Lets' dispose of the bad right away. NeverWinter Nights 2 is somewhat buggy. It’s been heavily patched, but you'll run into a few glitches and, occasionally, you'll have to reload a save since a character has not spawned; some mechanics feel a bit dated and the camera takes some time getting used to. The main campaign is filled with fantasy clichés. I believe it was intentional, but it lacks a sense of wonder and surprise. Now for the good part. Story and plot unfold progressively: you don’t go from nobody to world savior in one hour. Your progression in power and status is incremental and flows naturally. As threats evolve, as you realize what is happening and how you fit in a much larger story, the scale of the game grows, as well as a sense of danger. The characters you meet are memorable, as they all have depth. Can a tiefling thief find her place in a society that despises her? Can a dwarf balance his commitment to his clan and his vocation as a monk? Do the responsibilities of a druid stop when her masters go insane? Can a fiery, power-hungry wizard be reasoned with? Can a sociopathic ranger play well enough with others? The choices you make do not only define your favorite party members; they have consequences on whether someone is willing to go through hell for you or will betray you at the worst possible time. Demean a friend one too many time, and he might turn against you in the end. While combat is present throughout the game, situations are quite varied, as you explore strange places, rebuild a castle, prove your innocence in court, or act as a go-between between demons locked in a game of power and wits. Every good thing I wrote applies to MotB, which also improves on stability and performance, and takes the story in a darker, fascinating place, where gods battle each other and one’s morality is brutally tested. It really is a gem of an extension. NWN2 is a game I re-install regularly, and always play with renewed enthusiasm. Don’t miss out on it.
