Exploration linearity

[quechn1tlan]

Probably the only reason I registered is to ask this question:

Will we get a set of areas we *have* to explore subsequently to advance(IWD), or will we have a whole lot of areas we will never even see if we don't make it our crusade to go everywhere(BG)?

 

I really liked how in Baldur's Gate you can finish the game without even being to most of it's areas. Hell, on my first playthrough I didn't even realize that the side of the area you exit, gives you access to adjoining areas(I wasn't too old and wise at the time, so cut me a break). And instead of what modern publishers think, this fact didn't make me dislike the game. It made me like it even more and want to play it again and again.