Neverwinter Nights 2

The sequel to Bioware’s popular role-playing game (RPG) Neverwinter Nights (which is pretty much responsible for introducing a lot of gamers to the genre), is here at last. This time around, it’s been developed by Obsidian Entertainment (OE), so you expect them to have added their own flavor into the mix. Now, let’s take a look at what the game has in-store for all us RPG cravers and whether it lives up to what we expected it to.

The first step in any RPG is character creation, which is what really sets you apart and defines the kind of 'role' you wish to play in the game. In Neverwinter Nights 2 (NWN 2) you are required to go through 9 steps for character creation which offers a lot of choice and allows you to mould your character the way you want to. I know 9 steps sounds a bit daunting, but the game does a good job of simplifying it for you by providing the 'Recommended' button which makes the choices for all of you lazy RPG-ers and at the same time gives you a good description for each and every choice that you consider in case you wish to customize your character.

The most important part in making your character is Class selection. For those who are new to the genre and wish to play a caster class, the game provides a new 'Warlock' class, which doesn’t share the kind of restrictions other casters like Wizards and Sorcerers have. The game also provides you with Prestige Classes like its predecessor, which have special requirements you need to meet, in order to unlock.

After shaping up your character you can finally start the Single Player Campaign, which is really well designed. It has the kind of grandeur you’ve seen in its predecessor, but with more character depth, which works to form a more involving experience. The characters you come across in the game are quite clichéd, such as a burly, foul-mouth dwarf you meet in the beginning of your adventure (just like you do in almost every other RPG). But OE's given each character some goofy quirks, which makes them more unique, when you get to know them. Also, the game features some brilliant voice acting, which makes for a lot more believable populace. Even your henchmen have an identity of their own; they interact in all your conversations, giving their opinion and helping you out with the game's progression, and in doing so, making themselves an integral part of the storyline.