NWN 2, Dark Messiah getting 'limited'

When it was released in 2002, BioWare's PC role-player Neverwinter Nights didn't launch with a pricier, featured-packed special edition. That might have been because the standard game--originally released for $60--packed in a thick manual, cloth map, and other goodies often found in beefed-up special editions.

But Neverwinter Nights' publisher, Atari, may be cooking up a bona fide special edition for the game's sequel. Game retailer GameStop's Web site lists a product listing for Neverwinter Nights 2 Limited Edition, complete with box art--a sign that the product is almost certainly genuine.

The $60 Neverwinter Nights 2 Limited Edition shares the same October 17 release date and pending ESRB rating but features several exclusives. The limited edition will ship with an art book, a cloth map of the game world, an exclusive Blessed of Waukeen feat, two special items, a unique weapon, and a "magical golden aura" that shines above your game character when playing.

If the existence of the Neverwinter Nights 2 Limited Edition proves true, the game will have three versions in all. The game is already available for preorder in two formats, DVD and CD-ROM, both for $50. Meanwhile, fan site nwn2wiki.org is now sporting dual images that indicate the game's limited editions will come with a choice of two box arts--loyal good and chaotic evil.

An Atari representative would not confirm to GameSpot the Neverwinter Nights 2 Limited Edition title.

Neverwinter Nights wasn't the only RPG to--potentially--get the privilege of a shinier special edition. A limited edition for Dark Messiah of Might Magic, Arkane Studios' fantasy RPG powered by Valve Software's Source engine, also appeared online Tuesday, this time on Amazon. The retailer lists a price of $60 for "Dark Messiah Limited Edition," $10 more than the standard version.

The Dark Messiah special edition doesn't feature a high-quality box-art image, but neither does the standard edition. The Amazon listing, however, does include a description of the limited edition's "premium in-game extras," including a making-of video, soundtrack CD, one multiplayer character skin, four unique single-player weapons, and collective character cards.

But while the different versions of Neverwinter Nights 2 share release dates, Dark Messiah's don't. The standard edition sports a September 26 date, while Amazon lists an October 24 date for the limited edition.

Ubisoft, the game's publisher, refused to confirm a Dark Messiah of Might Magic limited edition to GameSpot.