Neverwinter RPG

[Baryonyx]

http://www.totalxbox.com/82821/neverwinter-closed-...

MMO Neverwinter is arriving on Xbox One soon and you can sign up for a closed beta test. I've put my details down so I hope to get an invite!

[Mastodon2]

Let's hope it's free-to-play and not pay-to-win.

[Baryonyx]

I expect the paid content will be worthwhile, and I can see myself putting some cash into it, I would expect the natural progression for players who are interested in the game would be for them to put some cash into it. There are plenty of great free to play games but they are mostly all pay to win, eventually. The classic MMO model is payment on a subscription, so PTW would be another way around that.

Whatever happens, I'm excited for it as I love D&D games.

I've added a few pictures from the PC version as the console version hasn't been shown yet.

[Lurking Lawyer]

I registered on Friday. I have very fond memories of Neverwinter Nights and Baldur's Gate.....

[snoopy25]

looks awesome signed up as well

[mizx]

I'd forgotten they were doing this, couldn't really see the point but I suppose it brings a larger audience. It feels late to the party in some ways, though when I think about it isn't; it is in good place in my opinion, especially in terms of end-game content, there's really no shortage of it. I've been playing on the PC since beta, though have only done two characters. I don't really want to work out what my playing time is (edit: I found how to check in-game, 600 hours...)

Any fans of Forgotten Realms in particular should really like it. I've never played pen and paper RPGs myself, but by some accounts this is by no means a D&D game, even though some of the mechanics are in the background. Less so than I understand DDO was/is, so that might be off-putting for some. The Foundry (player made quests) is probably the key asset to the game for any P&P RPG fans.

There are some problems. Gear Scores though ultimately meaningless have gone through the roof since the first expansions, with more and more ways to add stats brought into the game, as a result in my opinion soloing PVE can be a little easy at times depending on your class and build, even though it's been made steadily harder. The tier 1 and 2 dungeons aren't so popular to run now, as the new artifact equipment in the last two modules has driven the T1/2 piece prices down a lot. That does mean getting more suitable GS for the later content is easier though.

PVP is also worth pointing out. It's very popular although this isn't really PVP centric game, it does have an achievement/target based campaign, leader boards, some 5v5 maps, 20v20 for guilds, and two open areas within two of the 3rd module zones. For new level 60s (highest level and the end of the main quest line) I could see it being a grind-fest of daily quests to do all the 'module' expansions that there are so far at once, you'll probably want to do one or two at a time.

In terms of paid 'content', there isn't any as such. There are a few races which are behind a paywall (Dragonborn, some elf, and Menzoberranzan Renegade if you want to be Drizzt ). The expansion modules are all free, and will continue to be as far as I know. As it's all done through the Zen store, and you can trade in-game cash for Zen, there isn't anything that couldn't be bought with in-game currency.

For some types of item, the very best within those, R10 enchants, Perfect weapon/armor enchants etc. are ridiculously expensive in the Auction House, though I suppose that's standard for most MMOs. Items that use the refining system can be leveled up, right up to the highest levels, if you have the resources. You certainly don't need the best enchants, or even the best gear, to succeed at all.

On balance it is and isn't pay to win. What is "win"? While leveling and doing the main story it isn't a factor really. At 60, to get good base set of gear, companion, perhaps one extra artifact and a fast mount; you'll be playing a while to afford them, perhaps get your main set from drops if you are lucky; or you could spend £50. The same if not more to take your setup to the next level (figuratively speaking). The highest level items are a different matter entirely being so expensive in-game. It's not the best business model, but reasonably fair considering this is published by PWE of all people.

I've put around £60 into the game, mostly to buy game currency to pay for gear to avoid having to play a lot to get it. One thing that's generally considered essential spending is on a higher speed mount early on, from the Zen store these are all account bound so can be used on any of your characters.

Edited by mizx on Wednesday 4th February 12:06

[Steven_RW]

mizx said:

detailed note about the game

Thanks for sharing. This reminds me that no matter how much skyrim I have played I am a total noob re d&d :-)

RW

[Baryonyx]

I got the email with my beta key this morning. I've input the code but there is nothing to download at the moment, the email suggests the beta will be going live tomorrow, so we'll see what happens then.

[Baryonyx]

The achievements list sounds good too:


http://www.xboxachievements.com/game/neverwinter-o...



A Hero Emerges 10
Reach level 10 with one character
Paragon Hero 25
Reach level 30 with one character
Epic Hero 50
Reach level 60 with one character
Faith in the Fallen 15
Take a leap of faith
Aberrations 15
Defeat 500 Aberrations
Bandits 15
Defeat 500 Bandits
Devils 15
Defeat 500 Devils
Dragons 15
Defeat 50 Dragons
Drow 15
Defeat 500 Drow
Foulspawn 15
Defeat 500 Foulspawn
Giants 15
Defeat 50 Giants
Goblins 15
Defeat 500 Goblins
Kobolds 15
Defeat 500 Kobolds
Lizardfolk 15
Defeat 500 Lizardfolk
Lycanthropes 15
Defeat 500 Lycanthropes
Orcs 15
Defeat 500 Orcs
Spiders 15
Defeat 500 Spiders
Trolls 15
Defeat 500 Trolls
Undead 15
Defeat 1000 Undead
Dragon's Bane 200
Defeat 1000 Dragons
Dungeoneering 20
Complete 10 normal dungeons
Dungeon Master 50
Complete 25 epic dungeons
Generational 100
Reach level 60 with 2 characters
Would you look at it? Just look at it! 25
Discover all Scrying Stones in 14 zones
Sage 25
Collect 250 pieces of lore
Barrow Scholar 10
Learn all about the Barrows
Eye Chirurgeon 15
Stand eye to eye with your greatest fears
Let's Ride! 10
Equip a mount
Adventure of a Lifetime 5
Complete the tutorial
Ancient 10
Equip an artifact
Daily Affirmation 10
Learn about invocation
Brilliant 10
Earn 50,000 Astral Diamonds
By Your Side 15
Collect a companion
Cornering Karzov 10
Complete the quest: Cornering Karzov
Plague Tower 10
Complete the quest: Plague Tower
Fists of the Warband 10
Complete the quest: Fists of the Warband
Grimstorm Keep 10
Complete the quest: Grimstorm Keep
The Clockwork Guild Tomb 10
Complete the quest: The Clockwork Guild Tomb
The Sanatorium 10
Complete the quest: The Sanatorium
The Drowned King 10
Complete the quest: The Drowned King
The Shadow Falls 10
Complete the quest: The Shadow Falls
Scoundrel's Retreat 10
Complete the quest: Scoundrel's Retreat
The Icy Guardian 10
Complete the quest: The Icy Guardian
Source of Corruption 10
Complete the quest: Source of Corruption
The Edge of the Underdark 10
Complete the quest: The Edge of the Underdark
Temple of the Primordial 10
Complete the quest: Temple of the Primordial
Illithid Enclave 10
Complete the quest: Illithid Enclave
Bump in the Night 30
Defeat 1 Beholder, 1 Gelatinous Cube, and 1 Mimic

[Mastodon2]

That does seem like a great list, I'm looking forward to this.

[mizx]

That list is probably incomplete, there's a lot more than that http://neverwinter.gamepedia.com/Achievement

I'm guessing Xbox will get what were the 'vanilla' achievements on PC too, I read the expansions are being rolled out gradually on Xbox (we are on 5 now, 6 out in April), though I couldn't find anything clear. Has there been anything definite about whether it's cross-platform or not yet?

Edited by mizx on Friday 6th February 20:10

[Baryonyx]

That list will most likely be the first 1000/1000GS in the game. As time goes on, more achievements will be added and perhaps the full list will be available in game (much like Diablo 3, which had 1000GS of gamerscore in it along with all the PC achievements on an in-game menu). I expect there will be many more achievements with no GS for unlocking, but with a reward instead, much like Sunset Overdrive has done.


Anyway, I got a pop up on my screen earlier noting that the game had downloaded. I hadn't thought to check my download queue, it must start downloading automatically once the key is entered. I started it up, but it won't connect to the server and there is nothing else to look at. It goes live at 6PM tomorrow afternoon.

[Baryonyx]

Well, the beta is up and running and it's amazing! Genuinely, unlike anything I've ever played before on console. Not even the MMO-lite affairs like Destiny have anything on this. Having played for a couple of hours, everything is just screaming 'depth! depth! more depth!'.

The only thing I am wondering though, is will there be a wipe on beta characters once it's closed? I've not seen official word either way. I'd hate to get attached to a character now only to find out later that I'll lose everything I've done in the beta session. FWIW, I've went with a halfling ranger character. I love halflings and the ranger skills are neat, and give me some great supporting options for bigger fights where I can hang back and deal damage from afar whilst other players rush and melee. I was tempted by the mage character tree though so I might do my second character on that branch.

[mizx]

Baryonyx said:

The only thing I am wondering though, is will there be a wipe on beta characters once it's closed?

If it's the same as the PC beta, it will transfer straight over.

Glad to hear you like it so far

[Baryonyx]

That's what I hoped for, it means that I won't be wasting the time I've spent on it so far.

Anyway, I've progressed out of the town hub to Blacklake, which seems pretty cool. I've done a few rounds of the skirmish at the lakeside where you have to fight the waves of zombies and then the giant mage. That's great fun, seeing the rest of your party trying out their skills. The queueing system is great too, since it means you can keep playing and questing whilst you wait for the party to fill up with the requisite number of players (though you're never left waiting long, it's better than just looking at a menu screen).

How do you leave a group once you're in one though? I had to log out earlier to allow me to progress to a sewer dungeon to face the Wererats, as it wouldn't let me progress without my party, consisting of one other member who was logged out!

Also, I am playing as a ranger and I have bow and some daggers. I've got them both equipped now, but I can't figure out how to switch between them. If there a way of switching betwee equipped weapons mid-combat?

[Lurking Lawyer]

I downloaded the beta last night. It was taking an age though so I didn't get to actually try it.

Is it going to be sub-based going forwards? I'll probably not even try the beta if it's going to be pay-to-play. Elder Scrolls saw the light on that though, so hopefully this won't need a paid sub either.

[Baryonyx]

No, there is no subscription.

[mizx]

Baryonyx said:

How do you leave a group once you're in one though? I had to log out earlier to allow me to progress to a sewer dungeon to face the Wererats, as it wouldn't let me progress without my party, consisting of one other member who was logged out!

Also, I am playing as a ranger and I have bow and some daggers. I've got them both equipped now, but I can't figure out how to switch between them. If there a way of switching betwee equipped weapons mid-combat?

Whichever button/key is bound to the icon on the left of your three encounter powers at the bottom of the screen, it unlocks at lvl 10.

edit: this one http://i59.tinypic.com/280p1md.jpg

Not sure how leaving parties works on a pad though. On PC you right-click your picture in the top left, and leave party is a menu option. "/team_leave" in the chat might work if they allow console commands on the xbox.

Edited by mizx on Friday 6th February 20:10

[Baryonyx]

I think the party issue might be a beta bug, since I couldn't find an option to leave, even once the last party member was showing as logged out. Everyone else seemed to have figured out how to go!

I am really, really blown away by this game at the moment. It's so pure as an MMO, and yet so sleekly designed and well executed for a pad. I am considering plugging a spare USB keyboard into my Xbox One and seeing if I can get typing on the chat window.

[Slacey]

Press (what used to be) select, then the first thing it highlights, your player, press A. Leave Group is one of the options. Took me a long time to find that too!