builds upon the first game wonderfully, pioneering formulas that define both crpgs and bioware itself to this day. the narrative and mechanical culmination of your journey that began in candlekeep, and it's only really towards the midpoint of throne of bhaal that things turn to the obnoxious wrt how fights are set up.
yeah idk what more i can say. it's a classic for a reason. if you like rpgs, play it and its predecessor. story mode exists if AD&D makes you want to tear your hair out.