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Neverwinter Nights Platinum Review(update: a new compilation, Diamond, has been released, and includes the Kingmaker expansion, three new adventures designed by BIoware) Neverwinter Nights originally came out a few years ago. Since, it has had two expansion packs released, and two special editions putting the original and the then-released expansion(s) in the same box. The Platinum version of Neverwinter Nights puts both expansions, Shadows of Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark, with the original in a single package. These expansions are mostly gameplay enhancements, not affecting the core engine much, if at all. That core engine is based on Dungeons and Dragons rules, giving this role-playing game a strong backing in well-established and balanced gaming engine. Graphically, the game isn't so great. The character and environment models are simple and the textures are sufficiently good, but ultimately that's not what this game is about. The low polygon count and decent textures make the engine functional on a greater number of computers without sacrificing much from the game itself. Though you may not feel like you're adventuring through the most detailed and stylistic dungeon, you will feel at least like it is a dungeon by most standards. Particle effects from spellcasting are nice, spicing up Neverwinter Nights' graphical side and covering up the overall generic style. Beyond graphics, however, is gameplay. Neverwinter Nights is definitely built for this component. Based on 3rd edition Dungeons and Dragons rules, Neverwinter makes the d20 system accessible to computer gamers who normally would not venture into the realm of tabletop games. Those who already play Dungeons and Dragons will want to know before buying this game that it is based on 3.0 rules, so the new 3.5 modifications aren't there; also, though the same basic rules are in place, many of the specifics of class features and feats (and even some skills) have been changed to fit the different nature of computer gaming. Neverwinter Nights feels more fluid than the Baldur's Gate comptuer games, offering real-time gameplay still rooted in 6-second rounds. Non-tabletop gamers will be likewise glad to know that most of the Dungeons and Dragons rule components are under-the-surface, so you don't have to learn them or interact with them if you don't want to. Like its faire in graphics, the sounds of Neverwinter Nights are good enough in most ways, and better than that in others. Most of the environmental sounds and voiceovers are at least passable and many are very fitting. Similar things can be said about the game's background music, some of which I find myself humming or hear in my head throughout the day without feeling bad about it. The game is somewhat more engaging in its environmental sounds than many others; while you're walking the streets of the plague-stricken city of Neverwinter, you will hear the voices of struggling families, proselytizers, and scared children coping with the myriad problems associated with such a state of affairs. The sounds of battle and shouts of orders will fly through the air in battle-torn dungeons and city sectors.It's not the best voice work ever, but it gets the job done pretty well. Replayability is almost not even an issue. With eleven character classes, seven races, and eleven "prestige classes" (special classes you can gain levels in after meeting certain prerequisite abilities from the core character classes), dozens of feats, the ability to combine almost any classes together to make unique "multiclass" combinations, a couple dozen skills and dozens of feats, and forty levels for character progression, the possibilities are countless. With the Platinum release of Neverwinter Nights, there are three packaged campaigns included, one primary campaign and two secondary campaigns in single player. You can also download auxiliary official campaigns, and there are hundreds of player-created ones as well. Also, the multiplayer component allows you to take your characters online seamlessly. In fact, you can alternate a single character between single- and multi player modes. Like the single-player mode, multi-player functions off of "modules", packages that contain that campaign's characters, items, and environments, so you can play the same modules both online and offline. Finally, there is the option for one of the players to run the game as the Dungeon Master, with ultimate control over the gaming universe and everything in it. The question then remains of whether or not Neverwinter Nights is for you. If you are a D&D player looking for an extremely accurate representation of the rules on the computer, this might not be what you're looking for, but if you can settle for something pretty close, then this game might be for you. If you are an RPG buff, this game carries the backing of the balanced D&D engine behind it and so may offer you a fun new toy and world to adventure in. More average gamers with little more than a passing interest in RPGs might find this particular game takes a bit of getting used to, though the D&D-based components can be mostly ignored and the game treated as a top-down adventure game. For any non tabletop gamers, it also might show you the path to an entirely new kind of gaming experience. |
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