Once the school semester finally ends I plan on buying Freespace 2 from GOG and finally checking out this game I've heard so many good things about. But my question is do I need to play Freespace first? Is there story elements that carry over that might be ruined if I play Freespace 2 first?
I know it might seem odd to some to check out the sequel before the original but I often skip over the prequels to check out what most people consider the best in the series. My question simply is will I be ruining the experience for myself or is each game contained within it's own story?
Thanks!

I went straight to FS2 and when I came to play FS1 I didn't get anything really spoiled. I found out how we get shields, the missions filled in how the Terran-Vasudan caught up to the tech the Shivans had.
It felt to me that FS1 was a prequel because I played FS2, so I don't believe any enjoyment will be spoiled if you got FS2 then FS1.
I do recommend getting FS open though, you can find the link elsewhere. Getting FS port also allows FS2 graphics with FS1 missions. I still bought FS1 to pay for the ported missions.
IMO, it doesn't matter which game you play first both are absolutely full of win.

IMO, if you want to enjoy both fully, you should play them in order - FS 1 first, then FS2. There are a few plot points and surprises in FS2 which are much more effective (in the "chills down your spine" sense) if you've played the first one.

Hey, do as I did, buy BOTH FS1 and FS2 from GOG, then go to www.fsoinstaller.com
So from there you install FreeSpaceOpen on to FS2, with it comes along FSport -mod, which allows playing FS1 with todays graphics and its just spectacular.
I just did this myself yesterday and it is not hard. The FSO is a free project to enhance FreeSpace by player community.
FSOinstaller is just 20mb but with it you select components to install so read quide carefully, after selections it downloads them from servers, mine took 1,9GB so there is seriously new graphics & goodies coming in =)

I guess I'm going with Freespace first then. And I will definitely check out the mod after I beat the games the first time.
Thanks!

the mod does nothing but update the graphics, so there isn't any gameplay changes of any sort that come with it... If i were you i'd install it before playing through 1, there's really no reason not to unless you're hardcore about experiencing it the way it was originally.

Well according to the fellows on hardlight the open engine does change missile behaviour from FS1 to be much better at chasing ships, so it apparently does make a difference to difficulty. Personally i'd play 1 first for the retro value but it's personal.

I'd have to say that playing them in order is better from a story standpoint. Yeah, yeah, story shmory, you just want to blow things up. But there's a logic to it. FS1 sets up FS2 so beautifully. Even if you don't do the whole updated graphics thing, FS1 really prepares you for the awesomeness that is FS2. Don't cheat yourself. Play the first one first. Experience the saga from the very beginning. You'll thank yourself later.

The FS1 campaigns are easily worth the price of admission, and FSport works brilliantly. There's no reason to deprive yourself of either.
The gameplay differences between FS1 and FSO are extremely minor. But if playing the FS1 campaigns on hard in FSO just isn't hard enough, you can always use the improved FSO AI - which isn't used by default for FSport.