Baldur's gate is probably among the most well known games in the RPG community, sadly, I haven't had time to play any of them yet. I should play them though.
Baldur's Gate 2 is, still, probably my favorite BioWare game to date (I own BG, BG 2, NWN, KotOR, Jade Empire, and Mass Effect). I don't think any other BioWare title I own has got as much attention from me as BG 2. Sure, saying that its engine is obsolete is an understatement, but it is a standing testament to the idea of story and gameplay development outshining visual quality, as there are still a good number of people who play BG 2. My only complaint about it is the number of times it crashed when my buddy and I were playing through it co-operatively earlier this year.
LionHeart said:
I read a review on it in a pc magazine, it sounded a bit average to me
All I can say is that the review must not have been well-constructed, or the author just wasn't into turn-based RPG's. If you're willing to put aside the age of the game and its visuals (as I don't know whether or not you prefer titles that have a more polished look), and you really enjoy turn-based RPG's, then I doubt you'll be disappointed. BG 1 and BG 2, as far as I could tell at the time, were anything but average. I could, honestly, die a happy man if the average PC RPG was as polished, fleshed-out, and compelling as BG 2, hah.