Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir
- Thread starter Ravager69
- Start date
Have there been any improvements to the engine? Specifically, is it able to take advantage of multi-core processors yet? Kind of a deal-breaker for me. I tried playing NWN2 soon after release and the shoddy performance I got out of the damned game drove me off nearly as much as the terrible campaign did.
Gandar, they're using an older version of SecuROM. There's no limited installs, just disc checking and registration key.
Leon, they have improved performance rather a lot throughout all the patches, but the engine doesn't support multi-cores. I believe it's been brought up and they've basically said it would be to much work to start reworking the engine.
It's still definetely not a well-optimized game, but the patches have done a lot for the performance I feel, and I can play it with no problems.
Also, SoZ is just fun as hell. Really enjoying it despite me not usually being a fan of these kind of combat-heavy games.
Leon, they have improved performance rather a lot throughout all the patches, but the engine doesn't support multi-cores. I believe it's been brought up and they've basically said it would be to much work to start reworking the engine.
It's still definetely not a well-optimized game, but the patches have done a lot for the performance I feel, and I can play it with no problems.
Also, SoZ is just fun as hell. Really enjoying it despite me not usually being a fan of these kind of combat-heavy games.
I can play it without any no-cd fixes, just with mounted Mask of Betrayer image on Daemon Tools Pro (this isn't warez talk, right? All I meant to say is, that the game doesn't give me any issues regarding the safety system). I have difficulties with performance as well, but that may stem from my butchered OS. Still, I like how SoZ utilizes practically every skill - finally having a ranger in your party is usefull. Also, warlock kicks some major ass.
Overall, after playing it for a bit I like it, though the dialogues are a bit too candy IMO. Still, it's definetly better than the original campaign.
Overall, after playing it for a bit I like it, though the dialogues are a bit too candy IMO. Still, it's definetly better than the original campaign.
While playing SoZ, you'll soon appreciate that Warlock doesn't need to memorize spells. You can rest only in taverns and in the Overland Map, so you usually use up abilities and spells pretty quick when in dungeons. A warlock can deal damage non-stop, especially with the Eldritch Spear - mobs don't even notice him until it's too late. As for the Hellfire Warlock, I am going to check that class out as soon as my warlock meets the requirements.
Best things in Zehir so far are:
1. Whole bunch of skill checks in dialogs/exploration/world manipulation.
2. Short dungeons, the thing i most hated in old NWN was long and tedious dungeon crawls.
3. Interesting world map exploration.
4. Useful and simple trading system
5. Much better A.I.
Bad things so far:
1. A.I. is still often buggy
2. 95% game revolves in the wilderness
3. Story is rather weak but its to be expected since Zehir is more inspired with Icewind Dale than Baldurs Gate
All in all, so far a great game and i expect to spend many more hours playing it.
1. Whole bunch of skill checks in dialogs/exploration/world manipulation.
2. Short dungeons, the thing i most hated in old NWN was long and tedious dungeon crawls.
3. Interesting world map exploration.
4. Useful and simple trading system
5. Much better A.I.
Bad things so far:
1. A.I. is still often buggy
2. 95% game revolves in the wilderness
3. Story is rather weak but its to be expected since Zehir is more inspired with Icewind Dale than Baldurs Gate
All in all, so far a great game and i expect to spend many more hours playing it.
I bought the game and it really reminds me of Icewind Dale.AI is a lot better than in the past although far from being perfect as marko2te already stated.As for the story,it's not bad compered to some "blockbusters" out there.....oh and Ravager69, Warlock is good but Hellfire is just plain sick(along side ASC considered cheating).
I really like zehir, right now my main char is a warlock, nice caracter.
The game so far is nice, i like the voices, volo and the sasi girl have nice voices, right now i just kick all my party and leave just cohorts with me, i make bad decisions on the moment of make then (i just know the basics of d&d, and this new versions after versions are getting me crazy, everything change hehe no more TAC0
).
Indeed the explorations is really cool, the maps remind me a jrpg and i don't want mean thats bad, i mean thats is really nice use all those skills that before this game where useless on rangers and rogues.
There is soldiers on the map guarding around you can help then to fight or just past near then, monsters on the map can catch you, if you got high hide skill you can avoid then.
I recommend it, there is much more stuff to explain here, but i don't want spoil much.
Sorry my english is not my main language.
The game so far is nice, i like the voices, volo and the sasi girl have nice voices, right now i just kick all my party and leave just cohorts with me, i make bad decisions on the moment of make then (i just know the basics of d&d, and this new versions after versions are getting me crazy, everything change hehe no more TAC0
). Indeed the explorations is really cool, the maps remind me a jrpg and i don't want mean thats bad, i mean thats is really nice use all those skills that before this game where useless on rangers and rogues.
There is soldiers on the map guarding around you can help then to fight or just past near then, monsters on the map can catch you, if you got high hide skill you can avoid then.
I recommend it, there is much more stuff to explain here, but i don't want spoil much.
Sorry my english is not my main language.
OK a quick review
- Main story isn't very immersive, but it's enough. You're not chasing some uber evil (well, you're not leading a crusade against it, but it'll eventually get in you way, so you'll have to deal with it sooner or later), trying to save the world, but are a person who was at a right place, at a right time. You're simply a leader of a capable adventuring band, employed by a rich merchant. This gives a lot space for making your own story, which is great. VO gets annoying in few places, but it's passable and writing is WAY better than Fallout 3's. If you have the right skills to find hidden locations, there is also a lot of little stories hidden throughout the game.
- Each dungeon is worth exploring and aren't too long (usually 10 minutes max.)
- Trade system is easy and fun
- Overland map is great, though it has some minor flaws
- Part conversation is teh shizt, your PC no longer needs to be jack-of-all-trades and you can focus him towards the way you want him to, without loosing any content. Also, lots of skill, class, atribute, and sometimes race or faith checks customize the dialouge, so a intimidating warlock speaks diffrently than a well-manered bard. Also, cohorts have lots of personal dialogue options (which aren't neccessary to choose, so you won't get into trouble 'cause of them), so they aren't mute clones.
- Gameplay is kept on low level, without powerful artifacts littering the dungeons and shops. To get a decent equipment you have to work a *lot*, no longer will you have dillemas like "is the +10 fire scythe of destruction better than the dual kukri of silent death?" all the time. There are lots of opportunities to spend gold, so most likely you won't be running with 500k of gold coins like in OC and MotB. Also, lots of shops can offer no more than 1000 coins per item, so no quick getting rich.
- You get to see places and people from the OC and some loose ends are tied.
Overall, as an expansion it gets a 9\10 from me. If the original campaign looked more like this, without the epic story of saving the world, it would be a whole lot better game. Is it worth to buy the basic NWN2 for it? I've seen cheap bundle packs with NWN2, MotB and SoZ, so it may be worth to ponny up some cash. If you alredy have NWN2, it's definetly worth to buy.
*EDIT* Oh man, I gotta take 1 from that 9\10 because of the bugs. The game needs serious patching, so if you plan on buying it anytime soon, wait for a proper patch.
- Main story isn't very immersive, but it's enough. You're not chasing some uber evil (well, you're not leading a crusade against it, but it'll eventually get in you way, so you'll have to deal with it sooner or later), trying to save the world, but are a person who was at a right place, at a right time. You're simply a leader of a capable adventuring band, employed by a rich merchant. This gives a lot space for making your own story, which is great. VO gets annoying in few places, but it's passable and writing is WAY better than Fallout 3's. If you have the right skills to find hidden locations, there is also a lot of little stories hidden throughout the game.
- Each dungeon is worth exploring and aren't too long (usually 10 minutes max.)
- Trade system is easy and fun
- Overland map is great, though it has some minor flaws
- Part conversation is teh shizt, your PC no longer needs to be jack-of-all-trades and you can focus him towards the way you want him to, without loosing any content. Also, lots of skill, class, atribute, and sometimes race or faith checks customize the dialouge, so a intimidating warlock speaks diffrently than a well-manered bard. Also, cohorts have lots of personal dialogue options (which aren't neccessary to choose, so you won't get into trouble 'cause of them), so they aren't mute clones.
- Gameplay is kept on low level, without powerful artifacts littering the dungeons and shops. To get a decent equipment you have to work a *lot*, no longer will you have dillemas like "is the +10 fire scythe of destruction better than the dual kukri of silent death?" all the time. There are lots of opportunities to spend gold, so most likely you won't be running with 500k of gold coins like in OC and MotB. Also, lots of shops can offer no more than 1000 coins per item, so no quick getting rich.
- You get to see places and people from the OC and some loose ends are tied.
Overall, as an expansion it gets a 9\10 from me. If the original campaign looked more like this, without the epic story of saving the world, it would be a whole lot better game. Is it worth to buy the basic NWN2 for it? I've seen cheap bundle packs with NWN2, MotB and SoZ, so it may be worth to ponny up some cash. If you alredy have NWN2, it's definetly worth to buy.
*EDIT* Oh man, I gotta take 1 from that 9\10 because of the bugs. The game needs serious patching, so if you plan on buying it anytime soon, wait for a proper patch.