Dungeons and Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition from Aspyr Media brings us the definitive version of an all-time classic. Learn more in our Dungeons and Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition review!
Dungeons and Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition from Aspyr Media brings us the definitive version of an all-time classic. The Obsidian Entertainment developed and Atari published experience was originally released back in 2006 on PC, making this the first time that we get to enjoy it on a console. This third-person RPG was definitely a highlight of the genre in the early 2000s, and it’s now made the jump to PlayStation 5 as the best way to take on Neverwinter Nights 2. You’ll begin with a good character creation experience where you can go as deep as you want or just go with the pre-created character to speed things up. With sixteen races and a dozen character classes, you can definitely find the right combination to suit your playing style. For this Forgotten Realms campaign, you’ll get a chance to explore Faerûn as you complete a variety of quests that will transport you to the Dungeons and Dragons universe.
This release has Enhanced Edition right there in its name, which means there’s some extra bells and whistles in there, right? We’re getting enhanced graphics and improved lighting, as well as better optimization for how the game is presented, with a solid framerate, which is certainly appreciated. Along with the base game, we’re also getting all of the expansions for Neverwinter Nights 2. That means you’ll be playing through Mask of the Betrayer, Storm of Zehir, and Mysteries of Westgate, which considerably expand how much content you’ll be able to dive into.
You can play through the game and its DLC expansions in one of four difficulty modes: Easy, Normal, D&D Harcore Rules, and Very Difficult. The Easy difficulty setting will be the less challenging one of the bunch. There will be no PvP in single-player, no critical hits on PCs, and no attack opportunity on players using ranged weapons or potions. PC does a minimum of 50% damage, and NPC does a maximum of 50% damage. Sleep effects will last for a short duration, as will be the case for the effects of hold, paralyze, and stun. Domination and charm effects on players cause haze. Oh, and fear effects on players will give them a -4 penalty to hit.
If you go with the Normal difficulty setting, then you will take on a challenging but fair experience, balanced to offer something similar to the aforementioned settings for Easy but bumped up a bit for damage dealt by PC and NPC and with confusion effects on players functioning normally. Playing with the D&D Hardcore Rules is an experience that, as the name suggests, will not be as lenient as what Easy and Normal have to offer. There will be attacks of opportunity on players using ranged weapons or potions, and effects on players for sleep, hold, paralyze, and stun will function normally. PCs can get critical hits, which could be dangerous during some of the more packed scenarios. As for the Very Difficult option, NPCs will deal 200% damage. That might not seem like much at first, but trust me, it makes a big difference when you’re in battle!
Even if you’re not new to the game, you might want to check out the tutorial to get the hang of things. You know, since you’ll be using a controller to play. With this one being a 3D RPG, you’ll control your character with the left analog stick. You can also switch to Strategy mode by pressing in on the left analog stick. This will allow you to control a cursor on the screen so that you can press the X button to guide your character to a particular spot. Use the right analog stick to control the camera movement. You can use the D-Pad to zoom the camera in and out as needed. Interact with items and other characters by pressing the X button. You can switch targets by pressing the L1 and R1 buttons. Use the hotbar with the Triangle button so that you can activate your attacks and abilities.
The player menu can be opened by pressing the L2 button, while the R2 button is used for the party menu. From the player menu, you can access your character sheet, the spellbook, your quest journal, the area map, and even get some rest. Your character sheet will allow you to get a closer look at your main equipment and items, check main hand and offhand weapons, as well as any attack bonuses and damage modifiers that are currently applied. You can also review your many abilities so that you can have a better idea of what it is that you’re truly capable of. There’s also a feats list that will be tied to your character’s background. Visit the spellbook to memorize spells and assign them to the hotbar.
The game features a full trophy list with a Platinum trophy. The list is split into 30 Bronze trophies, 11 Silver trophies, and 3 Gold trophies for you to work on. What are some of the things you’ll need to do to add that shiny Platinum trophy to your collection? You’ll need to reach level 20 for any character, choose a Prestige Class, win all events at the West Harbor Event, reach level 30, complete the Mask of the Betrayer DLC, complete the Storm of Zehir DLC, complete the Mysteries of Westgate DLC, get all the merchant company and caravan upgrades at Crossroad Keep, take a rest in the final dungeon, complete the main game, fully upgrade your keep, complete a variety of quests, and beat the main campaign and the expansions on the D&D Hardcore Rules difficulty setting or higher, to name some examples.
Dungeons and Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition brings us the definitive version of an all-time classic. The Obsidian Entertainment developed, and Atari published, experience was originally released back in 2006 on PC, making this the first time that we get to enjoy it on a console. This third-person RPG was definitely a highlight of the genre in the early 2000s, and it’s now made the jump to PlayStation 5 as the best way to take on Neverwinter Nights 2. You’ll begin with a good character creation experience where you can go as deep as you want or just go with the pre-created character to speed things up. With sixteen races and a dozen character classes, you can definitely find the right combination to suit your playing style. For this Forgotten Realms campaign, you’ll get a chance to explore Faerûn as you complete a variety of quests that will transport you to the Dungeons and Dragons universe.
Sure, the game is almost 20 years old, and even with the new coat of paint and extra bells and whistles, it still shows its age here and there, but this is as good as the game is going to get… not to mention it’s the only way you can play it on console! A short adventure this is not since you’ll be spending well over 100 hours playing through the main quest and all the included extra campaigns. You get access to Mask of the Betrayer, Storm of Zehir, and Mysteries of Westgate, which considerably expand how much content you’ll be able to dive into, all available at a great price point. Dungeons and Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition is out today on PlayStation 5 for $29.99.
Disclaimer
This Dungeons and Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Aspyr Media.
