Topic: NWN2 -- The HUGE, HUGE Thread

[MysterD]

NWN2 is pretty good, to say the least.

[Xessive]

Gamespot just posted their Neverwinter Nights 2 Hardware Performance Guide and Game Guide.

[MysterD]

Meeting "Bishop" SPOILERS

(click to show/hide)

Yeah, so I just finished the battle at the Sunken Flagon, so I just got Bishop in my party as a new NPC....

....And since I wanted to talk to the NPC, I had to actually use my Diplomacy skill, to give him 20 GOLD pieces to actually get him to have a conversation w/ me....

Yeah, I have to pay to actually talk to my one of my own party members....now that's something you don't see in many RPG's....

That's a different twist...

[Xessive]

Meeting "Bishop" SPOILERS

(click to show/hide)

Yeah, so I just finished the battle at the Sunken Flagon, so I just got Bishop in my party as a new NPC....

....And since I wanted to talk to the NPC, I had to actually use my Diplomacy skill, to give him 20 GOLD pieces to actually get him to have a conversation w/ me....

Yeah, I have to pay to actually talk to my one of my own party members....now that's something you don't see in many RPG's....

That's a different twist...

(click to show/hide)

While all your companions are unique in their own right, Bishop is especially different. For one his alignment is Chaotic Evil, and he seems to have a lot hidden beneath the surface. To sum it up: he's an ass.

[MysterD]

(click to show/hide)

While all your companions are unique in their own right, Bishop is especially different. For one his alignment is Chaotic Evil, and he seems to have a lot hidden beneath the surface. To sum it up: he's an ass.

More "Bishop" talk and spoilers

(click to show/hide)

I find it quite funny that since he's around, at the Flagon we got attacked bythe Gith.

Now w/ him in the party, it seems like suddenly, the Githyanki are coming really out of the woodworks...Namely, in that Village, after he joins your party, where you get ambushed....

Yeah, something's up w/ this cat -- especially given his attitude and his alignment.

I think he's on the bad guys' payroll....

[MysterD]

Obsidian sites the Patch 1.04 List for changes, additions, and whatnot on NWN2's Official Boards

There are a lot of fixes in 1.04, but to give you a little insight, I have smuggled this list out and am posting it for you.. shhhhh.. don't let the rest of Obsidian know:

Version 1.04
New Features

General

• Voice Menu
---Users can now press the Voice Menu key (‘V’ by default) to activate a menu from which they can quickly access frequently used voice commands and emotes. Users can drag these to the hotbar, as well.
• Added support for bindable keys to change the hotbar page.
• You can now drag and drop buttons from the Mode Bar and Quick Cast Menu onto the Hotbar. This will also work for Spontaneously Converted spells.
• Players now have the option to turn on a second horizontal hotbar and 2 vertical hotbars.
• Users can now select in the options menu whether or not they want left click and hold in Driving Camera to move the character or mouselook.
• All combat modes can now be triggered instantly, except for Parry, Rapid Shot, and Flurry of Blows, which are deferred until the beginning of the next round.
---Your pending combat modes are now displayed on the action queue UI, with a countdown ticker, tooltip, and mouse click support.
---You can now toggle of and off a pending combat mode.
---Combat modes are no longer turned off for party members at the end of their combat round.
• Trees throughout the game should look better as many of the tree textures and models have been revamped to be more visually appealing.
• Localized versions of the NWN1 sounds used in the game have been added to their respective languages.
• Several new loading screen tips have been added to v1.04.

DM Client
• DMs can now drag items from the creator menu to the hotbar.
• DMs can now jump directly to an area.
• DMs can now add and subtract experience points, gold and levels.

Scripting
• EffectDamage() – A flag has been added to the EffectDamage()function which allows you to skip Damage Immunity, Damage Reduction, and Damage Resistance. The default for this flag is FALSE, so existing scripts will continue to work the same.
Toolset
• A comment field has been added to the Journal Editor.
• More robust undo/redo support has been added to the Conversation and Journal editors.

Bug Fixes

General
• The Mode Bar and Mini-map will now properly retain their hidden or revealed state after area transitions.
• Improvements have been made which reduce load times in some situations.
• The game will no longer crash when attempting to buy when on a blank page.
• The game’s transition to Act 2 would very rarely fail to occur. This has been made more reliable.

DM Client
• DMs will no longer automatically run lore checks on acquired items.
• Feedback has been added for several DM abilities.
• DMs can now spawn items into containers.
• The DM Client should no longer crash on transition to large exterior areas.

Effects/Spells
• Wildshape and Elemental Shape are no longer dispellable.
• Balagar’s Iron Horn radius reduced from 30 feet to 20 feet.
• Greater Fireburst will now do the correct amount of damage.
• Monks will no longer get their class AC Bonus while wearing armor or using a shield.
• Improved Reaction will now properly calculate uses per day.
• Manyshot will now function as described.
• Characters with crossbows can now use Rapid Shot if they have Rapid Reload.

Items
• The game will no longer crash if you drag an item from a magic bag onto the magic bag which contains it.

Toolset
• TRX files are now renamed when renaming their associated area.


I also believe the Server.exe has been made much more reliable and the DM transitioning to some areas no longer crashes the server.

Now remember, let's just keep this information our little secret.

[Xessive]

Sweet! There are some great fixes and improvements in there!

[MysterD]

Sweet! There are some great fixes and improvements in there!

I can't wait for the patch.

I tell you, NWN2 is a great game and easily one of my nominees for RPG of the Year and also Game of The Year. There's been some great RPG's, but this is the best D&D RPG since probably BG2. There hasn't been a dull moment in this thing and it improves on NWN1 in pretty much every regard -- except for that it doesn't run as well as NWN1, of course.

Only thing that did bug me about the game was namely the damn performance lag. It's much better than what it was for sure, as it runs decent, but I'd like it to run even better -- as it still takes performances hits, every now and then when the engine gets crowded w/ enemies. That was it for complaints. Well, that and the fact Elanee wants to use Wild Shape every 15 freakin' seconds.

I hope NWN2 gets an expansion. I really do. Especially if Obsidian will be doing it.

[Pugnate]

I just bought NWN2. Weeee... $40 + shipping.

[MysterD]

I just bought NWN2. Weeee... $40 + shipping.

Sweet!

I hope you love it as much as I do.

[Pugnate]

I know I will.

*does the happy dance*

[MysterD]

I know I will.

That would be a lot, then.

Of course, the gameplay is excellent....

....though, the story and dialogue in NWN2 is absolutely fantastic.

*does the happy dance*

Weeeeeeeeeee!

[MysterD]

Beta Patch 1.04 is now out.

I wonder when the final version of patch 1.04 will be put out...

And when patch 1.05 will be due out...

[Xessive]

There's a lot to look forward to. The fixes in 1.04 look appetizing, but I think a lot of people are still waiting for more.

Personally I'm waiting on some premium-quality community content, like some new heads and hairstyles. The stock ones generally suck, and for some reason all of the females are not particularly attractive.

[Pugnate]

Well the game finally came, though I am yet to install. God I hope I don't have to do the patch through the auto install. Also the game came in paper sleeves, and the manual doesn't have the cool binding of the original NWN. No map either.

WTF? Has everyone gone cheap?

[MysterD]

There's a lot to look forward to. The fixes in 1.04 look appetizing, but I think a lot of people are still waiting for more.

We always want more....hehe.

Yuh, 1.04 has some cool stuff, it sounds -- but yeah, I want more, too!

Personally I'm waiting on some premium-quality community content, like some new heads and hairstyles.

I would so go for this!

[MysterD]

Well the game finally came, though I am yet to install. God I hope I don't have to do the patch through the auto install.

Yup. There is no "critical rebuild" as they like to call them (a.k.a. full patch) released to download on your own....yet.....

You will have to run the "Update" option in your game menu when you Auto-run the game.....

Also the game came in paper sleeves, and the manual doesn't have the cool binding of the original NWN. No map either.

I got the DVD Edition --- I threw it in a slim CD case, basically.

WTF? Have everyone gone cheap?

That's Atari for you.....

[Pugnate]

This is the DVD edition and there are two sleeves, one is a D&D online trial. Anyway last time it was published by Atari as well, so what gives?

[Xessive]

Yeah, mine was in a paper sleeve too. At least it was a DVD, Thank God! The second DVD disc is the D&D Online trial, which I have no interest in trying, especially not with my current internet connection.

I think I'm just gonna get one of those big-ass disc albums and keep all my games in it. Keeps 'em safe and saves a lot of space. The one minor issue is the game manuals, I'll probably just find a drawer for them or something, except some of games have the CD key written on or in the manual.

[MysterD]

This is the DVD edition and there are two sleeves, one is a D&D online trial. Anyway last time it was published by Atari as well, so what gives?

A lot of Atari games, in the last few years, have been in PAPER SLEEVES for me -- such as TOEE, NWN 1, NWN: SOU expansion, NWN2.

Though, NWN: HOTU came w/ a cool ass cardboard set-up a la original box for PS:T.

I expect Atari to be cheap and do this.

[Xessive]

Good news! Patch v1.04 is out!

[MysterD]

Good news! Patch v1.04 is out!

Thank you.

*Updating*

[MysterD]

"Trial" Quest

(click to show/hide)

I did the trial main quest against Torio.

That was an awesome quest.

Especially since it ALSO can takes in consideration certain specific "side quests", too -- such as the one Nya gives you.

[Xessive]

"Trial" Quest

(click to show/hide)

I did the trial main quest against Torio.

That was an awesome quest.

Especially since it ALSO can takes in consideration certain specific "side quests", too -- such as the one Nya gives you.

YEah that was a good one Made me feel good to be good

[Pugnate]

So far I've been trying to update NWN2 for the past 36 hours. It disconnects each time very frustratingly. Finally it did connect and while patching it told me I had not enough disk space! I had 3 gigs left so I was disappointed to say the least.

Now I've switched it to a new drive and am attempting again. I wish there was a direct link or something.

[Xessive]

Yeah, I really wish there was an individual download like classic NWN.

[Pugnate]

Finally got done. I can't stop watching Battlestar Galactica or I'd start playing already heh.

[MysterD]

Yeah, I really wish there was an individual download like classic NWN.

Yeah, the "critical rebuilds." I wish they had those, too. They need to!

I'm really hoping for an expansion for NWN2, myself.

NWN2 is excellent, now that the game has been patched a few times -- to add new camera tweak, toolbars and performance tweaks, just to name a few things.

When's patch 1.05 coming?

[Xessive]

Yeah, the "critical rebuilds." I wish they had those, too. They need to!

I'm really hoping for an expansion for NWN2, myself.

NWN2 is excellent, now that the game has been patched a few times -- to add new camera tweak, toolbars and performance tweaks, just to name a few things.

When's patch 1.05 coming?

I'm not sure when 1.05 is coming, but I read it's gonna be a quick fix and should come relatively soon. Basically something to hold us till the major fixes in 1.06.

[MysterD]

I'm not sure when 1.05 is coming, but I read it's gonna be a quick fix and should come relatively soon. Basically something to hold us till the major fixes in 1.06.

Really?

That fast???

Hmm.....I wonder what some of the quick fixes will be....

And I wonder what they got in store for 1.06.....

EDIT:
Thanks for the heads up, Xessive.

Looks like they already thinking about 1.06 and 1.07, from this

1.05 is pretty much already decided. Jump to 1.07

1.05 will try to cover some of the small, annoying things we have heard you guys talk about. It will be a quick fix hopefully out soon to allow us to work on 1.06.

1.06 may take a little longer as it is meant to address some larger issues.

I don't have a list of fixes yet, but when I do, I'll get it posted.

[MysterD]

GameBanshee has a Post-NWN2 Interview w/ Sr. Producer for Obsidian, Ryan Rucinski

Game Banshee: What are your plans for supporting NWN2 over the next month, year, and beyond?

Ryan Rucinski (Senior Producer of Obsidian): Beyond. We don't have a set date but we are continuing to support the title and the fans that purchased this game. I know at the time of this writing we are putting up a patch right now, and working out the plans for the next two patches.

Very nice!

GB: Aside from bug fixes, do you plan on adding any new content (equipment, feats, spells, etc.) in future patches?

RR: We have been doing a bit of that already. It is mainly features though. I don't want to get expectations too high, but we are still creating content, now it is a matter of how and when we want to get it out there.

Yay for the 3 new extra hotbars in 1.04!!!

GB: Are there any plans to pursue a premium module program similar to what we saw with BioWare's original Neverwinter Nights?

RR: The program itself continually crops up, it's a matter of making it work for all parties involved though. I am certain that once a decision is made either way, there will be an announcement.

Okay.

GB: Neverwinter Nights 2 offers more races and classes than the original NWN and its expansion packs combined. Does this hinder the ability to add new content in an expansion pack or any other premium content releases?

RR: Nope! There is a metric ton of things we could add for an expansion or a premium module. Thus far, people have been so creative and found ways to work in new content using existing rules that it boggles the mind.

Hehe!

GB: Should a Neverwinter Nights 2 expansion be given the green light (if it hasn't already), what content would you personally like to see added to the game?

RR: I personally would want epic levels, new races, new classes, more beasties, more crafting... I could continue to speculate, but hopefully soon, I won't have to. /wink

Oooooh....I knew it would only be a matter of time until we all heard if NWN2 would probably get an expansion.

And I'd love to see epic levels, new race, new classes, and more beasties!!!


 

[Pugnate]

The last six hours I spent playing NWN2. Firstly it looks really sexy and the game is just so awesome.

[MysterD]

The last six hours I spent playing NWN2. Firstly it looks really sexy and the game is just so awesome.

NWN2's a definite major improvement over NWN1's original campaign in, pretty much, every way -- storyline, dialogue, voice-acting, graphics, etc etc.

NWN1's best campaign was Hordes, if you ask me.

[Pugnate]

I think it took a while for me to realize it is NWN2. They made so many major improvements, that only when the old music kicked in during dramatic sequences that it started to feel like NWN.

[Xessive]

I don't know, I felt a little upset when I found that most of the music and character sounds are the exact same ones from NWN1. It would have been a nice nostalgic feeling if it was just one or two tracks, or if the music was remixed or something, but now it just feels like a total cheap move. I love the main title music, and I wish all the other music fit in with it in terms of quality and style. A lot of the game felt kinda ripped off from the original, which was a little disappointing rather than reminiscent.

It seems to me that a lot of the features of NWN2 are a result of lazy design.. For example the inventory, from the interface to the actual objects, everything about it just comes off like they were too lazy to make proper items with matching icons.

As far as I'm concerned the only improvement in NWN2 was visual. It's clearly better looking than NWN1, just not good looking enough for how it performs. When it comes to content I'm still annoyed at how lacking (and ugly) the character creation options are. The main campaign and storyline are decent, but somehow it doesn't feel quite as rich or captivating as any of the NWN1 campaigns. Sure it has some new great features, but I just felt it wasn't quite as good as the original. Don't get me wrong, the storyline is great, just not quite as great as NWN1. That's exactly how I felt about KotOR2 versus KotOR1.

So far, based on everything I've seen from Obsidian, I get the impression that they're kinda lazy, clumsy developers. Of course I'm comparing them to BioWare, who are quite diligent to begin with.

[Pugnate]

From what I've played so far, I have to disagree almost entirely. This feels like its own game so far.

But I must agree with you on the music/sound effects. Sure it is good to pay homage, but you are right that it felt cheap.

[MysterD]

From what I've played so far, I have to disagree almost entirely. This feels like its own game so far.

In certain aspects, yes.

But I must agree with you on the music/sound effects. Sure it is good to pay homage, but you are right that it felt cheap.

I don't mind the re-usage of old music, but there should be a lot more NEW music and NEW sounds than what there actually is in there.

I would like to see Soule do more new music for NWN2 or release some unreleased NWN2 music (if there is any) for the game -- yeah, include that in some sort of patch.

That'd be great, thanks!

[MysterD]

Patch 1.04860 has been updated now to 1.04870, w/ a new HOTFIX.

Run your Auto-updaters!!!

Neverwinter Nights 2 Hotfix [February 08, 2007, 2:44 pm ET] - Viewing Comments
Neverwinter Nights 2 Forums now offer the release of a new hotfix to bring the D&D RPG sequel to version 1.04.870 (thanks NWN2 Vault). In the new version copying and pasting waypoints will no longer crash the toolset and helmets will no longer improperly show up as feathered hats in the toolset. Obsidian also offers assurance that additional issues mentioned by users will be addressed in future patches.

[Pugnate]

I've been doing a NWN2 marathon today and god I love this game. I wouldn't have been enjoying it so much if I had let everything be automated. But I've chosen to control most of my party's actions in combat, including spell casting completely, and am playing at full difficulty and the game feels a bit like Baldur's Gate 2.

I love it.

[MysterD]

NWN2 is excellent, to say the least...