Zel-kun’s Words

Holy crap in a hat, where the hell have I been?

I’ve been playing Neverwinter Nights, which is cybernetic crack, I can’t get enough of it. I’m playing it before work, after work, and I’m pretty sure I’m playing it my sleep. The fact that such an exquisite game as this has gone under my notice for this long is a crime against nature.

I picked up the Diamond edition, which comes with the original Neverwinter and all the expansions, for $30. And I will say, it is the best $30 I’ve ever spent. After being jerked around by PC game companies releasing half-finished pieces of crap, I thought I’d never buy a game again. Neverwinter Nights has made an impression on this skeptical mind. Bioware, I thank you for making such an outstanding game. And here’s why:

The Plot

The plot is very good, with lots of freedom, and just enough linearity to keep me interested. There’s a few twists and turns, but no true surprises if you talk to everybody and learn of the back plot. The subtleties of the characters and their emotions. It truly makes me feel like I’m playing a pen and paper RPG.

The Mechanics

The mechanics are almost flawless. Utilizing a somewhat tweaked 3rd edition ruleset. Stat management is simple, allowing you to focus more on strategy and battle. The downsides? You can’t equip your henchman, leading to some odd things. Like a rogue with 26 DEX (+9 Modifier) equipped with studded leather armor (Max +4 modifier), which means he actually decreases his AC by having the armor.

The Graphics

The graphics aren’t fantastic, but they’re not bad. Using crafting to change the appearance of your weapons and armor is nice, even if the crafting system has little actual utility.

Epic Feel

This is a phrase coined by my good friend Pete. This is integral for any RPG that seeks greatness. The plot just can’t be good, it needs to be epic. You need to feel compelled to finish, you WANT to save the world. You need to feel like you’re doing something big and important, something no one else can do. Very few games succeed in this. Here’s a short list of games I feel achieve this:

Final Fantasy IV (II US)
Final Fantasy VI (III US)
Breath of Fire
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy Tactics

There may be more, but these are the four that come immediately to mind. One may note that all five of those carry the Squaresoft label.

While we’re on the subject of PC Games, I’d like to introduce you to the newest features of Zelkun.com, the Hall of Fame and the Hall of Shame.

Well, that’s all for now.

Zel-kun out.