Guide Note

Neverwinter Nights is a 2002 role-playing game developed by BioWare and is based on the third edition Dungeons & Dragons and Forgotten Realms rules. The game is the first installment in a series of expansions and one full sequel, Neverwinter Nights 2'.

Story

Neverwinter Nights is set in the fantasy world of “Forgotten Realms,” where BioWare has classically set other previous fantasy RPGs, such as Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. The city of Neverwinter is being swept by a deadly plague known as the “Wailing Death,” and you are summoned to Lady Aribeth for counsel. Aribeth requests that you go out into the city, and kill four specific monsters whose blood will mix to form a cure for the plague. However, upon completing the quest the antidote is stolen by Desther, a member the mysterious cult that spread the plague to begin with. After he is captured, you and Aribeth track the cult to the city of Luskan, where you must go and put a stop to their evil intentions.

Gameplay

Neverwinter Nights contains four different elements: the campaign, the toolset, the DM client, and the multiplayer mode. The campaign is at least 60-80 hours and is action-based. You can create your character from a variety of races and classes and even customize the physical attributes of your character. Even with classes, many of the characters can learn various skills that used to be restricted to specific classes, although some classes will be better at certain skills than others (rogues will be better at picking locks, priests will be better at healing, etc). The multi-class system also allows you to to train in any of the 11 classes whenever you gain experience points. The game plays much like other action RPGs in that most of the game is spent on quests and leveling up. Gameplay is based on your keyboard or mouse. You can move with the W, A, S, and D keys or you can click on a part of the map to tell your character where to go. Right-clicking allows you to open up a menu that lets you easily perform skills. There are also, a dozen customizable macro buttons that allow you to set up convenient one-click (or one-key) access to different weapons, spells, items, special abilities, etc. There is also the element of good and evil in the game. Depending on how you play the game also affects your alignment towards good or evil. For people who want to create customizable maps and games, the Aurora toolset allows you to do just that. There is also a multi-player option that allows you to host your own module over the internet or join someone else's game. You can either play as a co-op or play against each other. The online component is almost completely community-driven filled with user-created content.

Fast Facts:

1. Developer: Bioware
2. Platforms: Mac, PC
3. Mode: Single or Multi-player
4. Supports one of the largest online communities of user-created content
5. Game has two expansion packs: Shadows of the Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark.
6. ESRB Rating: Teen-to-Mature (T-M)
7. Release Date: June 16, 2002