Neverwinter (video game)

Gameplay

Players can become one of eight Dungeons & Dragons character classes and form groups of up to five player characters (PCs). Neverwinter is based on a modified version of Dungeons and Dragons 4th edition rules set. This includes the use of healing powers and action points , the latter being implemented through a system referred to as dailies , allowing a player to perform a special ability by accumulating enough action points through combat. A player-created content system codenamed “Foundry” allows players to create their own stories and quests. ^[8]

It’s not an MMO in the sense that there are not areas with hundreds-of-hundreds of people. You are not fighting for spawns . There’s a very strong storyline throughout the game. So it’s more of a Dragon Age or Oblivion , which we really try to follow.

-  Jack Emmert , ^[9]

On October 5, 2011, it was announced that the gameplay of Neverwinter would be re-structured into a free-to-play MMORPG with unannounced fee. ^[6] [10]

Plot

Characters and setting

The setting of Neverwinter takes place in a time when the eponymous city is plunged into chaos after the disappearance of the last Lord of Neverwinter . In the aftermath of the Spellplague and a Primordial Fire Elemental’s Neverwintering Neverwinter, as seen in the novel Gauntlgrym , the remaining citizens form factions and struggle for dominance over the populace to the dead. ” ^[11] The player is investigating the Sect Crown of Neverwinter and trying to figure out what the skeletons and another mysterious group are looking for. The locations are included based on the novels Gauntlgrym , Neverwinter , andCharon’s Claw . Players are also able to set up a new location that can not be complied with on the basis of the game. This content is clearly identifiable as if it is a user of a computer or a computer device. ^[10]

Story

Briefly assuming her pre-lich appearance, the Lich Queen Valindra attacks the soldiers of New Neverwinter, which is being repaired. Valindra ‘s actions spark the Battle of the Bridge, in which Barrabus the Gray (formerly known as Artemis Entreri ) and Drizzt Do’Urden are rumored to be present by gossipers at the shattered town of Luskan. Each soldier tells his own story that Fulminorax is a leader in the country of Thay , helped her escape. The soldier finishes by asking the people where they will be and what they will be doing when the dragon attacks again. ^[12]

After their ship was sunk by a Dracolich, adventurers help a nearby militia of Neverwinter against Valindra. While not confronting her directly on the Sleeping Dragon Bridge, the heroes fight a Harbinger, a huge humanoid undead, then go to Protector’s Enclave to tell Sergeant about what happened. For their valor, the adventurers become the Heroes of the Sleeping Bridge. Learning that the Nashers took advantage of Valindra’s attack, the heroes track them to the Blacklake District. There they fight of Ghaunadaur and Nasher leader Karzov. With the Nasher Rebellion ended, the Heroes head to the Cloak Tower and defeat Vansi Bloodscar, an order from the Kingdom of Many-Arrows.

Sent to help Dorothea Linkletter, the spellscarred wife of Josef Linkletter, the Heroes learn the wizard Rhazzad had sacrificed all the spellscarred victims he hid from Helm’s Hold. Learning Rhazzad’s masters to be in the Chasm, the heroes defeat the wizard when he turns into a plaguechanged monstrosity. Forced to delay going after Rhazzad’s masters, the Heroes are put in touch with Harpers to fight against Malus and Traven Blackdagger. The Kallos Tam, the Heroes defeat the pirates and Valindra’s agent. Learning the Red Wizard of Thay Xivros plans to raise Arleos the Unforgiven, the Heroes are unable to stop the resurrection but do not stop the monster when it rises. The heroes also learns from Neverdeath Graveyard, Valindra defeated the Cult of the Dragon over the dracolich Azharzel. The Spellplague Victims then became a priority again as the Prophet of Helm’s Holds a Rohini Succubus. With the Ashmadai activates in Neverwinter, the Heroes raids the fortress, defeats Rohini and slays her green dragon Chartilifax.

When the Barrow Lords and the Netherese necromancer Idris raised the dead of Ebon Downs, the Heroes of the Sleeping Bridge were dispatched and defeated the undead. When the Uthgardt barbarians under the Netherese began to hunt down the Forsworn, the Heroes decided to put an end to the Netherese threat. Stopping Netheril’s plans with Xin’Kar, a piece of the Xinlenal Enclave, the Heroes defeated the Uthgarde chieftain and Netherese forces. Joining forces with Company Yargo, the Heroes then took another Blackdagger Pirate, the undead Bartholomew Blackdagger. Aiding the Icehammer Dwarves, the Heroes proceeded to slay the Frost Giant Hrimnir and destroy the Winterforge. When the Chasm is Threatened by the Order of the Blue Fire, Rhazzad’s masters. Heading down the Chasm,

When Drow slavers from Xorlarrin’s House started appearing and creating a settlement called New Xorlarrin, the Heroes set out to stop them and put an end to their fledgling designs. In doing so, they learned that the Drow Goddess Lolth was trying to take over magic. While the Xorlarrins retreat, the Heroes defeat the Giant Fire Gommoth and Karrundax red dragon. The Xorlarrins retakes the abandoned city of Zesraena and fights the Heroes at the Doors of Delay in a losing effort. Learning from the Xorlarrin alliance with Illithids, the Heroes fought the Mind Flayers and their Duergar thralls, eventually entering a structure known to the Iron Heart to defeat Yshiggol.

Valindra Shadowmantle directly with their strength grown up, the Heroes of the Sleeping Bridge decides to end the destructive conflict between Neverwinter and Thay by targeting Entering Castle Never, the Heroes fight through hordes of undead and Valindra’s most powerful soldiers. Eventually confronting the Lich Queen directly, they defeat her and her dracolich Ahzarzel.

Development and release

Atari bought Cryptic Studios in the fall of 2009. ^[13] In late August 2010, Atari announced Neverwinter , to be developed by Cryptic Studios, with a release scheduled for late 2011. ^[14] They revealed that the game would coincide with a multi -media event revolving around the city of Neverwinter, including the release of four books (one already in stores), a co-operative board game and a Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game being released to the MMORPG. ^[15] In May 2011, Atari announced that it would be selling Cryptic Studios, stating that development of Neverwinter would continue as normal, but only for the time being.^[16]

The game was first at E3 2011 , where many details about the game were revealed. ^[17] The game was Originally scheduled to be released as a cross media event coinciding with the release of a series of four books by fantasy author RA Salvatore and a tabletop game from Wizards of the Coast . ^[19] Due to Cryptic’s acquisition by Perfect World Entertainment , Neverwinter was delayed to 2012. ^[19] Perfect World also bought the rights to publish the game from Atari, coinciding with the conclusion of Atari’s lawsuit with Wizards of the Coast on theDungeons & Dragons license. ^[20] Perfect World announced that Neverwinter had shifted from the co-operative multiplayer game that was announced in the previous year to a free-to-play MMORPG on October 5, 2011. This more delayed the game to late 2012. ^[6] Perfect World would later again delay Neverwinter into early 2013 to better polish the game. ^[21]

Prior to releasing major details on the game, Perfect World launched a viral marketing campaign called the Siege of Neverwinter, featuring videos from the game’s story. ^[22] The game was at Penny Arcade Expo (Pax) East 2012, where it was awarded Best of Show by MMORPG.com. ^[23] In the same month of PAX East, it also appeared at Gamescom , where it showed off its Events feature, and Gen Con Indy, where it was expected to start early version drow race characters. ^{[ citation needed ]} It was announced in 2012 that the game would have sixty levels. ^[24] The game ran closedbeta testingfrom February 8, 2013 to April 14, 2013. Open beta began on April 30, 2013. ^[25]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores aggregator Score GameRankings (CP) 74% [26] (XONE) 67% [27] Metacritic (PC) 74/100 [28] (XONE) 66/100 [29] Review scores Publication Score Eurogamer 6/10 [30] GameSpot 6.0 / 10 [32] GamesRadar 4/5 [31] IGN 6.8 / 10 [33]

This section needs expansion . You can help by adding to it . (August 2013)

Neverwinter has attained scores of 74/100 and 73.60% from aggregated websites Metacritic and GameRankings respectively. ^[26] [28] Daniel Tack of Forbes wrote: ” Neverwinter offers experiences for players Normally That Would not play MMORPGs, and aussi Provides a framework for such core players Looking for Action and adventure in the world of Forgotten Realms.? Neverwinter Delivers . ” ^[34]

References