IWD just railroads you into the next combat area. No freedom to speak of. BG does the opposite. Full freedom of traveling about. It isn't about just wandering into the next hub of enemies over and over and over again.

Don't get me wrong. I like IWD quite a bit.

*nod* Icewind Dale is VERY linear. While certain dungeons may offer a few different paths to complete them, you have almost zero flexibility in the order you visit each map/dungeon. Whereas in Baldur's Gate, once you finish the Prologue, about 85% of the world is open to you. Granted, you may not survive, but you can at least go almost every map except for the Cloakwood Forest and Baldur's Gate straight away at Level 1.

Icewind Dale is like playing through a campaign where the DM has built (or purchased) a classic dungeon crawl module.
Baldur's Gate is more akin to a DM who has built a campaign world. Of course, I think both types of campaigns can be extremely fun when crafted by a solid DM -- you just need to understand what you're getting into with each.

Iwd is kind of like an isometric Eye of the Beholder game, really.

Iwd has very good replay value, though. Lots of different parties to try out.

Nothing to do with Icewind Dale. Looks like spam. Down-rep and report to get rid.

Enjoying the discussion, even though I think it's splitting hairs. If I had to pick only one, it'd be the BG games.

But I don't have to pick only one! Love-Love-Love 'em both!

Also want to reiterate what was previously said:

IWD allowing you to self-create all six characters is not an advantage over BG1-2, because you can also do this in the BG games as well, if that is your preference.

I love-love-love my Imoen, Jahiera, Khalid, Dynaheir, Minsc and Boo.

I love-love-love my six self-created characters built for the treacherous tundra.

Saul Good man!