"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" was the formula used by Obsidian to create this game. Until now BioWare was the developer of the Neverwinter series. Obsidian was however chosen to develop the sequel. Feargus Urquhart, the one and only who realized some of the masterpieces of the RPG genre (Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance series and the development of the Icewind Dale and Planescape: Torment franchises) while being President of Black Isle Studios collaborated on this project too. In addition, the BioWare team provided tools, technology, and game assets from the original Neverwinter Nights as well creative input and oversight to the development process. All these ensured a great game.


The story

When starting the game, you will have to create your main character. Because NWN 2 is based on the 3.5 AD&D rules, the creation of the character is no easy task but ensures you that you will get the character that you want or at least a very close one. There are a lot of classes to choose from, and even some prestige classes (first available on Shadows of Undrentide) that are available to the ones who like to dual-class their characters. These are being available once you reach certain perquisites so make sure that you level your character well or you can let the game do this so you can get that class in the end. There are 16 races, 12 base classes, and 17 prestige classes to be more exact.

Choosing your race, stats, abilities, feats, appearance and name, you will feel the flavor of good ol' RPG's coming back to you. Some said that the game brings nothing new and that it is old fashioned. But I must say that, in my opinion, this makes the game special. 

 

After creating the character you will be presented West Harbor, the town where you were born and where you grew up. Here you will be given a small tutorial and also start to discover the story of the game. I must say that in the beginning you will be wondering what is it that you must do because as all the good RPG's, the story will be unveiled to you in small doses and only when needed.

More than 50 hours of gameplay are available, so you will have to solve dozens and dozens of  main and optional side quests (each with different choices to make during and after the quest).

The party

Along with your character you can team up with three or four other NPC, depending on the act you are in. These characters have their own alignment, their own stories, their own personality and most of all, their own goals. This will make the story very interesting because these characters will be affected by your decisions and will respond to them. You can improve your relation with then or you can make it worse. In time, all these decisions will count as you will make them you allies or your enemies. Sometimes it's very interesting to hear them talking to each other, telling jokes or just making observations about what you say or do. They will argue, praise you, creating a spicy conversation.

Along the game you will encounter various NPC's ready to join you so you will be able to create a party as the situation requires but be careful what party you create because you can't change the party on the spot so it's better to create an all-around party who can handle themselves in different situations.

To help balance the varying difficulty, your party members won't die if they reach 0 hitpoints, they will just get knocked unconscious. If anyone survives the fight, all of your unconscious characters will automatically wake up with one hit point allowing you to rest and continue the game. On the other hand, if your main character dies, it's game over and you will have to reload the game.

 

 

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