Neverwinter Nights 2 Rant (Major plot spoiler)

[Jumpingmedic]

Ok you've been warned; if you read beyond this point the plot will be spoiled.



I can't stand it... Forgotten Realms is my favourite RPG series ever, probably the best fiction and rule set of all RPGs. But after just completing NWN2 I find myself forced to re-evaluate that opinion. This is without question the most diabolical ending to any game ever. Words fail me as to describe just how bad the ending to NWN2 is. It's beyond bad, it's an insult to the entire genre.

I suppose the intention was to leave an opening for a sequel, but whoever came up with an ending where half your "loyal" companions desert you, forcing you to kill them, and then seemingly killing the main character needs one very solid punch in the face. Its not just that either... the ending for the major villains was terrible too. after all the hype over this "King" of shadows I was left thoroughly disappointed. Even without all the unnecessary slaughter of your friends the ending would have been truly disappointing anyway. The pointless death of Shandra should have prepared me for inevitable disappointment but somehow I kept the faith.

It wasn't just the ending either, I was unhappy from the get go but stuck it out to the end. There was so much wrong with the game... I played a paladin of Tyr yet not once was this brought up, despite the fact that a large portion of the game revolves around Tyr. It's oversights like that that really cripple a story. The half-arsed "romance" with Casavir was equally infuriating, both of us paladins of Tyr, but did that come up... nope. At least the romance in NWN 1 with Aarin had a bit of story to it. Haven't played a male character all the way through yet but after seeing the ending my enthusiasm for recompleting it is severely drained

There's no continuity... it just feels like I stepped in, saved the world then died... it's not only dull but depressing too. If they do make a sequel (and I can't imagine there's much market for it given this game's performance) it'll have a hell of a lot of fixing up to do.

I completed NWN1 multiple times with all kinds of races and classes and loved every minute of it. I started 3 different characters in NWN2 but I don't have the heart to finish the game with the other two now that I've seen what awaits them.

Failing the ability to punch the developers I'm going to go punch my pillow... I mean good smegging grief how can those guys sleep at night. Sorry for the rant... but I had to get that off my chest, surely others who've completed this game have a similar rage?

 

[Bigpig]

The blame is faily at Obsidain feet. The same thing happened with kOTR2.
Obsidian take over from BioWare and the end story goes to hell.

Edit: I still got to say KOTR2&NWN2 where more polished better gameplay. Just the standard of story and ending was not on par

 

[platypus]

Sadly, I agree with you Medic.

I've replayed NWN so many times its bordering on insanity now, I could film a 'NWNDoneQuick' I know the game so well, Ive played every class, done every single side quest/story and I still love the game.

NWN2, like so many sequels, just utterly failed to deliver. Deus Ex II, Thief 3, KOTOR II, Doom III, HL2, etc. Its endemic of the way the games industry has moved.

It's gone from low budget companies that have to produce good games to survive to movie scale budgets that, like Hollywood, don't give a four-x about how good a game is, but how pretty it looks, and who is starring in it.

 

[Briton]

The blame is faily at Obsidain feet. The same thing happened with kOTR2.
Obsidian take over from BioWare and the end story goes to hell.

Edit: I still got to say KOTR2&NWN2 where more polished better gameplay. Just the standard of story and ending was not on par

To be fair the official campaign of Neverwinter Nights was rubbish (not specifically the ending). The expansions were far better but Bioware are not completely innocent.

 

[Jumpingmedic]

It's gone from low budget companies that have to produce good games to survive to movie scale budgets that, like Hollywood, don't give a four-x about how good a game is, but how pretty it looks, and who is starring in it.

It's infuriating... the only companies with good ideas for games are the ones too poor to make them. You're right about the Hollywood aspect of games these days. It's all about graphics and voice overs. The plot seems to be getting a feeble showing in most modern games.

Maybe someone should blow up Nvidia and ATI without them forcing the gfx costs of games through the roof companies could concentrate on gameplay instead. Bring back the infinity engine! ^_^

 

[Jumpingmedic]

Edit: I still got to say KOTR2&NWN2 where more polished better gameplay. Just the standard of story and ending was not on par

Well thats the problem NWN2 was all polish and no substance, the gfx requirements were too high in the first place.

We need a revolution to bring down the quality of gaming graphics so developers can work on the plot instead of the shiny stuff.

 

[platypus]

We need a revolution to bring down the quality of gaming graphics so developers can work on the plot instead of the shiny stuff.

I can't see this happening sadly

I'm warily looking forward to Crysis and Hellgate:London for this reason. I really enjoyed Farcry, it looked pretty, but more importantly was genuinely fun to play, especially the multiplayer with friends. Crysis looks amazing, which is why I'm tentatively worried about gameplay, but the sandbox mode has resurrected my hope.

As for HG:L, well it being pushed back was a good thing, but again, whilst it looks amazing, the proof will be in the playing.

 

[Burt]

On the brightside you now have a sea of superior community made modules to enjoy.

 

[GFX707]

I think you expected too much. NWN was pretty cheesy, the standard "save the world" storyline, etc.

Did you honestly think something amazing and original would happen?