get through Baldurs Gate 3 and im still having the same issue. I recognize it's a good game, but I don't think it's for me or you.

[@dannywarbucks11]

That's a bit of a misnomer. DnD is more about the entire group telling a story together, with the DM tying all the story threads into a cohesive weave. @@FriedProfile

[@SimonGrayDK]

Korevas isn't "Sarevok" backwards...? It's an anagram for sure, but Korevas is "Saverok" backwards.

[@demonetizeme]

I think in the game it is actually Koveras/Sarevok (he does seem to pronounce Sarevok correctly). It is just that when he realizes that they are anagrams of each other and he puts up the big graphic of the two names he actually interchanges the R and the V (and definitely pronounces Korevas as opposed to Koveras).

[@prophetharambe1560]

The boss stage at 19:00 looks almost like Cazadors boss fight room!

[@mikemhz]

There's a little reference to the flaming fist's tendency to make false charges (zhentarim).

[@heldaneurbanus5135]

I think I speak for many when I say "You and Boo and I! Hamsters and rangers everywhere! Rejoice!"

[@bjascmmas]

BG2’s menu theme is the BEST by far, hands down

[@smallweinersteve8808]

0:08 Kassadin my beloved

[@miguelgomes6849]

BG2 still my favorite game amazing

[@kyuven]

And these recaps even had to skip some parts. Like, I'm just going out on a limb here and we'll see in a few days if I'm right or wrong, but there's a party member in BG1 and BG2 named Viconia. She's: 1) A drow (there are numerous drow in BG3, one's even a potential party member) 2) A cleric of Shar (we have a cleric of Shar as a party member) 3) Didn't EXPLICITLY die (though if she romances the MC in BG2, she does die) 4) Has a way of viewing Shar that is very, VERY similar to how Shadowheart talks about her. I'm not saying she's definitely due to show up, but if the head of Shadowheart's sect turns out to be Viconia or at least WAS Viconia in the same way Keldorn's Shadow Druid doctrine makes an appearance (there's a book that's basically his manifesto among someone's belongings) I won't be surprised in the slightest.

[@sanserof7]

Most importantly she's hot

[@leonenjoyer]

Maybe she shouldn't have showed up lol

[@zoupuh]

idk how i’d never heard of bg before bg3, but with how crazy popular bg3 got it makes sense😅

[@TheGrandGamers]

I'd seen a picture of my 10th missing companion in bg3.... I'd also found a letter in Waukeen's Rest alluding that someone stole some ranger statue. How does someone steal a statue, I thought? Things are beginning to make sense...

[@oskulock]

This is great reminder if you've already beaten all the games but if you haven't then you really should just play them. Baldur's Gate 2 is one of the best games ever made.

[@Childofbhaal]

BG2 is still one of the best games I’ve ever played

[@fletch4231]

SPACE HAMPTER?!! COUNT ME IN!!! ((I already bought it on steam (I meet minimum specs but medium settings seem possible) to support the game but now I must play and seek out this mystical hampter of the stars))

[@BartGasiewski]

lol, I had to replay it, i thought right at the end it was said, "you can start your journey a little Balder and a little wiser" lol, but sadly just bolder :P

[@laxxboy20]

Do the Dark Alliance BG games tie in at all or are they a separate time/storyline?

[@hostandersson4301]

Like over 20 years ago when I played BG2, I have no memory of the thieves and vampires. But I got stuck fighting in a castle and reclaiming it from a Troll that could only be killed by fire damge?! Took me forever. And then I sort of 'owned' the castle after that? Was I stuck on a sidequest :D

[@taranoreilly5101]

Yes that was Nalia's side quest to reclaim her family's home. You can unlock that pretty early in the game

[@matthewsolis6069]

By the time I finish watching this BG3 will drop its 1.0 release!

[@Toxicfox63]

Fricken Jim Cummings as Minsc. No wonder he's a favorite haha

[@REXS0L]

excellent recap

[@SunnyLich]

I'm kind of disappointed bg3 didn't mention or even namedrop Gromph. In the books, granted, Gromph resides in his new archmage tower near Neverwinter. Would have been cool to have a tie in with the Drow. The Neverwinter game does tend to tie in with the novels more often, however.

[@reconsider140]

Having only played Bg3 I'm noticing that Bhaal id basically the darth vader of the baldur's gate franchise

[@Sean12248]

As nice as this recap is........if you haven't played BG 1 and 2 do yourself a favor and get it. It's soo much better than a summary.

[@canyonntt6969]

Did you just call Minsc True Neutral?

[@barryjames73]

Good vid. FYI Minsc is chaotic good and not true neutral.

[@PerfectSense77]

I thought that was really weird and didn’t sound right. He always goes on about fighting for goodness.

[@NieroshaiTheSable]

I can't believe you got me to watch the same video twice because you added a few seconds of extra footage...

[@Mak10z]

Miniature GIANT space hamster*

[@som3rsault]

5:48 it's Sarevok, not Saverok

[@Amonny]

Well, they clearly took a synopsis from the internet and wrote it wrong lol. Can't see these journos bothering to play BG1 and 2.

[@gottalovethetube]

This guy has clearly played the original, because this is very well done apart from the koveras error

[@Australia943]

Just finished BG1 on mobile. Can’t wait to play BG3 🤩

[@anwensretroarchive9768]

Ok, what about the first Baldur's Gate original expansion "Tales of the Sword Coast"?

[@SL1D3YB0I]

I enjoyed this video

[@josephdunagan8187]

Good video

[@Keenath]

"I can't believe I didn't realize until now that KOREVAS is SAREVOK backwards" well part of the problem is probably that you aren't saying the name right, it's Koveras.

[@SoldierSpiderx]

they alreay said you don't have to play both game to understand the storyline but it do help those and only 1 more day

[@totheinfinitepower5388]

At 5:48 I believe you’ve got your r’s and v’s mixed up!

[@PooriaDan]

It is "Sarevok" and "Koveras". You keep mistaking their spelling and pronounciation. No hard feelings tho, it is confusing.

[@Amonny]

Because they never played those games.

[@avesatanae]

Shadowheart is the best companion ever.

[@TheGreatestJediOfAllTime]

Shadowbabe

[@Thatwalrus27]

I’d say overall it’s Jaheira from BG2 But in BG3 it’s def shadow heart since Jaheira can’t be romanced in it

[@MLoulouk23]

@@Thatwalrus27 Jaheira and Neera

[@GirishMiGa]

Thanks for this

[@Dilandau88]

ITS ALMOST HERE

[@uberhuber7903]

Uhm? that's not the final battle of Baldurs gate 1? Am i missing something. After the doppleganger and sav fight you go through the labrynth and fight him again.

[@Benjamin-mj9pd]

I remember my dad playing this when I was a kid.

[@Henrik815]

Minsc is chaotic good, not neutral.

[@erikovg]

Minsc is neutral good in BG1 and chaotic good in BG2.

[@023Whiplash]

I’m sorry what? Minsc and his miniature space hamster boo? No… boo is a giant miniature space hamster

[@mdfm28]

good recap. But the events told mentioned missing context and so little information about character mentioned, but the video good enough for 20min. recap Like when you recount the intro of the throne of Bhaal, you did mention where the character was and what the character/player did, but failed to mention that the land is in chaos because of the war between Bhaalspawn and there's a hunt persecution of children of bhaal. It seems need to watch more in-depth videos to know more about the lore before I jump into the game tho

[@nateinky01]

Lycanthropy made Shadows of Ahm super easy.

[@direnova6284]

Thankyou.

[@chickenmonger123]

BioWare did the first Baldurs Gate? Wild.

[@Bodharas]

Icewind Dale was also an amazing game made by the same people. Where is my boy Drizzt though?

[@gg836]

Wonder if there is in the future a remake of the first two BG games?

[@casedistorted]

i miss the days of the gametrailers recaps and retrospectives.

[@ffffffffffffffffffffffffffff5]

I played BG1 but not BG2, so.. this is nice. So far, BG3 DOES NOT feel like the previous two but still feels like a perfect sequel to the two, it honestly feels more like a Bioware game than a Larian game, reminds me a lot of Dragon Age. It's been a blast so far, I just wish character customization was better. lol

[@doctorqwerty]

Look into mods for a better character creator

[@AndreaNoellie]

It really feels like Dragon Age Origins when I play it. I can only hope Dreadwolf will be this good, but I doubt it lol

[@AlbertoMartinez765]

MINSK and BOO

[@sterlingwirth7931]

Heya, it’s me Imoen!

[@spacechannelfiver]

It's a minature GIANT space hamster

[@mpbMKE]

How hard was BG1 in 1998? I cheated my characters to straight-25 stats plus the best weapons and armor, and I *still* needed a dozen or more tries to defeat Sarevok. 😂