Neverwinter Nights

 PC
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 689 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 520 out of 689
  2. Mixed: 129 out of 689
  3. Negative: 40 out of 689
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  1. Keron_Heruman
    Aug 23, 2023
    9
    An step behind the BG saga. The game has good mechanics with innovative 3D graphics for a cRPG, an update to D&D 3 and a solid history, but the absence of group management, with only one companion and no direct control, is a scourge that affect all game.
    The scenery editor and community support is an important plus for the game.
  2. EVIL_UJIN
    Oct 15, 2022
    9
    учшая RPG. Классика жанра. Это как первая любовь. Собственно, мое знакомство с ролевыми играми началось именно с Neverwinter nights. Помню, не был знаком с DND, гайдов не было, да и стима тоже). Создал рейнджера в тяжелой броне с перекачанной мудростью, в надежде что у него появятся новые заклинания ))). Очень тупил, но все равно было ужасно интересно. Вселенная Forgotten Realms оченьучшая RPG. Классика жанра. Это как первая любовь. Собственно, мое знакомство с ролевыми играми началось именно с Neverwinter nights. Помню, не был знаком с DND, гайдов не было, да и стима тоже). Создал рейнджера в тяжелой броне с перекачанной мудростью, в надежде что у него появятся новые заклинания ))). Очень тупил, но все равно было ужасно интересно. Вселенная Forgotten Realms очень разнообразна и очень интересна для исследования. Ты понимаешь, что в игре ты видишь лишь небольшую часть этой вселенной. Сейчас прохожу Neverwiner Nights уже 4-й вроде раз. Мое мнение : любой поклонник ролевых игр должен ее пройти. Дополнения Hordes of Underdark и Shadows of Undrentide заслуживают внимания не меньше, чем основная компания.… Expand
  3. Amorph0us
    Jan 7, 2022
    10
    One of the best RPGs ever. A must for every fan of D&D including even the most demanding...
  4. B00tador
    Dec 5, 2021
    9
    I couldn't play this game now, but back in 2002 it consumed me and for that, it get its rating as a way of thanks.
  5. krongos
    Sep 28, 2021
    10
    My whole journey with CRPGs started with this game. Even now I sometimes play it.
  6. ElleryHQ
    Dec 20, 2020
    10
    Мне кажется я перепрошёл игру за все возможные классы. С ностальгией и любовью вспоминаю то время.
  7. Kai82
    Dec 13, 2020
    8
    It is not a third Baldurs Gate game even when there were later abandoned plans to import your character from there. Instead of a full party of adventures you play as single character with one companion (and of cause a familiar or animal companion if your class has one). The game uses the third edition rules of Dungeons & Dragons with some adaptations. It is set in the Forgotten Realms onIt is not a third Baldurs Gate game even when there were later abandoned plans to import your character from there. Instead of a full party of adventures you play as single character with one companion (and of cause a familiar or animal companion if your class has one). The game uses the third edition rules of Dungeons & Dragons with some adaptations. It is set in the Forgotten Realms on the continent Faerun. The story starts in Neverwinter where an unseen before plague called the Walling Death is devastating the city. Your player character is a recruited adventurer to help find a cure. As the story progresses the Walling Death is just the beginning as a very old and forgotten menace could shaken the foundations of the world while other factions will use this for their own agendas and goals. The story is solid with good moments and twist. To be fair even while I enjoyed it some twist are a bit foreseeable. The characters are enjoyable and well written. Be it your recruitable companions (Multiple are available but only one at any given time can be in your party), Lady Aribeth, Aarin Gend or the antagonists. It created an interesting setting, lore and a world where I was invested in. Gameplay is solid. You chose your character, gender, race and class at the start. You do not roll dice but have a pool to use. Extreme Min / Maxing has some disadvantages here. You can multiclass but be aware of penalties. Plan a bit ahead. There are of cause sub quests, side activities and hidden / unique items. I think I give some tips. Later on you can created special weapons / items. Some ingredients are not found in that chapter (or I missed them). Store some of the seemingly worthless items in your inventory as you will need them (Or read a guide). There will be dragons (plural). Your companions have unique quest that advance (chapter based and level up needed to continue if I remember correctly). Chose the responding class as helper as the item you get improves and is really helpful in boosting your stats. Explore the world as there are many good items (Should be a no brainer). Back to the review. The graphic was amazing for its time and many praised it. However I was shocked returning to this game after a few years. It did not age well while also not being truly awful. Soundtrack holds up for me. A main appeal was the Aurora tool-set. You can use it to create your own content. I did not use it but there was a lot of good user created content. For others this made it a 10/10 game and I will not disagree with their opinion. For me it was not important. Overall this was a good D&D game but not as good as Baldurs Gate 2, Icewind Dale 2 and others. I enjoyed it but it just missed to be a masterpiece for me while having fond memories of it.… Expand
  8. GVB
    Oct 30, 2020
    10
    Shorter and smaller than Baldur's Gate II but with an incredibly focused story, and great characters. Play it, and enjoy this gem.
  9. Dark_Ansem
    Apr 9, 2020
    9
    This review is based on my experience when I first played the game, more than a decade ago, and no experience of D&D at all. Magic system is absurd, but I liked it so much.
  10. LoLerScholar
    Dec 16, 2019
    10
    Maybe it's nostalgia, but Neverwinter Nights is the most fun I've ever had playing a PC RPG. I actually played this game around 2002-2003 when it released. I was in high school at the time but NWN was the first PC RPG that really blew me away. Before this game I had tried games like Baldur's Gate 2, which put me onto Bioware. I've read reviews recently and the single player campaignMaybe it's nostalgia, but Neverwinter Nights is the most fun I've ever had playing a PC RPG. I actually played this game around 2002-2003 when it released. I was in high school at the time but NWN was the first PC RPG that really blew me away. Before this game I had tried games like Baldur's Gate 2, which put me onto Bioware. I've read reviews recently and the single player campaign gets trashed mercilessly, however my review is based on the single player campaign only (I'm not into multiplayer or being a DM).

    I thought this game was fantastic in terms of story and characters. Honestly, I don't remember the story 100% but I remember it was very compelling. I still remember aspects of characters such as Aribeth, Fenthick, and Aaron Gend to this day. Aribeth in particular is involved in one of the most memorable plot twists in a PC RPG, IMO.

    I think one of the biggest factors that makes NWN a legendary game is the atmosphere. I'm refering to things like the the lighting in the cell that you start the game in, the purple-ish hue of the city of Neverwinter when you're exploring, and the foginess of the docks. Adding to this is the fantastic music by Jeremy Soule. The score and sound effects are my favorite in a PC RPG. NWN absolutely nailed its atmosphere.

    The game was also a joy to play from a controls and technical standpoint. First off, I think NWN has one of the best user interfaces of any PC RPG I've played. It's relatively simple and the hot keys worked great. I loved how you can rotate the camera angle in this game and I don't understand why you can't rotate the camera angle in all games. I loved the implementation of the D+D 3rd edition rules in this game, with access to 'feats' such as weapon finesse that you didn't have in Baldur's Gate 2. It made my dexterity based, short sword dual-wielding ranger so much more fun to play than in BG2.

    I also didn't mind that this game is basically a single-player game. Party based games are great but I didn't mind only having 1 character and henchman. In fact, it actually makes the game more enjoyable to some degree without having to micromanage 6 characters.

    Too bad I don't fully remember all of the aspects that made this game my favorite PC RPG, but I definitely wanted to contribute a review that points out a few things from the game that might be helpful to newcomers in 2019 who are thinking about trying it. Cheers.    … Expand
  11. FrostormNidhegg
    Oct 27, 2019
    10
    Одна из лучших РПГ всех времен, возможно лучшая. Играть всем обязательно. В ней хорошо все. Только графика по нынешним временам, конечно, будет смотреться убого, но сама игра все так же великолепна
  12. jseph1234
    Aug 7, 2019
    9
    One of the great games created by Bioware (Pre-2013) when the Doctors were in charge of the Studio. This is an example of the fantastic work they did in bringing Dungeon & Dragons Forgotten realms to the PC.
  13. Mizuiro
    Apr 25, 2019
    10
    Just a MASTERPIECE. Best online RPG game ever made, so powerful toolset and so big community it has (still has a few hundred players 17 years later).

    But his sequel, NWN2 was a big disappointment.
  14. brozermanik
    Feb 22, 2019
    10
    Good times when BioWare wasn't making sh*t for EA.

    Gameplay: 10/10
    Story: 8/10
    Audio: 10/10
    Visual: as for 2002 I would say 9/10
  15. Ydun79
    Feb 11, 2019
    10
    I don't even remember the single player, but I played countless hours on multiplayer servers, either stories or persistent custom worlds. So good!
  16. Zareli
    Nov 28, 2018
    10
    The best D&D game I played until Divinity Original Sin 2. NWN was such a good game I had a hard time playing RPGs after 2007 because I was "spoiled" by it's story, charm, gameplay and character development, dropping many newer fantasy RPGs just after a few hours. It took like a full decade to surpass this masterpiece and to this day I recommend it to anyone that likes RPGs and hasn't tried it yet.
  17. iddqd4
    Jan 27, 2018
    8
    このテキストは私のプロフィールにスコアが表示されるようにここにあります。
  18. Lilura
    Oct 15, 2017
    10
    The magic of the Neverwinter Nights role-playing game is its Aurora toolset that strikes the perfect balance between flexibility, power and Ease-of-Use. World-builders, writers, coders and artists alike have long since hit the jackpot with Aurora. It's why we players have access to some of the finest role-playing campaigns out there. Masterpieces like those found in the Hall of Fame, forThe magic of the Neverwinter Nights role-playing game is its Aurora toolset that strikes the perfect balance between flexibility, power and Ease-of-Use. World-builders, writers, coders and artists alike have long since hit the jackpot with Aurora. It's why we players have access to some of the finest role-playing campaigns out there. Masterpieces like those found in the Hall of Fame, for example, many of which can contend with commercial RPG offerings in terms of depth, breadth and polish.… Expand
  19. GenericBob
    Dec 18, 2016
    9
    Graphics are dated but the game holds up. It can be buggy at times but rarely gamebreakingly so be sure to quick save often and this is never an issue. i have been wanting to get back into D&D for awhile, this was a good temporary fix until i can get some friends together.
  20. Admelein
    Jun 4, 2015
    10
    Ah.. Neverwinter Nights.. I love this game i have since I first played it in 2005. It was the first game I tried Multiplayer with at that time and it was amazing I had a blast then. I never tried the new Communuty made multiplayer but oh well. I'm sure its fine. I loved the Single Player in this game, the main story was great, while the secondary quests still had importance, it helps a lotAh.. Neverwinter Nights.. I love this game i have since I first played it in 2005. It was the first game I tried Multiplayer with at that time and it was amazing I had a blast then. I never tried the new Communuty made multiplayer but oh well. I'm sure its fine. I loved the Single Player in this game, the main story was great, while the secondary quests still had importance, it helps a lot in this game to do as many secondary objectives as possible, it doesnt hurt too bad as not doing them in a game like Dragon Age because it has a huge skill cap compared to this. But it still helps out in the long run.

    Yes I do understand this game starts out slow, but it gets more enjoyable to play the more you are leveled.

    My favourite build style is Dex heavy Rouge/(low)Fighter/Weapon Master, i know it sounds like an odd combination but when you get to the 20+ levels and you built it right, you are nearly unstoppable unless you fdace something thats immune to Criticals or Sneak attacks. I like using Rapier for the special with thr halfling race. I start out with fighter till about level 3-4 which ever gives a feat, then I pump like 5-7 levels into Rogue untill i get the Weapon Master class unlocked (You need to focus a lot of talents into this early) and I prefer to start into that till 7 then just level rogue. Once you unlock Weapon Master the feat choices dont matter too much. This build starts out horribly slow but it gets good when you get closer to level 10 which is a long time i know.

    Also to the people who say the graphics are "Laughable" @ Zoso this is a 2002 game. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT? GTA 5 or Witcher 3 graphics in those days? Now thats laughable.

    One of my favourite parts of this is the toolset, its a lot of fun making your own stories and inventing new weapons/armours. Sneaky tip, load a plain toolset and create a mildy to amazingly powerful piece of armour or weapon and place it on the ground, and maybe a bunch of gold, and then enter that with a new character you hope to level in the campaign and use the item(s) and then save the character then go into the campaign. It makes it a lot easier if your messing around with new things. I don't consider it a cheat as you can't do that with online games, unless the host allows that I believe. And your using it for your own benifit in the single olayer campaign.    … Expand
  21. Chewbubba
    Mar 11, 2015
    10
    Outstanding game.

    For me this is the game that made my fall in love with rpgs. I have played the single player a dozen times and playing it in 2015 it still feels good. The wealth of classes is the strong point giving the game a lot of replayability. Masterpiece.
  22. jimbobslimbob
    Dec 10, 2014
    10
    This toolset wrapped around a game is possibly one of the best, most enduring games ever made. While the subsequent expansions improved on the game immeasurably, it remains a classic. One that I still play to this day. The wealth of quality user created content for it is breathtaking. It is a RPG that we need more of.

    Jimbo Rating: 10/10
  23. Vamrem
    Dec 9, 2014
    10
    After the Masterpiece Baldur's Gate most players were shocked by the empty single player campaign but then it showed his true purpose: being a unique game! This is the only RPG in history that can be played online in Persistent Worlds; each world can be made with the powerful Aurora Toolset by simple users and hosting in their own PC; players creates accounts in the servers where they willAfter the Masterpiece Baldur's Gate most players were shocked by the empty single player campaign but then it showed his true purpose: being a unique game! This is the only RPG in history that can be played online in Persistent Worlds; each world can be made with the powerful Aurora Toolset by simple users and hosting in their own PC; players creates accounts in the servers where they will store their Characters so they can return at any time to continue their progress, all of this with the possibility that real Dungeon Masters guide your adventures behind scenes. In other words: the closest that a computer could be to a pen & paper RPG.… Expand
  24. Dozmo
    Oct 14, 2014
    10
    One of the best games ever made. Incredible options for character customization - beyond anything most players have likely seen before in a game. Genuinely interesting NPCs and quests. Online multiplayer. In short, it has everything. The graphics are quite dated, sure, but in terms of gameplay, it is arguably the best RPG ever made.
  25. NMan7496
    Sep 23, 2014
    10
    This is one of the best applications of the D&D 3.5e ruleset in video games. I have been playing this game since 2004, and I'm still not done with it. It is such a great game that I ended up getting a Win7 and up optimized version from GOG (since I had the original release copy and couldn't get it to work on Win7), it doesn't have the diversity of feats and spells that it's successorThis is one of the best applications of the D&D 3.5e ruleset in video games. I have been playing this game since 2004, and I'm still not done with it. It is such a great game that I ended up getting a Win7 and up optimized version from GOG (since I had the original release copy and couldn't get it to work on Win7), it doesn't have the diversity of feats and spells that it's successor does, and the fact that it's only semi-turn-based (it's turn-based, but the turn get run so quickly that counterspelling, something that I do a lot in table top D&D, almost impossible. But as I said it is one of the best applications of the 3.5e rules out there, so for those of you who are avid players of 3.5e D&D, you would love this game, hell anyone who likes a good RPG would love this game.
    Now the campaign itself gets boring after a while (sure I have played it over 20 times), but with the addition of premium modules you can and your own modules you can make, it keeps single player fun. The multiplayer features, in my opinion are unparalleled across the Strategic RPG Genre. The diversity of the various servers (almost all of which are player made), and the amount of dedication by the owners to keep playing on the server fun is amazing. In conclusion, one of the best games I have ever played, an amazing adaptation of the 3.5e rules, and it keeps pulling you back to it.    … Expand
  26. DeusXCom
    Aug 3, 2014
    8
    This was an unpleasant shock for most fans when they had to go from the ultimate masterpiece that was Baldur's Gate with it's beautiful hand-drawn isometric visuals to this ugly 3D mess, the beginning is also very slow, the story doesn't seem all that special, instead of full party you got only 1 character plus some stupid henchmen you can hire, but can't even customize and on top of thatThis was an unpleasant shock for most fans when they had to go from the ultimate masterpiece that was Baldur's Gate with it's beautiful hand-drawn isometric visuals to this ugly 3D mess, the beginning is also very slow, the story doesn't seem all that special, instead of full party you got only 1 character plus some stupid henchmen you can hire, but can't even customize and on top of that you're constantly going through hundreds of chests that doesn't even seem to contain anything interesting. Fortunately as you go forth, it's getting better and better. You're getting used to the engine and starting to realize that this is a huge game, where each chapter would be enough to fill the entire content of some other games. Second chapter being much much higher quality, leaving the city and finally experiencing adventures in nature you were used to from Baldur's. Some of the quests are starting to get really good and in the end the result is actually very positive. Also, definitely worth mentioning is the music by always amazing Jeremy Soule that created a huge part of of the atmosphere in this game. Seen in retrospect, Neverwinter Nights is a great RPG, that took me about 100 hours to finish, not as good as Baldur's Gate series, but what is. 8/10… Expand
  27. verglia
    Apr 1, 2014
    10
    I just loved every minut of Neverwinter nights.It's great game and a true succesor to baldur's gate.I loved all exp too.Who like this genre should give it a try.
  28. Aeryx
    Oct 13, 2013
    9
    One of Bioware's finest hours. This game made me feel so bad for my actions and characters, I couldn't stop thinking about it on school and on my way home: How I could I have saved her... but she deserved it... there was no other way... please...I am sorry... I will set things right... I'll do anything!

    Here in the Philippines, saving enough money to buy an original game back in 2003    One of Bioware's finest hours. This game made me feel so bad for my actions and characters, I couldn't stop thinking about it on school and on my way home: How I could I have saved her... but she deserved it... there was no other way... please...I am sorry... I will set things right... I'll do anything!

    Here in the Philippines, saving enough money to buy an original game back in 2003 was hard as hell. I am proud I went through all that getting hungry part at school to buy this. Bioware, give me back the good old days!    … Expand
  29. tyler_james
    Dec 2, 2012
    10
    I deliberately looked this game up after years of playing. Literally, I have been playing this game ever since it was released in 2002. I spent two hours configuring my 64-bit Windows 7 so that it could run this game. Neverwinter Nights is one of the very few games I've played in the past 15 years of gaming that genuinely deserves a 10/10. This game does everything right, but mostI deliberately looked this game up after years of playing. Literally, I have been playing this game ever since it was released in 2002. I spent two hours configuring my 64-bit Windows 7 so that it could run this game. Neverwinter Nights is one of the very few games I've played in the past 15 years of gaming that genuinely deserves a 10/10. This game does everything right, but most importantly, the story, the story, the story. The massive amount of pure freedom when it comes to character creation is something that doesn't come very often. I know that this game is massively outdated, but I would still highly recommend finding a copy somewhere, somehow, and letting the magic take you for a ride. Don't spend 60$ for the new crap coming out of Bioware these days, spend nothing and buy Neverwinter Nights.… Expand
  30. Ghost_Scope
    Jul 22, 2012
    10
    NWN is one of my all time favourite games... the single player was fantastic the multiplayer on the 3-4 persistant worlds i played on was fantastic although heavy after market scripting was needed to make them work so great, NWN2 was heavily buggy and very disapointing.......... NWN1 is the paramount PC dungeons and dragons game
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best PC Game of 2002
5
#5 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002
9
#9 Most Shared PC Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Total Video Games
    90
    If you’re going to play on your own there is enough to keep you playing for days, take it online and you have a masterpiece that could last you a lifetime.
    Read full review
  2. Yahoo!
    100
    It's hard to fathom, but what it really boils down to is the fact that gamers may never really have grasped just how faithful an adaptation of the D&D ruleset we are looking at. It is totally accurate in every, single detail.
    Read full review
  3. PC Gameworld
    98
    Where Neverwinter Nights really earns the points is in its longevity.
    Read full review
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