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Graphics
Value
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Reader Reviews
46 reviews. Average Rating: 7.61
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Publisher:  Genre: Adventure & RPG
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Mac OS X: 10.2.6 Mac OS Classic: Not Supported
CPU: G3 @ 450 MHz RAM: 256 MB Graphics: 32 MB VRAM |
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Speaking of character creation, one minor irritation did spring up that was actually by design, acting as a plug for an as-yet-unnamed (for the Mac) expansion. In creating my Monk, I went to customize my skills and encountered a number of them, such as Craft Traps, Appraise, and Tumble which were described in this fashion: "This feature is only available if you have installed the Neverwinter Nights Shadows of Undrendtide Expansion." Well now, I thought to myself ... I hope this expansion is on its way, but it sure is frustrating to see the skills I can't choose right off the bat (considering they aren't terribly exotic and would be handy in this game presently) or at least didn't see them so I wouldn't be tempted.
Gameplay in general is smooth, fun, and full of small surprises. Little things are big reasons to like it. It is a relief to note that not once did a henchman get in my way. Sure some didn't jump to certain actions on the first click (as if they weren't paying attention) but unlike some games, they definitely never blocked me en route to an exit or even when in a crowded room. There are also some subtle jokes to be had, such as finding a potion of endurance in the footlocker of an elderly nobleman's bed.
This game will get knocked for not being completely open-ended and nonlinear, as we're more and more spoiled by the online role playing games that sprawl between servers. But the single-player experience isn't harmed by that, and it is a fantastic and timely game. There are many side-quests you can ignore or adventure on, and the variety of game play is balanced. The multi-player experience answers that call with a Dungeon Master client and multiplayer games that can hold up to 64 players at a time. And for even more adventuring try the many single and multi-player modules available for download at . There's lots of replay value in this considering how far you can go in multiplayer. It immediately makes this game a great value compared to others of its kind.
Graphics
The graphics don't just ape the closest competitor and up the ante by inches, rather NWN decides to set a high standard all its own. Models are crisp and environments are very detailed. I found that the characters moved just right, not making them look like dangly marionettes or chess pieces. I never had one hint of slowdown even with nearly a dozen characters on screen.
The camera can be as static or dynamic as you'd like it to be, similar to Diablo's style one minute or taking on a 3/4 view like in the Baldur's Gate series. But it is at its best as a versatile tool to spice up combat or investigate scenes while paused, allowing you to focus in to see the incredible detail that went into crafting this game's look and feel. Zoomed out you notice the lighting effects and the environmental beauty, and zoomed in you pick up the subtlety of movements and skins. One incredible camera movement was witnessed when I zoomed in on a fight with a gang leader as we engaged in melee combat through the streets of the Peninsula District and waded into the knee-deep waters of a small sewer canal. Some doors are hard to select when the camera gets pointed the wrong way, but that's a minor complaint for an otherwise pliant and welcomed flexibility in camera choice.
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