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 A dunce's verdict: Long...But addicting. >>> by skysenshi (11.05.2002)
Being used to playing Japanese console RPGs, I was in a bit of culture shock when I first tried Neverwinter Nights. Well, yes, I used to play Dungeons and Dragons back when I was what…9? That was nearly 2 decades ago and I hardly remember how the game goes now. So basically, Neverwinter Nights is my very first PC RPG. Bear with me, for you will be reading an opinion based on the writings of a beginner (I really have to call myself a dunce in games like these).
The very first thing that you are asked to do in this game is to select a pre-created character or opt to create your own. I personally chose to create my own, which tickled my excitement from the very beginning. You can specify your player's body structure, hair and skin color, race, class, feats, skills, voice and even clothes. I had a hilarious time choosing my brother's character because the wrong selection could make the player look gaudy, overdecorated or even gay. The voices are just as side-splitting, as you can also make your player sound like a dork or a magical girl from a bishoujo anime. This highly customizable interface is easily what makes Neverwinter Nights one of the best PC games released recently.
The battle system would actually depend on what race and class you choose because there are certain specials and feats available only to certain classes. Ditto with the weapons and armor. On my test run, I chose to be a dark elven ranger. I didn't really expect to see any major differences until I created a lawful good monk. What I noticed was that as an elven ranger, I didn't have any trouble acquiring money or getting a henchman. As a monk, I was destitute. I wouldn't spend a single cent because all the chests and crates were stingy. Since the contents of the chests vary depending on your level, class or luck, they wouldn't give me anything of value. Monks are supposed to be impoverished since they don't really need money for armors and weapons. They are naturally good in barehanded fighting. This is something I only discovered in the course of the game.
What is most disconcerting here is that Neverwinter Nights is in constant need of patching up. Bugs abound this game. Fortunately for me, the bugs usually work in my favor and I frequently end up having an instantly dead boss at my hands—not my choice, of course. These things just happen. On the other hand, I had my modules upgraded via Bioware's site so the older bugs that allow you to have unlimited cash earlier in the game did not work for me.
The options allow you to tinker with so many features. You can switch to the type of camera swiveling that you prefer, a treat that gamers who easily get dizzy (like yours truly) can appreciate. You can also lessen the graphics quality if your computer doesn't have enough power to support it. You can check your stats, write notes in a journal, mark certain places on your map, etc. Furthermore, you have the "Quick Bar". Located right below the screen, it helps you mange things faster by giving certain moves, specials, or items a keyboard shortcut. If you want to use a healing kit, simply assign this command to "F5" and it will allow you to heal every time you press F5. Truth be told, Neverwinter Nights has so many key features and add-ons that I wouldn't know where to begin…or where to end. Let's just say that enumerating them here would take too much web space and data transfer.
The visuals are exquisite. The developers certainly didn't scrimp on the details from the backgrounds' shadows down to the last beadwork of your clothes. The sounds are basically all right, since it's complete with voices that add a touch of realism to your game. I just have a bit of trouble listening to an eerie BGM, especially at night and most especially when I'm battling undead monsters.
Replay value is very high. Because Neverwinter Nights is a PC game, many of its avid fans have developed extra chapters and fan-based modules that you can install and enjoy. Some new modifications even allow you to create your own character portraits. Imagine having the face of Cloud or Squall from Final Fantasy on your profile! If you have friends who enjoy this game as well, you can always invite each other to go into multiplayer mode. At least then, battling zombies in the middle of the night wouldn't have to be so scary.
One last detail: Please take note of the system requirements. Many anxious players have already been dismayed to find that after a long waiting period, they couldn't play Neverwinter Nights after all. The reason? Their PCs couldn't support the game. So please take the following system requirements down:
- Pentium II 450 MHz or AMD K6 450 MHz
- 16 MB TNT2-class OpenGL 1.2 compliant video card
- 96 MB of RAM (for Windows 98/ME, 128 MB recommended) or 128 MB of RAM (for Windows 2000/XP, 256 MB recommended)
- Internet (minimum 56k) or LAN connection required for multiplayer game
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