MotB? Would you Recommend it? (No spoilers please!)

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 8:30 am

I will be getting a new computer quite soon, and it ought to run everything I throw at it very nicely, so to celebrate (I've had my old P3 almost 7 years

), I want to pick up some new games.

Now, going by what I've read, I'm not sure I'd buy NWN2 alone, but it also sounds as though MotB is pretty good.

Objective and Balanced thoughts, critiques, and general impressions much appreciated

p.s
I know there is already a thread asking for opinions on MotB, but that is for people who have completed the game, I'd like this thread to be spoiler-free.
Thanks!

Mz_Trixter · Post by **Mz_Trixter** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:07 am

I'd definitely recommend this game to anyone who hasn't already tried it. Especially if you're getting a new pc, I think it'd give you an upperhand over any of the bugs reported about it. I've had some lag in mainly more crowded parts of the game, but what game wouldn't? Safe to say, I believe that much of the mechanics of it should run fairly easily now the most of the patches for it have been implemented.

As for installing NwN 2 then following up with the expansion, I'm still abit suspicious about how much less of bugs the expansion gets than the original after installing both. Others have disagreed with me on my ideas about this though. But I still think it's worth thinking about. It's only to help reduce the amount of bugs that may come up.

The story in the Original campaign, to me it seemed abit flat, but you'll have to be the judge on that. For the expansion, it's certainly a real brush up although some parts of the story aren't really 'given' to you. But since there's no spoilers allowed, that's pretty much how I'll leave it. I'm staying with my overall view of the OC plus the XP, the story's mildly plain but does get better for sure!

(sorry about the length)

Ulfang · Post by **Ulfang** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:09 am

So do you have NWN2 already? I think you were saying you didn't and were considering getting both? That right? I may have misunderstood.

Anyway If you haven't started NWN2 you don't really need the expansion as it adds to to game after you've reached Lvl 18+ although I have to say I bought it and don't have any characters anywhere near Lvl 18

Of course you can always start the new MotB campaign with a pre-generated 18th lvl character but there's not a lot of point in that.

I got the addon because there are new creatures, items, feats etc and because I considered there would be PW's that you can't access without the addon although I'm not a member of a PW at the moment I wanted to be prepared

kyle · Post by **kyle** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:21 am

Considering the expansion IMO invalidates earlier character builds from NWN2 (with the new feats, new classes, new races to try out), I'd say you're in a great position to buy both at the same time - until the next expansion comes out of course... :S

What I've played of the expansion so far seems like quality stuff, and NWN2 was decent stuff on its own. Did you like NWN1? Everyone I know who liked the first said the 2nd was an improvement in many ways. Doesn't run as smoothly, and a little bit cut-scene heavy, but reminds me of the old party-based D&D adventuring, rather than having an Uber-character and some throw-away henchmen.

Ulfang · Post by **Ulfang** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:27 am

As for being better than NWN1 a lot of people have said they prefer the first from posts i've seen over many forums. Personally I prefer NWN2 which still having fond memories of NWN1. I need to get round to playing online which is where the best content is but I'm so busy with LOTRO as well as The Witcher and other games I never have chance and there are so many permanent worlds that it's difficult to establish which one is best.

Loki[D.d.G] · Post by **Loki[D.d.G]** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:20 pm

If you liked the NWN2 OC, then you will love MotB. Sure, it has a darker feel to it with a notable lack of Grobnar humor. But in all, it kind of completes the story where the OC left off, so it gives you a wholesome (not sure if thats the right word

) feeling to it. It also has more twists and turn than a good novel.

On to the gameplay. They added a few decent spells and fixed lots of bugs. Finished the game once and all triggers have fired like clockwork. That said, an addition to the game which relates to the story makes you feel hurried and also negates the use of spellcasters, especially the ones which have to prepare spells beforehand. Hence the introduction of Favoured Soul and Spirit Shaman which are both spontaneous casters.

There definitely is a replay value, mostly in part due to the events that you will encounter in the final act. Cutscenes are good, and the stories they tell are brilliant at times. Your companions this time around are rather solemn and don't expect a crazy dwarf or a hyperactive tiefling.

For an expansion, MotB does good in my book. :laugh:

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:34 pm

Still important not to have a spellcaster as your PC, isn't it? Because those cutscenes still leave you at the front of your party when the combat starts afterwards.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 10:32 pm

I suppose I should have elaborated more, sorry about that

Anyway, I have not played NWN2 (I've been running an old P3 for the last 7 years, so it was impossible), but as far as MotB being darker, I really don't have a problem with that... I tend to like dark, actually.

I should also say, NWN1 was a *major* disappointment for me.... I played it after BG2 and PS:T, and it really did not even come close to either of those two games, I don't think I even finished it. To be fair, however, from what I understand, the best way to play NWN was to take advantage of its online possibilities, and at the time I just wanted a good, single player campaign.
I did find Hordes of the Underdark to be quite decent though..

I do, by the way, realise that NWN2 had different developers to NWN1... but even so, I view the sequel with a certain hesitation. However, I have read some very good things about MotB (I mean, even Codex liked it!

), so it sounds promising.

Of course, having just purchased The Witcher and LOTRO, I may just end up waiting until NWN2 and MotB get bundled....

Still though, since starting next week, I'll actually have a machine capable of playing new games, I'm very interested in trying out some recently released titles and NWN2/MotB is one of them.

Loki[D.d.G] · Post by **Loki[D.d.G]** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:41 am

Anyway, I have not played NWN2 (I've been running an old P3 for the last 7 years, so it was impossible), but as far as MotB being darker, I really don't have a problem with that... I tend to like dark, actually.

Really sad that you haven't played NWN2. Play that first then MotB and I can guarantee you it will be worth your while. I hope.

I didn't mean that the dark atmosphere was bad, in fact I kind of preferred it to the OC.

I do, by the way, realise that NWN2 had different developers to NWN1... but even so, I view the sequel with a certain hesitation. However, I have read some very good things about MotB (I mean, even Codex liked it! ), so it sounds promising.

Like I said, the story is brilliant. By the way, Obsidian used BioWare's NWN1 game engine for NWN2. And I found that installing MotB cleared up lots of bugs that existed in the OC, so you can expect a smoother game.

Still though, since starting next week, I'll actually have a machine capable of playing new games, I'm very interested in trying out some recently released titles and NWN2/MotB is one of them.

I vaguely remember recommending that you give MotB a go in another thread...

@fable

Still important not to have a spellcaster as your PC, isn't it? Because those cutscenes still leave you at the front of your party when the combat starts afterwards.

That depends. A cleric dead walker is an excellent PC because he can both tank and heal himself at the same time. Not to mention the decent conversation skills.

MINOR SPOILER?

Spoiler

The use of conversation skills on MotB is not as widespread as that in the OC. So you can basically hack and slash your way through the campaign.

:laugh:

Ulfang · Post by **Ulfang** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:19 am

dragon wench wrote:.

I should also say, NWN1 was a *major* disappointment for me.... I played it after BG2 and PS:T, and it really did not even come close to either of those two games, I don't think I even finished it. To be fair, however, from what I understand, the best way to play NWN was to take advantage of its online possibilities, and at the time I just wanted a good, single player campaign.
I did find Hordes of the Underdark to be quite decent though..

The Single Player game wasn't amazing, it wasn't bad but I agree it wasn't the best but was fun enough to play though couldn't be compared to BG but the thing is NWN was developed as a multiplayer experience rather than single player so it never would be able to live upto the likes of BG in the SP game.

The Online part of the game was wonderful though especially if you like RP. The best RP experience in any game and so much content! Dozens of player made game worlds, all with their own rules (some heavy RP, some light, some social, some action based etc) and definately the best game I've seen in relation to Role Playing. So much single player content as well with hundreds of mods to download so the game was well worth the money and had much more content than BG so depends how you look at it

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:22 am

lol, OK guys, it definitely sounds as though I should give NWN2 and MotB a go then

Though, I will probably wait a bit, since RL and the two games I just picked up will keep me busy for the next while, and maybe by then I'll be lucky and find they've bundled NWN2 and MotB into a single box. If I can't get a bundle pack, I'll just pick buy them separately though.

@Ulfang,
in terms of NWN 1, that is just it, I only really tried the single player campaign, and I never truly explored the multi-player aspect or the various player-made worlds. No doubt, that would have made a significant difference to my experience. It was just that at the time multi-player wasn't something I really wanted to do

@Loki,
I do remember your recommendations in another thread, so thanks for that

I would definitely play the original NWN2 campaign first, I don't think it would really make sense not to. Besides, I'm too cheap to buy a game if I'm not going to actually play it...

I am indeed hoping for a reasonably smooth game, as I did read that the system requirements were a bit steep considering the actual quality of the graphics. Happily though, I'll have a pretty good video card, and I have asked the people building my computer to max the RAM to 3.5 GB, the most XP will hold.

So... I'm really hoping that will ensure relatively few problems.

Loki[D.d.G] · Post by **Loki[D.d.G]** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:39 pm

So... I'm really hoping that will ensure relatively few problems.

From what I've seen from the forum here, the amount of bugs you face is really due much to sheer luck. Some people just get stuck even though they have fully upgraded the game whilst others manage to complete it seamlessly with minimal upgrades.

TriStaN · Post by **TriStaN** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:47 pm

JUST DO IT!

I didn't like NWN1 either, but MotB is on a totally different level, it's almost as good as BG2, Plancescape: Torment.

Go get it!

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:56 pm

TriStaN wrote:JUST DO IT!

I didn't like NWN1 either, but MotB is on a totally different level, it's almost as good as BG2, Plancescape: Torment.

Go get it!

Almost as good as BG2 and PS:T? Now that's a pretty high recommendation!
Both of those games set the bar pretty high...

Well, I have pretty much decided to pick up NWN 2 and MotB, at this point it's just a question of stopping by Electronics Boutique the next time I'm in town.
This is going to be weird... all of a sudden I'll have no less than 3 (or 4 if I count NWN 2 separately) new games to try

Loki[D.d.G] · Post by **Loki[D.d.G]** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:59 pm

Almost as good as BG2 and PS:T? Now that's a pretty high recommendation!
Both of those games set the bar pretty high...

Truth be told, I really depends on the gamer's preferences. We can only recommend and suggest, but you will eventually have to come up with your own conclusion.

Hope it is the same as mine: Brilliant story!

TriStaN · Post by **TriStaN** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:59 pm

I know, those 2 games are my personal favourites and have yet to be surpassed.

But I think, you won't regret buying NWN2 and MotB

Just make sure, that you have some time the next 2-3 weeks

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:04 pm

TriStaN wrote:I know, those 2 games are my personal favourites and have yet to be surpassed.

What is it specifically about NWN2 and MotB that makes them, in your opinion, the equal of BG2 and PS:T?

TriStaN · Post by **TriStaN** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:24 pm

Well, first, the way an epic story is told.
It starts somehow mysterious and strange, then develops and grows bigger and bigger. Compare the beginning of NWN2 with the end of MotB and you realize, that a truly epic journey lies behind you. It's not the small "father is slain, revenge him"-story or "evil orcs are attacking the country,defeat them"-story, it 's the "you start and know nothing, and the more you know, the less you know and in the end you are in the middle of a story that will change the earth forever"-story. So far, BG:2 and Plancescape:Torment were the only games that had a similar effect on me, BG:2 with its theme surrounding gods and destiny and Planescape: Torment with its surrounding immortality, guilt, believe, the planes and the ever-aching pain of the unevadeable destiny.
That sort of telling a story, of creating a story is something that is very important and something NWN2 and MotB are able to provide.
Second, the way you are involved into the game.
You have companions. You care for them. You journey the world. You change the world. You grow, wou travel away from home and you return. You don't feel like you'd be playing some guy in a game, you ARE the guy in them game. You want to know the secrets, that lie beneath the surface (in them game), you want to find out, to search, to develop. You want to become stronger, to get rid of something. You don't play for 30minute to an hour, you play as long as you can, because you get sucked into the game. And after you're through with it, you feel that certain sweet regret, that it is over now.
Third: power. !!!!SPOILER!!!!

Spoiler

It is like that, evolving from the boy on the fields in some village into the plane wandering, god-slaying and fate-changing person is so epic and so wonderful, it's totally different from evolving your character in any other games (besides the two named in your post).

Fourth: Style.
Hard to explain, but I think, you know what I mean. Playing BG:2 and Planescape: Torment is like playing some piece of art. It's an experience. Everything to gether is some sort of...hm...adventure. In NWN2/MotB it's the same. You'll know, when you're through with NWN2.

Loki[D.d.G] · Post by **Loki[D.d.G]** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:35 pm

Well, first, the way an epic story is told.
It starts somehow mysterious and strange, then develops and grows bigger and bigger. Compare the beginning of NWN2 with the end of MotB and you realize, that a truly epic journey lies behind you. It's not the small "father is slain, revenge him"-story or "evil orcs are attacking the country,defeat them"-story, it 's the "you start and know nothing, and the more you know, the less you know and in the end you are in the middle of a story that will change the earth forever"-story. So far, BG:2 and Plancescape:Torment were the only games that had a similar effect on me, BG:2 with its theme surrounding gods and destiny and Planescape: Torment with its surrounding immortality, guilt, believe, the planes and the ever-aching pain of the unevadeable destiny.
That sort of telling a story, of creating a story is something that is very important and something NWN2 and MotB are able to provide.

You have got a point there. I too believe that MotB and the OC have told a story that is almost unsurpassable by any other game in its genre.

Mz_Trixter · Post by **Mz_Trixter** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:01 pm

The challenge now is to some how add-on to it & continue to keep the concept of the story together. It's already a given that new content would have to be incorporated to add to it. It's just a matter of how relevant and creative it is to what's already taken place from the past two games.