SoZ vs OC (try to avoid spoiler information of surprises)

[Claudius]

How does SoZ compare in terms of satisfaction? Better than the OC? Totally different experience or just new exciting things? Any problems created by the new system?

You may comment comparisons to MoTB in my thread also but I have not played that so try to avoid spoilers of plot.

[GoldDragon]

Rather different, as SoZ focuses more on economics & adventuring, rather than "go out and kill the bad guy or the world comes to a rather abrupt end".

It's interesting, but I've not gotten very far in it.

[Scottg]

The plot to SOZ seems fairly straight-forward (..don't know if it actually *is* or not though). The OC and MOTB were far less so IMO - going for more "drama".

What I don't like so far is the near absence of city-scape and/or places of special interest. NOT the quantity - there is plenty of that, but rather the *depth*. Its almost like they want you to focus exclusively on the new overland map system - which *is* very good, but I would have liked to have seen both. (..no doubt the budget was prioritized on interface and game-balance improvements.)

IMO it's worth every penny, but again for the game (improvements) itself and not for the module. The module? Heh.. probably worth about 10 US. (..and I'd say that on the basis of *module alone* - MOTB was probably worth about 10 US as well, the OC - about 25 US.) Note however that this estimation of SOZ is without having completed it.

[XantharTheFlame]

I disagree. MoTB was worth as much as the OC IMHO because the story was just as in depth and it had huge replayability. So far the story in SoZ is very limited, but I do like the overland map.

I'm mixed about the new party system. While I like the fact I can create a whole party and basically play 4 different characters at once, I really miss the banter between party members during conversations as well as all the NPC character history / backstory and side quests.

I guess that's what happens when you don't get Bioware behind the majority of the story development.

XantharTheFlame

[Scottg]

I'm mixed about the new party system. While I like the fact I can create a whole party and basically play 4 different characters at once, I really miss the banter between party members during conversations as well as all the NPC character history / backstory and side quests.

I guess that's what happens when you don't get Bioware behind the majority of the story development.

XantharTheFlame

Apparently that isn't the case - there are "supposedly" ***12*** in-game characters capable of joining your party. (..though of course you can never exceed more than 6 and that's with your leader and the leadership feat.)

A few have even expressed that there is banter between them, AND that they have there own unique personalities and histories.

[GoldDragon]

11 confirmed.

Forays thru the Editor have shown a Gnoll companion, however, but this one was apparently cut from the game.

[Mz_Trixter]

Replaying over 'n over with the overland map hasn't bothered me really as patience goes. Although, that only goes so far. Say when you're under the highest level monsters in the area that's when the challenges kick in. But if spawns keep running in fear it starts dying off. There's also lots of side quests laying around - that for some reason I've been finding more I missed after each redo Character customization and companion personalities are fine by me. I've yet to get more into the trades though

But what I miss from the OC are the little sqabbles 'n duels between factions within the cities. Like when you faced the thieves & wizards in town (OC). Taking those out did some dmg to the gameplay IMO

And finding that cities are cut dry some ways since the OC is abit of a down'er - probably cuz every tavern you step into looks just like the one you stepped out of 3 minutes ago and with few npcs to talk to - I guess more overlay map features makes up for it.

I'm still upset about the camera modes though.