Anyone playing Neverwinter Nights 2?

[Schnieds]

Hey,

I haven't played a game in many months and want a good RPG to play. I read some mixed reviews about Neverwinter Nights 2. Most of what I read said that the game itself was great, but bugs made it not so great.

Has anyone here played it or is playing it? Have they released patches to fix the bugs? Would you recommend buying it?

Thanks!

Schnieds

 

[nullpointerus]

Most of the worst bugs are probably fixed by now.

I just started playing the game a week or so ago and have been relatively pleased with it. Graphics seem fine. Controls are a little difficult to get used to. Music is practically nonexistant--as in many modern computer RPGs, just background noise these--but sound seems fine.

The game is Dungeons and Dragons, FWIW. That means there are wierd rules and such that do not apply to other RPGs. Overall the rule system seems fine. I've found the game to be a little too easy, but then the "old school" DnD games had similar balance problems, and you can choose a harder character type to make the game more difficult.

Progression is fairly linear, at least by Neverwinter, but you do get choices as to your responses, and the dialog is rather funny at times. Combat is turn-based, and the slow beginning turns make battles seem rather comical in this age of "real-time everything," but that passes. Note that there's a definite difference between NWN2 and action RPGs like Diablo, Sacred, Fable, and Oblivion.

Overall, I'd say buy it when it hits $30, lower if you don't like DnD games very much.

EDIT: If your computer is in good shape, I'd recommend Oblivion. If not, Fable plays very well--a friend of mine is still using a GF4 4200 for Fable and the gameplay seems fairly smooth. Between the two, Fable has a better story (i.e. more like "Zelda" games) while Oblivion is a more generic/open-ended dungeon crawler (i.e. more like "Diablo" games).

 

[Starbuck1975]

I have Neverwinter Nights 2, and got bored with it after a week or so...the gameplay and dynamics is almost identical to that of Neverwinter Nights 2...it almost plays like an expansion, with better graphics...but gameplay is essentially the same.

I guess if you are a D&D purist, you will enjoy this game...I am just getting tired of the dungeon crawl, gain loot, advance character stats and kill evil plotline that permeates most RPG games.

The game also plays on auto pilot to a certain extent...I have yet to encounter a scenario where I am unable to tank my way through.

The dialogue choices and story are a bit better than Neverwinter Nights, but it is still no Planescape Torment.

I have Oblivion as well, and got bored with it too.

The only RPGs that ever kept my attention were the original Baldur's Gate series, Planescape Torment, and the RPG/FPS hybrids Deus Ex and System Shock 2.

 

[Sureshot324]

I liked it a lot. I played it by controlling the entire party, pausing frequently to give orders. Many people who played it like diablo, controlling only the main char and letting the AI controll the party, were disapointed. The AI sucked when the game was released (not sure how it is now). It would hit your own party with area of effect spells, rush into a group an enemies and get killed, and other foolishness.

When it was release, performance was very poor considering the graphics, but that has improved a lot with patches. The story isn't that good, but personally I play rpgs more for the combat.

 

[you2]

its ok - i'm waiting for better campaign/mods befor eplaying again.

 

[Fenixgoon]

i liked it a lot.. much closer to BG2 than NWN1 although the single player (quality wise) can't hit BG2 levels, i thought it was far superior to NWN1

 

[TheVrolok]

I shelved it after getting a couple hours in .. just sorta got old for me, but I plan on revisiting it this summer when I have time.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I enjoyed it, it was nice to go back to a story, a party of NPCs, and loot that was interesting after wandering around solo in Oblivion with a thin story and mostly boring loot. (Oblivion was great, just more of a fantasy FPS and sandbox to me than a classic party RPG).

With patch 1.04 I did not run into any bugs, playing a lawful good Paladin.

Spellcaster AI is still a bit weak as of 1.04. they tend to waste high-level spells on minor encounters. That's only a problem in the few areas where you can't rest. Having them carry wands helps then since you can queue up level 0-1 spells and wand blasts to keep them busy and not wasting the good spells.

I'd rate the campaign as better than the original NWN-1 campaign, but not as good as the first 2 expansions (SotU/HotU), or Baldur's Gate 2, or Star Wars: KOTOR.

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
I have Neverwinter Nights 2, and got bored with it after a week or so...the gameplay and dynamics is almost identical to that of Neverwinter Nights 2...it almost plays like an expansion, with better graphics...but gameplay is essentially the same.

I guess if you are a D&D purist, you will enjoy this game...I am just getting tired of the dungeon crawl, gain loot, advance character stats and kill evil plotline that permeates most RPG games.

The game also plays on auto pilot to a certain extent...I have yet to encounter a scenario where I am unable to tank my way through.

The dialogue choices and story are a bit better than Neverwinter Nights, but it is still no Planescape Torment.

I have Oblivion as well, and got bored with it too.

The only RPGs that ever kept my attention were the original Baldur's Gate series, Planescape Torment, and the RPG/FPS hybrids Deus Ex and System Shock 2.

This pretty well sums it up. I disagree about the D&D purists part. On the whole, D&D purists hate this game because it has been dumbed down to a large extent - namely the fact that they've done away with permadeath (everybody gets up on their own after every battle).

The story is basically another formula fantasy cliche. If you don't mind that then it's an ok game.

 

[Schadenfroh]

(everybody gets up on their own after every battle).

Still beats having to rez them after the battle, pick up all of their gear from the pile near the body, reequip every single item, replace the things that are no longer in the quick slots. Almost as annoying as having to rememorize spells after being hit with a level drain ability, gee it would have been nice if Baldur's Gate would just recall what I had before the level drain and automatically memorize those spells once the level drain had been removed and the player rested.


Any way, OP, it is good, 1.05 (current patch) has just about all of the major bugs out of the way, (torch bug is still annoying). Performance kinda sucks for the visuals you get (on an x1950 pro). Plot is solid, inter party chat is good. Although, I get the feeling that the mental age of all of my companions is somewhere around junior high level (especially Neeshka and the sorceress, Qaera?). Your father is pretty much the most boring NPC that I have ever seen.

The game is not in that serious of a mood, good bit of comedy mixed in. Its no Baldur's Gate 2, but its pretty good for a modern game if you like D&D games with emphasis on plot and character development / dialog.

Ai is still pretty poor, but has improved and will continue to improve as the game has really good developer support and they are making an expansion.

The original campaign beats the living crap out of NWN1 OC (and chapter 1 of HotU / chapter 2 of SoU), although I would not say that it is up to the same level as Hordes of the UnderDark chapters 2 & 3 or Shadows of Undertide chapter 1 (damn chapter 2 sucked).

Romance options are horrible (if you are into that kind of thing), dont expect a Viconia.... but still it does have far better romance plots than say Fable.

Until we see some better community modules, I would not spend more than $25 on it... although I have paid far more than that for far worse games.

Id give it a 7 / 10 with the new 1.05 patch.

Oh yes and I hope you like Sony's SecuROM DRM software being put on your machine.

 

[Bateluer]

The real strength of NWN2 will come in roughly 6 months. Browsing the NWN2 Modules forum reveals several dozen modules in development that look to be of professional grade material. Some to keep an eye on:

Mysteries of the Moonsea
Rogue Dao Studio's Planescape Trilogy
Scourge of the Hellgates
Keep on the Borderlands
Fianchetto's Fable

Chronicles of Charnia and Pool of Radiance Remastered are released in chapter format, and each of a few chapters available now. I haven't had the time to play either of them yet, but both enjoy popularity.

NWN2's toolset is quite different from NWN1, but its also much more powerful and allows a lot more than what its predecessor allowed. As people become increasely familiar with it, we'll see some truly great modules.

Personally, I prefer the D&D style, turnbased, combat. It allows for my strategy and thinking to go into a battle. Real time battle RPGs are mostly Diablo clones or FPS hybrids like Oblivion.

NWN2 can easily be had for under 25, very easily. Shoot, it was on sale for 20 bucks the month after its release.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Dont for get Adam Miller's work, Bat. Dark Water chapter 1 is out, he is the guy that made DreamCatcher, ShadowLords and Demon for NWN1.

 

[sthaznpride17]

I got bored of NWN2 also after about 2 weeks. Don't get me wrong though, I think its a good game bugs aside, however coming from Guild Wars the turn-based combat and the DnD rules didn't appeal to me that much. I got it for 25bucks at BB during black friday to give it a shot, something different for once, and Im glad I didn't spend 50 on it. Hmm maybe I should give it another go.

 

[Fenixgoon]

honestly, i think characters resurrecting on their own instead of dying reduced part of the challenge that existed in BG2 (im sure it applies to others, but i've only played BG2)

 

[Schnieds]

Thanks for the excellent info everyone, especially Schadenfroh - your post was very detailed and helpful.

I found it on Amazon used for $20 w/ shipping so I think I will pick it up and give it a try. I loved KOTOR and although I know NWN2 won't measure up to that game, I am still looking forward to giving it a try.

How bad are the hardware reqs? I have the following:

Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB Memory
GeForce 6600 GT
Raptor HDD

Schnieds

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Schnieds

How bad are the hardware reqs? I have the following:

Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB Memory
GeForce 6600 GT
Raptor HDD

Schnieds

Your CPU and RAM are fine, as is the HDD. However, that 6600GT is going to hurt you, it was a fairly weak card in its prime a few years ago. Depending on what resolution you run it, it will suffice, but you'll definitely be turning down detail settings.

Depending on your budget, there are plenty of higher performing video cards available under the 250 and 200 dollar price points that will all run NWN2 better than the 6600GT.

I have similar specs to yours, an E6600, 2GB RAM, with an X1900XT. NWN2 runs almost perfectly smooth at 1680x1050, will all settings on max, and 2x AA, indoors and out. This is after the optimizations in 1.03 and later though. When I first played it on 1.01 and 1.02, it was extremely choppy outdoors. As it stands now, the only time I experience choppy frame rates is in large outdoor battles, with spell casters throwing their magic around.

 

[Kromis]

Originally posted by: Schnieds
Thanks for the excellent info everyone, especially Schadenfroh - your post was very detailed and helpful.

I found it on Amazon used for $20 w/ shipping so I think I will pick it up and give it a try. I loved KOTOR and although I know NWN2 won't measure up to that game, I am still looking forward to giving it a try.

How bad are the hardware reqs? I have the following:

Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB Memory
GeForce 6600 GT
Raptor HDD

Schnieds

Don't expect to play on very high settings. It makes computers cry more than Oblivion

 

[Schnieds]

Hmmm... that sucks.

Back in the day I used to have the latest & greatest GPU in addition to cutting edge hardware. Now I don't have time to game much, so I keep my other hardware pretty nice for development purposes, but I haven't put any money into a GPU in years (I got the 6600 GT free from this nice dude I work with.)

I might have to start putting pennies in my piggy bank for a decent card. Maybe the 6600GT can get me through for another year and then I can pick up a decent DX10 card for around $200.