Never say Never to Neverwinter Nights 2 (Neverwinter Nights 2 (PC))

Member Name: pilgrim72

Product:	Neverwinter Nights 2 (PC)
Date:	24/01/08 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: An immersive storyline that has no peers

Disadvantages: Can be a little power hungry in places

Put quite simply - this is the best role playing game post Baldur's Gate 2, I have ever come across.

Fans of the Forgotten Realms will not be disappointed by the environment and worldscape stunningly created by the developers Obsidian.

Yes, initially upon release, the game was heavily bugged and poorly optimised, and this does indeed seem to be a reflection of games by this particular development house (Knights of The Old Republic 2, anyone?), so perhaps those who purchased this delectable dish of digital Dungeons and Dragons upon first release (myself included) would have been frustrated with the lengthy installation process, numerous bugs and glitches, and constant need for frankly enormous patches. However, perservance really does reap rich rewards. A purchase today will result in the player being completely bemused by the above text, as the program has now been patched and fully filled to enable the pure genius of Feargus and co to be unleashed upon the gaming world. The graphics have also been heavily optimised, and while make no mistake, to have at maximum detail and resolution on a busy battlefield, you will still need a very meaty set up I will testify that this game is just as enjoyable on a very low detail setting.

The reason for this is that the game does not trade solely on graphical performance and the bells and whistles of today's DirectX10 heavyweights, but stays true to the Baldur's Gate ethos of atmosphere and story-telling as the primary pull.

Beginning with character creation, you are indeed faced with a multitude of choices and those graduating from previous Bioware exploits will find themselves drooling at the prospect of some of the character races and classes available - do not discount the old favourites however, as all are very well developed and each enables the game to be played in a very different manner.

The story is split into several 'chapters' each of which contains many sub-plots richly woven into the main storyline, dancing into and out of main events with a finesse that wouldn't seem out of place in the most polished Hollywood bluckbuster.

Your 'Hero' or 'Anti-Hero' does not face the massive challenge set before him singlehandedly, however. Dotted along the way are many NPC's (non-player characters, for the delicate role playing virgins amongst you) all of which have fabulously detailed personalities and histories for you to explore and enjoy. Whilst not quite reaching the dizzying heights of dialogue perfection attained by the immeasurable Minsc of Rashemen (not forgetting the miniature giant space hamster, Boo), interactions with the main character, as well as with each other, by the NPCs are a genuinely valuable aspect to the story and game as a whole, helping to create the impression that you really are immersed in a living, breathing world (as opposed to being sat, hunched on an uncomfortable chair, in the middle of the night in the dark, long after it would have been sensible to retire...).

The story builds toward its climax like a snowball gliding down a fresh alpine mountainside - gently and with little impact upon its suroundings at first, but building with an inevitability that culminates in a frankly incredible climax that does indeed leave the player wanting more. I shall not sully the prospect of the game by leaving spoilers, but suffice to say that the conclusion of the epic storyline sets up nicely for the follow up, Mask of The Betrayer.

All in all, this game is not without faults. Yes, the graphics are fantastic, but yes, a powerful PC is required to fully appreciate them. However, this game is all about the story. The environment. The immersion into another universe. One of fantasy and magic, of fairies and fairytales, of Dungeons and Dragons.

Please do not be put off by hardware requirements made of you by this title - it is by no means as demanding as contemporary titles (Oblivion is the example that springs to mind most) and will reward you with a rich nectar that will dazzle and enthrall you for weeks, and months to come.

So far I have only discussed the single player aspect of the game. Ihavent even mentioned the online multiplayer community, expanding exponentially like a gaming Big Bang since release day one, nor the incredibly powerful and intuitive toolset, by which you have the means to create your very own adventures within the Neverwinter Nights universe.

Buy this game, NOW.

Summary: The best RPG since Minsc awoke in Amn with the Bhaalspawn...