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NWN 2 Preview @ Action Trip
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Kalia
Eager Tradesman
Eager Tradesman




Joined: 07 Jan 2005
Posts: 30
Location: Arizona
NWN 2 Preview @ Action Trip
   

Another nice preview for NWN2 has popped up at Action Trip. The opening paragraph gives all hardcore RPers pause as we ponder the upcoming releases of games such as Oblivion, Dragon Age, and Gothic 3. Compared to the relative dearth of true RPGs released in 2005, 2006 is shaping up to be a great year. Of course, no list of soon-to-be-released games would be complete without prominent mention of Obsidian's Neverwinter Nights 2: <blockquote><em>Of course, one of the things that ensured the longevity of the NWN franchise over the years, was the constantly thriving community of mod-makers. Even so, a great number of players objected to the many aspects of Bioware's Aurora Toolset. That's why Obsidian put its recourses and energy into creating both a new graphics engine (the Electron engine) and a brand new toolset. This time around, mod creators will have access to numerous options in order to fine-tune their desired mods. After modifying lighting, colors, terrain, movement scripts and dialogue trees, players can see how it all works in practice. Also, as opposed to the earlier toolset, players don't have to rely on predetermined tile sets. With the help of the new toolset, it will be very easy to place trees, bushes, crates, barrels, and buildings across the landscape. Furthermore, altering terrain shape is quite straightforward and intuitive. Those who prefer toying with outdoor areas will find the whole system most useful, seeing as it offers a chance to determine the speed of day and night cycles; plus you can also position cloud formations, grass that sways in the wind etc. Indoor areas offer an equally satisfying range of tweaking options. You may meddle with shadows and light sources, and test the results in game right after. To flavor things a bit more, <b>you'll get a chance to edit and customize your own special effects, creating a variety of visually impressive spells.</b> It should open a whole range of possibilities for NWN mode-makers.</em></blockquote> Head over to <a href="http://www.actiontrip.com/previews/neverwinternights2.phtml" target="_blank">Action Trip</a> to read the rest of this excellent preview.
***EDIT***Thanks to Rhomal of NWN2News.net for pointing out that the bolded section above is brand spanking new information! Thanks!***
Post Tue Dec 06, 2005 3:23 am
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Acleacius
King of the Realms
King of the Realms




Joined: 24 Dec 2002
Posts: 453
   

This may have already been known to many, but that is great news to have a 3rd person view like KotOR, that will improve the game drasticly.

I have played many isometric view games and really liked many and loved some, but they always seem so dated, far removed from the gameworld and out of place since maybe the 21st century.
Thou I dont really play many strat or sims so maybe they are still viable there.

It has always seemed like such a waste they increable worlds built and then the player is SO far removed, it actually removes the player from feeling of being in the world.
Post Tue Dec 06, 2005 3:32 am
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doctor_kaz
Keeper of the Gates
Keeper of the Gates




Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 108
Location: West Virginia, USA
   

quote:
Originally posted by Acleacius
This may have already been known to many, but that is great news to have a 3rd person view like KotOR, that will improve the game drasticly.

I have played many isometric view games and really liked many and loved some, but they always seem so dated, far removed from the gameworld and out of place since maybe the 21st century.
Thou I dont really play many strat or sims so maybe they are still viable there.

It has always seemed like such a waste they increable worlds built and then the player is SO far removed, it actually removes the player from feeling of being in the world.


Why do you think that a zoomed out view is outdated? It's done so that combat will have some tactical value. It's not about utilizing technology, nor is it old fashioned. Great combat was one of the things that separated games like Temple of Elemental Evil or Baldurs Gate 2 from the crappy combat in Neverwinter Nights. 3rd person view is more immersive for exploration and dialog, but it neuters ranged combat and makes it crappy and repetitive, like Kotor. A lot of stuff in D&D takes place at long range. Hopefully, you'll be able to zoom out for combat to get a better view of the battlefield. Otherwise, spell casters will be at a huge disadvantage, and ranged spells/combat will be basically useless, and the game will be a disappointment. Unless the game is so dialog-heavy that it doesn't matter, but the only game I have ever played like that is Planescape: Torment. Like it or not, combat is a huge part of any RPG. If the combat is too oversimplified and repetitive, then it gets boring fast, and so does the game. I quit playing Kotor 2 because I was so bored with Kotor's combat.

The preview says that you'll be able to adjust your henchman's inventory, and it calls that "innovation". Yeah sure, being able to adjust henchman's inventory is "innovation". I just got less optomistic about this game.
Post Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:33 pm
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