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GC 2008: Neverwinter Nights 2: The Storm of Zehir Impressions

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By Justin Calvert, GameSpot, Posted Aug 21, 2008 8:19 pm GMT

We meet with Obsidian to check out a work-in-progress version of the second Neverwinter Nights 2 expansion pack.

Earlier today, during a visit to Atari's booth at the 2008 Games Convention in Leipzig, we had an opportunity to meet with Obsidian Entertainment's Matt Rorie and take a look at Neverwinter Nights 2: The Storm of Zehir. Currently scheduled for release toward the end of this year, the second Neverwinter Nights 2 expansion will add a number of new classes and gameplay features to the popular role-playing game, many of which we got to see in action today.

The Storm of Zehir takes place during the same time period as the first NWN2 expansion, Mask of the Betrayer. The upcoming game takes place in a completely different area of the world, though, and tasks you with preventing Zehir, the god of poison, snakes, and darkness, from taking over the Forgotten Realm. The new content is designed for characters between the levels of 3 and 15; although it's possible for you to import an existing character, the idea is that you'll create not just a new one, but a whole group of them. The new party-creation system lets you create up to four characters from scratch and, as you progress through the game, you'll have room to add two of the scripted characters to your party for a total of six.

Somewhere in that mix you'll almost certainly want to check out the new classes that are being introduced in The Storm of Zehir, which include the swashbuckler, the doomguide, and the hellfire warlock. We were afforded brief looks at all three today, and they should be a fun group to hang out with. The swashbuckler is a fighter class that employs precision strikes and, as such, is more reliant on dexterity than strength. The doomguide is a cleric prestige class that's incredibly powerful against the undead. And the hellfire warlock is a prestige class that's more demonic than a regular warlock and, as we witnessed today, can use a hellfire-shield ability that consumes the character in flames to reflect damage back at attackers.

The Storm of Zehir will also add a party-conversation system that, put simply, gives every character in your party the ability to converse with non-player characters and creatures that you encounter. You'll want to be choosy about who you let speak up though, and sometimes--for example, when the party was confronted by a large group of jungle goblins like those we saw today--it won't matter how skilled your characters are in diplomacy or intimidation because enemies like that just aren't going to be talked out of fighting.

Other new features that we got to see during today's demo included the 3D overland map, on which you can interact with other characters and encounter monsters, and the new death system, which forces you to resurrect your fallen party members or have them healed in a town rather than simply bringing them back to life at the end of the current combat. We didn't get to see it, but we're told that The Storm of Zehir will also introduce a new crafting system that will let you create many items simply by using your inventory screen (whereas you might previously have had to visit a blacksmith).

Look for more on Neverwinter Nights 2: The Storm of Zehir in the coming weeks and months.

34 Comments

  • karateguy1

    Posted Aug 31, 2008 6:34 am GMT

    I enjoyed NWN2, but MotB was a mess. Way too confusing. I rather thought they should have continued th eoriginal storyline and had th eparty work it's way out of Shadow. Anyway, I hope the 2nd expansion will be better.

  • Arabin

    Posted Aug 27, 2008 9:36 am GMT

    I'm looking forward to this, and the map looks like an interesting feature, sure to be adopted quickly by the mod community. Also glad we are getting back to reasonable levels though. For me, D&D was always more fun in the lower levels when it was about adventure. The upper levels, planes travelling, armies marching... didn't interest me as much.

  • Kraheera

    Posted Aug 26, 2008 9:18 pm GMT

    I rather enjoyed MotB, to be honest. Gann was certainly unusual in his background, and I rather enjoyed the fact that you teamed up with a Thayan wizard. Highly unusual in Forgotten Realms mythos.

  • Cleanholio

    Posted Aug 26, 2008 10:51 am GMT

    I wish there were more games in the IWD, BG, and NWN genre...

  • arc_salvo

    Posted Aug 25, 2008 4:08 pm GMT

    Well, I hope this expansion'll combine the intersting storyline and wonderful voice acting and gameplay in NWN2 and combine it with the well-paced gameplay of the MOTB Expansion. I found the gameplay rough, unpolished, and buggy in the NWN2 OC, but the characters and plot to be wonderful, but the characters and story in the MOTB expansion to be mediocre despite the great gameplay.

  • blueliquidplus

    Posted Aug 25, 2008 2:35 pm GMT

    NWN2 had its moments but it was plagued by series of issues.. NWN2MotB has been quite interesting so far.. the 8 hour time delay on resting was a cool addition.. but honestly I was looking forward to more end game content.. more for my epic characters to plow through.. oh well I'm sure it will be fun none the less

    Oh and BG, ToSC, BGII, ToB, were much better than the NWN series by far.. although they too had thier issues it was easier to forget them.. and the first time you turn into that bhaal spawn in BG2 just brings a smile to my face =D

  • forhekset

    Posted Aug 25, 2008 2:06 am GMT

    NWN2 and especially MotB were a narrative delight. Obsidian finally learnt from all their mistakes and got it right for MotB.

    Hopefully your create-a-party involves some characterful and interesting narrative options, or at least gives them some form of character to begin with. I don't want to be followed around by a bunch of soulless drones that don't speak up.

  • Death_Masta187

    Posted Aug 24, 2008 6:09 pm GMT

    bradfel:
    NWN 2 is utter crap compared BG1-2, IWD1-2, PS:T
    I miss BIS now.. I know ill miss pre EA Bioware also

    Im sure NWN2 would have been a great game if the voice acting wasn't so hit or miss and there wasn't so many bugs..

  • bradfel

    Posted Aug 24, 2008 3:37 pm GMT

    @Elhan
    Baldur's Gate was not developed by BIS. It was developed in full by Bioware, including the Infinity Engine which was later used by BIS to develop IWD and PS:T... The only part BIS had in the process was some assistance in developing the audio/movie engine and publishing it.

    Other than that... I mostly agree.

  • Elhan

    Posted Aug 24, 2008 5:56 am GMT

    Anyone who thinks NWN 2 is the best CRPG needs to play BG 1 or 2 or IWD or PS:T. Those are the true classics. NWN 1 does not qualify, though HOTU does. NWN 2 is great, and so is its expansion, but it is just not on the same plane as the BIS games. Not even close. First come the BIS games, then TES games, and then NWN1/2. NWN2's expansion was a classic, though. Excellent game, however linear it may have been.

    This game sounds great, and much more similar to the BIS classics. Let's hope it is.

    BTW I agree with those who found the Warlock underwhelming. Relative to the Complete Arcane version, which is one of the coolest D&D classes ever, it is. Aside from BG2, CRPGs have never been able to capture D&D's magical splendour quite well.

    "... I wonder how flawed this title will be since it's obvious they are just trying to milk some more money from the people who bought the original..."

    Oh, you mean actually produce for the sake of making money? Yeah, what a sin that is! In truth, Obsidian did a bang up job with NWN 2. The expansion was terrific, and they surpassed my expectations with it, given that the original NWN 2 was good, but not excellent. If you don't like it, do not spend your money on it. That simple. You're not forced to. If I thought Obsidian was "milking" my money, I wouldn't buy the game, or if I did I'd sell it off. It seems gamers always know better than producers what to produce, what to do and how to do it - if so, please get a loan, or otherwise locate funding, open your own company, and stop whining, or spend on companies that satisfy your preferences (which is really what is at issue here.) As it is, I think it's better than the original NWN...

  • mrpuppy89

    Posted Aug 24, 2008 3:11 am GMT

    But this game is need a very long time to fully complete and that make somebody feel bored and the other thing is the level is limited.

  • prototype24red

    Posted Aug 23, 2008 4:21 pm GMT

    cool

  • SysDefect

    Posted Aug 23, 2008 12:01 pm GMT

    Oh also the only thing that really made NWN1 stand out was user generated content.

  • SysDefect

    Posted Aug 23, 2008 11:57 am GMT

    @rockatanski
    If you enjoy the illusion of roleplaying and a highly streamlined combat system, sure! You realize that Fallout 3 isn't even a d20 based game right? It's SPECIAL, and really from what I've seen Bethesda is ignoring what those stats have traditionally meant.

    @Johnangeljack
    Definitely will have to agree that WRPG's have been constantly degrading, NWN1 in my opinion was pretty trashy, though the combat may have been more fun to play than say BG's per se because it was a little slower paced and easier but honestly, has D&D combat been anything but bland without the elaboration of a good dm?

  • johnangeljack

    Posted Aug 23, 2008 5:32 am GMT

    Baldurs Gate 1&2 were much better but every year comes with worse rpg than the last....NVN 1 was better too

  • rockatanski

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 6:26 pm GMT

    NWN2 is easily the best D&D experience ever on the PC. I think the US version of Fallout 3 is still worth the attempt too

  • Sohryu

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 5:38 pm GMT

    I didn't expect to see a 2nd expansion after MoTB since the story pretty much came to an end. I absolutely loved MoTB so I'm pleasantly surprised by this announcement. Can't wait to play it instead of a watered down Fallout 3.

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