Slight necropost, but I do know a few things about the game if you're still wondering. Mechanically, it plays much more seamlessly than NWN1, especially for spellcaster characters. The interface is more user-friendly in general. Character design options have been expanded with new races, classes, abilities, and assorted doodads. NWN1 made the claim that you could approximate pretty much any character concept; NWN2 backs that claim up.
While there are still some side quests, the focus is much more towards the primary story line, which branches to some degree based on your choices. Conversations with major NPCs and party members (yes, you get an actual party as opposed to a lone mercenary, and *gasp* they actually have personalities!) often play out in a cinematic view, although minor dialogues retain a similar format to NWN1. Interactions between your travelling companions offer some excellent comic relief at times, especially the ones involving the dwarf you meet early.
In short NWN2 improves on its predecessor in just about every possible way. As to how it stacks up against BG2 ... no idea, never played that one.
While there are still some side quests, the focus is much more towards the primary story line, which branches to some degree based on your choices. Conversations with major NPCs and party members (yes, you get an actual party as opposed to a lone mercenary, and *gasp* they actually have personalities!) often play out in a cinematic view, although minor dialogues retain a similar format to NWN1. Interactions between your travelling companions offer some excellent comic relief at times, especially the ones involving the dwarf you meet early.
In short NWN2 improves on its predecessor in just about every possible way. As to how it stacks up against BG2 ... no idea, never played that one.