 |
More thoughts on Neverwinter 2 |  |
I stayed up late last night playing Neverwinter Nights 2, and I have more thoughts on it. I’m still really, really enjoying it (though I sort of regret the little bout of multiclassing that I went through earlier; I picked up a level of bard so I could qualify for the red dragon disciple prestige class, then picked up a level of that. I think I would have been better served focusing solely on the warlock class.), and I’ve managed to get to chapter 2. A couple of things have struck me about the game.
1. It’s incredibly detailed. Every named NPC has an accompanying description if you right-click on him/her. Most items also have individual descriptions, and many of the magical items are uniquely named: rather than having a +1 flaming morningstar, you get the bone phoenix. Same effect, but you get a unique name and a unique description, which really does make a difference. Further, many incidental NPCs have interesting little bits of dialog. I’m thinking in particular of a certain kobold shopkeeper in the Merchant Quarter who, although he doesn’t seem to tie to any quests or anything (that I’ve discovered yet, at least), has pages and pages of interesting dialog. It’s that kind of attention to detail that makes this game such an immersive and atmospheric experience.
2. The game casts you in the starring role. I know this sort of sounds like a no-brainer, but I’ve always felt that this is a difficult thing to do in a place like the Forgotten Realms, where you’ve got Elminsters and Drizzts around every corner. The game is certainly not short on movers and shakers, but the game always makes you feel like an important person without making you feel like some sort of ‘chosen one’. Right in the tutorial, you become the winner of the Harvest Cup and, therefore, something of a local celebrity. Then you save the town from danger. Later it becomes clear that you’ve really gotten on the bad guys’ radar, and they go to great lengths to not only destroy you, but to completely discredit you and give you a bad reputation. Right from the beginning I’ve felt like, even though my character has sort of been caught up in events somewhat beyond her control, she’s taken ownership of those events and people are responding to that. What’s also great is that the game makes you feel like you’ve earned the reputation you’re getting, rather than just being important because you’re you.
3. The game is just plain fun. I got kind of bored with the first Neverwinter Nights, and the second game doesn’t change a whole lot about the formula. What it does change, however, counts, and makes all the difference. The story is tightly woven and keeps you guessing. The characters are interesting and varied, and seem like real people. The combat is fun and very challenging at times. The carrot-on-a-stick mechanic of levelling up and getting loot is just as potent as ever. I almost can’t wait to finish the game, so I can start downloading fan-made modules and checking them out, with completely new characters. I’m also actually playing through the game twice at the moment. I have my main game, my single-player game, in which I’m in chapter 2, but I’ve also got a multiplayer game in which my fighter/wizard is in the beginning of chapter 1 with his rogue companion. And you know what? Playing through the game with another person makes it a whole new experience. It’s great.
Anyway, my recommendation of this game still stands. It’s fantastic, despite its flaws.
