Do I miss something essential if I don't play the first

>>3387018
The 2nd game is the chronological first. I don't think it would really matter.

Timeline wise, 2 happens before 1, but 2's graphics and gameplay are a LOT better than 1. So playing 1 will be a significant downgrade from 2 in just about every way, so if that bothers you, start with 1.

>>3387018
One major spoiler right in the intro scene. Other than that not much.

not a lot, but you will probably appreciate the first game less because its way more rigid of a game, 1 really feels more like a late era NES game than a SNES game.

I kinda like 1 a little bit more than 2 personally but 2 is def the superior game, and being a prequel, nah you won't really miss anything of note.

1 is a horrible grind experience, I never finished it. Encounters literally happen every 3-5 steps.

>>3387018
I remember the first one's beginning blew my mind.