The game is on. Grab your closest friends, get online, and choose a DM. RPG has finally moved into the digital age. Step by step, RPG games have evolved. First came the standard graphics and sound, next the story lines, finally accurate AD&D rules. Now Neverwinter Nights brings the final element: the Dungeon master element into the game. Through the adventures of Neverwinter, the expansion packs like Hordes of the Underdark, and online-play, it’s all out RPG: 24-7.
OK, so lets do the basics. Neverwinter Nights is a product from the Bioware corp. Enter a classic Role Playing storylines, game-play, etc. You fight the monsters, you get the gold, you gain experience, you use the potions. We always begin by designing charaters. Neverwinter is no different. Where the difference comes in is in the class selection of characters you can create. No longer limited to just Elves, Humans, or Mages, you’ll have quite a selection of monsters and fantasy character sets to choose from. As always, each character is skilled at certain tasks, and cannot perform others. The fun thing about Neverwinter is that, each time you level-up, you can add a level from most of these differing classes. Sick of just fighting, level up a couple times as a mage; learn to cast and then cast away. Sick of buying potion, well level-up with a cleric.
Most of Neverwinter Nights follows the game play lead of Diablo and other older RPG’s. What Neverwinter offers is another level of choice and depth. You get three different camera styles, from overtop 3D to first person, etc. The graphics of Neverwinter are standard. They play the same tricks other RPG’s have already invented. The sound of Neverwinter is well designed, with crescendos while fighting and silence while searching. This form of choreographed aural design propels the action, storyline, and believability of Neverwinter.
The attack style of Neverwinter again follows Diablo’s point and clicking. Applying the 3rd edition D&D rules, accompanied with it’s Aurora engine. This adds more detail into fight sequences (including accurate dodging, parring, or reloading your crossbow). Mostly single-party action, as you level up, your fighting abilities and options also increase. What’s most annoying is the strob-like pausing in combat. There are pauses after every strike that make the battle mode less believable (and a little-tiresome). But, don’t’ worry, as you level-up, you’ll gain enough skill to fight quickly.
Now, lets get at the editor. As everyone says, the great thing about Neverwinter is the game editor. Adding a Game Master styled editor to these D&D games does much for game-play. Not only can you create your own campaigns with your friends, you can download other games, join games online, etc. So, maybe Neverwinter hasn’t designed your favorite storyline: they give you the tools to create your adventure. And, the design models are easy enough to use.
Like Shadows of Undrentide, the Hordes of the Underdark expansion provides what you would expect: more characters, different story-lines, new weapons and spells, and advanced leveling. Add more character classes, and Hordes of the Underdark is a must have for Neverwinter fans. You think you can take the Red Sisters, well, go ahead and try.
What the Nevewinter series offers is clear. A damn good game-editor, an up-to-date AD&D RPG that offers years of campaigns, and expansive editions and adventures to keep your addiction going.
