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TylerXKJ
Acolyte
27 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Oct 2005 : 18:48:19
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In a couple days Never Winter Nights: Diamond comes out and I have to say honestly I've never played any of the expansions or the origional game. I've tried to sort out all the junk but there is a lot of misinformation circulating around and I want to know some specifics about the game.
First: Do you choose the party from a cast of characters or can you design your own like in Icewind Dale 2?
Second: Does the game use second edition or third edition rules?
Third: Do I have to play online?
Fourth: Are the characters you chose/made in NWN used in the expansion packs?
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2005 : 18:55:33
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quote:
Originally posted by TylerXKJ
First: Do you choose the party from a cast of characters or can you design your own like in Icewind Dale 2?
Second: Does the game use second edition or third edition rules?
Third: Do I have to play online?
Fourth: Are the characters you chose/made in NWN used in the expansion packs?
1) You create a character, and recruit a henchman in the game. In the expansions you can have two henchmen.
The henchmen have stories of their own, but nothing like Baldur's Gate I and II.
2) The game uses 3e rules. It is not turnbased, but seem to capture everything pretty well.
3) Nope. The game and the expansions have single player campaigns. Again, it does not stand up to the BG games, but I find them fairly enjoyable. The expansions are better than the first campaign. Fan created material like Cormyrian Nights are better than the first campaign.
4) The first expansion start at 1st level, so you have to start a new character. You can use that character in the second expansion.
You can export your characters as you play, for use in fan-created modules.
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TylerXKJ
Acolyte
27 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2005 : 19:24:27
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So you create *a* character. As in a singular person. I think I'll just stay with IWD2 then. I liked having a party of my choice. If it isn't obvious by now, I've only played IWD2.
Can you pause the game during combat to manage what your characters are doing like in IWD2?
I really suck at real time strategy games like Warcraft 3 and I got Icewind dale two because I specifically knew I could pause it ingame to manage my characters actions.
Does the henchman follow your commands or is it an AI?
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2005 : 19:31:42
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You can pause the game, so you should have no problem keeping track for your character. Its been a while since I've played IWD2, but NWN is nothing like RTS games where the AI overrun you with the sheer number of actions. In BGII you can set the game to pause after every turn, something you can't do in NWN.
The henchman is run by the AI based on some input from you handled in in-game conversation. You do not get the feeling of running a party like in IWD2. Sounds like you should go for BG or BGII, although NWN is a pretty decent game on its own.
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2005 : 21:48:34
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| I think that the whole NWN saga is very enjoyable, and in fact I am still playing it after more than a year. The secret of the game though, is the multi game, there you can realize of the real possibilities of the game. The henchmen you can recruit are pretty well made (yes, excepts the dwraf gal, and the semi-orc wizard), specially Deekin the kobold, who has become my most favourite by far. You can use the first game char in both expansion, at least I did it, but that makes Shadows of Undrentide pretty easy. I really recommend them to you, but of course, the last choice is yours... |
"If you are to truly understand, then you will need the contrast, not adherence to a single ideal." - Kreia
"I THINK I JUST HAD ANOTHER NEAR-RINCEWIND EXPERIENCE"- Discworld's Death frustrated after Rincewind scapes his grasp... again.
"I am death, come for thee" - Nimbul, from Baldur's Gate I just before being badly spanked
Sapientia sola libertas est |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 22 Oct 2005 : 22:40:52
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The first official campaign blows chunks. Shadows of Undrentide is a bit better, but still pretty flat; Hordes of the Underdark is leaps and bounds better than the first OC.
There are a lot of well-made fan modules -- I can recommend quite a few off the top of my head -- but don't expect anything like the BG series. (The tilesets, which make everything look the same, don't help.) |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2005 : 21:29:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Winterfox
The first official campaign blows chunks. Shadows of Undrentide is a bit better, but still pretty flat; Hordes of the Underdark is leaps and bounds better than the first OC.
There are a lot of well-made fan modules -- I can recommend quite a few off the top of my head -- but don't expect anything like the BG series. (The tilesets, which make everything look the same, don't help.)
I pretty much totally agree with you, on all points.
I can also recommend some great modules. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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Snotlord
Senior Scribe
Norway
476 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2005 : 21:36:24
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
I can also recommend some great modules.
Please do 
I liked Cormyrian Nights and the Shadowmaster(?)-series. I have not finished them yet, but both are better than the first official campaign. Others? |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2005 : 21:53:31
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Cormyrean Nights was a great one. I will list as many as I can remember that I recommend playing. All are FR unless I say otherwise:
Shadowlords/Dreamcatcher/Demon: The first three Shadowlords mods were nothing special, but they do eventually get better. Lots of cool stuff to do.
An Ancient Heart/AAH 2: Have fun saving Damara!
The Aielund Saga: A non-FR module. Not perfect, but one of the best mods I've played. Nice world-building, too.
A Halo of Flies/Shadows of a Soul on Fire: Non-FR. This module is dark fantasy/horror, and so intense that after SoaSoF, I was literally shaken by it. Play a light-hearted mod afterward as an antidote.
The Vethboro Dragon: Very short, but cute. Almost like playing your way through a short story.
The Lone Wolf: Non-FR. I've only played the first one so far, but I played a demo of the second. These mods are newly redone, short, and fun to play through.
Lords of Darkness: Non-FR. Very epic feel and nice romance, but overall rather light on roleplaying.
Torslunda: Short adventure set in the Icewind Dale region.
A Harper's Tale: Flawed in many ways, but I still enjoyed it. I recommend you play some type of melee warrior.
Tragedy in Tragedor: All is not happy by the end, as you can infer, but there are some bright spots.
If you have specific questions about any of these, let me know.  |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 24 Oct 2005 21:56:47 |
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Alaundo
Head Moderator
United Kingdom
5695 Posts |
Posted - 24 Oct 2005 : 22:01:09
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quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
If you have specific questions about any of these, let me know.
Well met
Now there's an offer I can't refuse Thank ye for the list, Rinonalyrna Fathomlin. I've actually been meaning to put together a page for the site proper of all things NWN. In particular, I would like to include links and information for FR specific modules, mayhaps ye could help on this? Please contact me if ye wish to discuss further. |
Alaundo
Candlekeep Forums Head Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
An Introduction to Candlekeep - by Ed Greenwood
The Candlekeep Compendium - Tomes of Realmslore penned by Scribes of Candlekeep
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2005 : 00:44:59
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Elegia Eternum and Excrucio Eternum -- non-FR, psychological thriller, and utterly, utterly wicked. Elegia comes with original soundtrack and voice-acting and is rather linear, but still pretty damn great; Excrucio doesn't have voice-acting, but is by no means inferior. It has more choices, and is rather longer. Story, character, atmosphere -- everything's downright professional. And chilling. And drool-worthy. The author can do such amazing, amazing things with scripting and tilesets that would have otherwise looked as plastic and repetitive as the rest. I haven't seen any progress or update on it, but there's supposed to be a third module to complete the trilogy.
The Hex Coda -- non-FR, taking place in a setting where magic is treated rather like technology, so it comes off with more of a sci-fi feel than fantasy. Witty humor, marvelous characters. Only the first part is out, though.
The Gods Themselves and The War for Cania -- short but sweet, a direct sequel to the HotU official campaign (which assumes you chose the evil-aligned ending) and therefore FR. Makes excellent use of existing voice acting.
The Shadow Queen links the SoU and HotU official campaigns; Pawns of Darkness, part of the same series, takes place after HotU. Both are very good at what they do, and even include a bit of psychological screwiness, which for me is always a plus.
Tales of Arterra takes place in an original setting, with amazing writing, very memorable characters (emphasis on this -- I loved them to itty bits), and all around fun gameplay. It comes in two parts, The Lost and The Awakening, and has been completed.
Bone Kenning I - Art of the Thanaturge is an oldie but goodie. The necromancy in it is, well, actual necromancy rather than a mage with an undead summon. Non-FR, with hints of what looks like Catholic church, but great all the same. It doesn't come with fancy hakpacks and, due to its age, doesn't make use of the nifty features provided by the expansions, the CEP or the PRC, but it's still a must-play.
After the End 1 - Penumbra is set after the HotU campaign, but doesn't take place in a canonical FR location. Not that it's a bad thing. Epic-level, great story, wonderful antagonist.
I've a few more in mind to recommend, but by now you're probably swamped full up already. :p |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2005 : 01:30:19
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quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
quote:
Originally posted by Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
If you have specific questions about any of these, let me know.
Well met
Now there's an offer I can't refuse Thank ye for the list, Rinonalyrna Fathomlin. I've actually been meaning to put together a page for the site proper of all things NWN. In particular, I would like to include links and information for FR specific modules, mayhaps ye could help on this? Please contact me if ye wish to discuss further.
Certainly, Alaundo, I'd be more than happy to help you. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
Edited by - Rinonalyrna Fathomlin on 25 Oct 2005 01:30:34 |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2005 : 02:04:22
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Just a question - I downloaded my first non-Bioware mod the other day, what exactly is the process to play it? I am way too lazy to read the book, plus I think I lost it.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2005 : 05:59:46
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| Stick the .mod file in the /module directory (and any .hak file in the /hak directory if necessary), then start the game, press New Game and from there select "Other Module." |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2005 : 09:43:31
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| Some modules will come with music and movies. .bmu goes in /music folder; .bif goes in /movies folder. If the module comes with a pre-generated character, it'll have a .bik file, which goes in /localvault folder. |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2005 : 14:20:02
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Cool, thanks for the help guys... I just downloaded Aribeth's Dilemma from a fan site. Any of you guys heard of/played it?
I also just bought Kingmaker (the box from Bioware) and was going to start up on Witch's Wake or Kingmaker sometime soon.
One more question to you NWN gurus - how hard would it be to hook two players up to go through the mods together? Can you do it by LAN or does it have to be over the website?
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2005 : 14:32:40
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I've never done it over LAN, but since one of the buttons you get after pressing Multiplayer says "Start up new LAN-game" (and another "Load a LAN-game") I sure hope you can |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 25 Oct 2005 : 15:12:27
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quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
Cool, thanks for the help guys... I just downloaded Aribeth's Dilemma from a fan site. Any of you guys heard of/played it?
Aribeth as a character doesn't interest me so (I thought her romance was even flatter than Nythe... Nythyrra's).... nope, never played it.
quote:
One more question to you NWN gurus - how hard would it be to hook two players up to go through the mods together? Can you do it by LAN or does it have to be over the website?
C-Fb
You can do it by LAN. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 26 Oct 2005 : 03:36:58
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quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
Cool, thanks for the help guys... I just downloaded Aribeth's Dilemma from a fan site. Any of you guys heard of/played it?
I also haven't played any of the Aribeth mods, just because I'm not much of an Aribeth fan.
I forgot to mention: Crimson Tides of Tethyr is highly recommended. Also, all of the premium mods are recommended. They have their flaws, yes, but I feel they are worth the time it takes to play through them. |
"Instead of asking why we sleep, it might make sense to ask why we wake. Perchance we live to dream. From that perspective, the sea of troubles we navigate in the workaday world might be the price we pay for admission to another night in the world of dreams."
--Richard Greene (letter to Time) |
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What is Neverwinter Nights like?
