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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Oct 2005 : 05:23:10
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Neverwinter Nights 2 is previewed in PC Gamer 143. While it is using the same basic Aurora engine to power it, the actual graphics have been pretty much overhauled. It will still have a toolset included, and the DM Client is supposed to be almost unchanged from the first one, but the toolset will have more tutorials included, and dialogue is suppose to be easier to set up with the new wizards. Apparently there will be a guide to convert NWN modules to NWN 2 format as well. According to the editors, to get a glimpse at the type of graphics and interface you will see check out KOTOR II.
As far as the main campaign, the lead villain is a wizard known as the Shadow King, whose army clashed with Neverwinter's years ago near a small town on the edge of the Mere of Dead Men, the town being called West Harbor. You will be playing a character that was very young when the armies clashed in your hometown, and apparently the Shadow King has come back to do something shadowy (sorry, thats my own little extrapolation).
Apparently you start out as a nobody, and your alignment is neutral to begin with (hm . . . there are some designers here from Planescape: Torment), and your decisions early on help to shape your alignment, class, etc. As far as classes available, there was no list, but the specifically mention Warlock as one of the classes used in the game, and they also mention that the "Forgotten Realms" sub-races are all available in the game as PC races, including drow (although I would be happier with Aasimar or Genasi, but hey, thats me, and they may be as well, this section was a little vague). There will also be a new prestige class debuted in the game that will show up in the "pen and paper" realms rule books next year (I know we all couldn't wait for that  ).
You will have up to three party members (NOT henchmen) that you have to negotiate with and keep happy with dialog choices to keep in the party, and you can switch between controlling them and your main character (a la KOTOR). You will be able to aquire a stronghold, and depending on the hirelings that you staff it with, they may research new spells or make items for you while you are off adventuring.
And one final note about the toolset. Apparently you will be able to scale creature size, so if, for example, you want to make a huge spider and the base model is only a large one, you can just enlarge the spider and stat it up as you like.
Sounds intruiging, though as far as this Shadow King and his army on the edge of the Mere of Dead Men, I'm a little leary. For one thing, off hand I don't know how closely this will fit established Realmslore (though they couldn't do much worse than the OC of NWN), and secondly, I am about Shadowed out as far as names of villains in the Forgotten Realms.
Time will tell.
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2005 : 08:11:56
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| Sounds pretty interesting, as long as I am a huge fan of the first one. Is mentioned if the chars appearing in the first game will show? I'd love to see Deekin making a cameo or Aarin. The stronghold you can aquire means that the whole action will develop in one location? I didn't like the "Diablo style" of one hometown to get supplies and all the rest to fight, I would prefer soemthing like Baldur's Gate, many towns, and the choice of where to "get" a house up to the player... But i guess this is much asking... |
"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 |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2005 : 14:10:06
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I think the inclusion of the Drow is more to fit in and grab the mainstream gamer. They have been used as characters in other games in the past. It may be hard to establish what a genasi/aasimar is - unless you've played PS:Torment. The game looks pretty interesting.
Question though: I'm either daft or I just couldn't find it, what's the planned release date?
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36805 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2005 : 17:38:55
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quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
I'm either daft or I just couldn't find it
Can I comment on this one?  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 29 Oct 2005 : 18:17:10
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Hey now! 
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Talinthonis
Acolyte
Canada
6 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2005 : 22:19:00
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| The date has not yet been mentionned, neither in PC Gamer, or any other source, including the official forum ;) Most guesses would be in autumn '06 though. |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 31 Oct 2005 : 22:57:27
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Hmmm, well, guess I'll just look forward to my PS3 for awhile then.. I go through life waiting for things to come out it seems!
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 01 Nov 2005 : 20:54:02
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Awesome--I cannot wait for this game, though I agree about the "Shadow King" name (eh! ). Great screenshots, too. |
"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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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2005 : 00:38:06
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The build your character by actions reminds me a lot of Fable, for those of you who have played on the XBox or PC.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2005 : 11:42:40
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| Fable still uses experience points to build skills, however, and not by the frequency of skill usage (the way it is in Morrowind, and even there you put points into skills for advancement). The good/evil choices in Fable didn't even matter that much, just window-dressing. |
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Arivia
Great Reader
Canada
2965 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2005 : 11:43:26
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| Anyone want to take bets on this not having anything to do with Verraketh the Shadowking of Talfir? |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2005 : 14:22:31
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True - Winterfox - I guess it is more like Morrowwind - I knew there was a better example it just escaped me. As long as NWN2 does make me jump for half a day to raise my level, I'll be ok.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2005 : 19:18:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Anyone want to take bets on this not having anything to do with Verraketh the Shadowking of Talfir?
Personally, I keep thinking of Larloch, but he isn't one to become an antagonist like this. |
"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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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2005 : 19:39:48
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Well, RF, not only that, but the NWN franchise usually likes to create bad guys to serve as the antagonists, and have the Realmsian characters there to add flavor - for example, look at Elaith's brief but memorable appearance!
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2005 : 20:45:31
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quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
Well, RF, not only that, but the NWN franchise usually likes to create bad guys to serve as the antagonists, and have the Realmsian characters there to add flavor - for example, look at Elaith's brief but memorable appearance!
C-Fb
True enough. Still, aren't there already a few "Shadow Kings" out there? :p |
"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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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 02 Nov 2005 : 22:27:24
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quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
Well, RF, not only that, but the NWN franchise usually likes to create bad guys to serve as the antagonists, and have the Realmsian characters there to add flavor - for example, look at Elaith's brief but memorable appearance!
C-Fb
If by "memorable", you mean "a cameo where his personality is butchered beyond recognition", then yes.
Don't quote me on this, but I recall EC saying something along the line that she likes to pretend that the Elaith appearing in NWN was a doppelganger. |
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2005 : 07:28:44
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Indeed I got very glad when I saw him in the tabern... till I heard him talk....  his mission was a bit.... I don't know how to describe it, but someone as Elaith should be able to do it with his both hands tied to his back. |
"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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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2005 : 14:24:32
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Yes, Winterfox - memorable meant more of a "ugh" than a "whoopee, it's Elaith."
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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KnightErrantJR
Great Reader
USA
5402 Posts |
Posted - 03 Nov 2005 : 14:36:35
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And quit brining up Larloch . . . if someone uses him for a video game he'll likely have his stats for Lords of Darkness and appears as some side quest to get a doohickie that lets you fight the main villain . . . Klauth anyone?
(I vote we all keep Larloch secret until we trust someone to follow up on him the way Ed thinks of him). |
Edited by - KnightErrantJR on 03 Nov 2005 14:37:44 |
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Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
Great Reader
USA
7106 Posts |
Posted - 04 Nov 2005 : 20:59:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Winterfox
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
Well, RF, not only that, but the NWN franchise usually likes to create bad guys to serve as the antagonists, and have the Realmsian characters there to add flavor - for example, look at Elaith's brief but memorable appearance!
C-Fb
If by "memorable", you mean "a cameo where his personality is butchered beyond recognition", then yes.
Don't quote me on this, but I recall EC saying something along the line that she likes to pretend that the Elaith appearing in NWN was a doppelganger.
That's pretty funny. And yes, his sidequest was weird--I liked being able to meet Elaith, but come on! Collect 3 gems and he can get to Evermeet? That's ridiculous.
Also, the Klauth sidequest was awful--no NWN character should be able to kill him so casually. |
"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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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 04 Nov 2005 : 22:54:07
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Yeah, every Ancient Red Dragon can be taken by just two people - c'mon!
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2005 : 07:24:02
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quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
Yeah, every Ancient Red Dragon can be taken by just two people - c'mon!
C-Fb
And a familiar.... |
"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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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2005 : 14:07:53
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| And a summoned monster. |
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 - 05 Nov 2005 : 15:25:36
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| And the summoned monster, and the familiar, of your spellcasting henchperson. |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2005 : 17:07:03
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Which - in essence - is all part of you and your henchman. Bioware be praised!
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Khaa
Seeker
USA
80 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 14:14:09
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| Sounds like a really interesting game. I have always enjoyed Bioware's games. |
Ever want another forum? Well try out www.icewinddale.com |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 14:32:30
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| NWN2 isn't made by Bioware, but by Obsidian. Dur. |
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 15:24:15
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Winterfox - Obsidian was a splinter group that split off from Bioware - hence, the development atmosphere of Bioware be praised. Hence why the box says - Developed by Bioware.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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Winterfox
Senior Scribe
895 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 15:56:21
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Er... no?
Obsidian consists primarily of former Black Isle studio members. Besides which, I was replying to Khaa's comment, directly above mine:
quote:
Sounds like a really interesting game. I have always enjoyed Bioware's games.
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Crennen FaerieBane
Master of Realmslore
USA
1378 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2005 : 17:10:45
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Sorry!
Sometimes all the information comes out in a jumble.
C-Fb |
Still rockin' the Fey'ri style. |
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NWN 2 Previewed in PC Gamer 143
