Customer Reviews

Neverwinter Nights: Kingmaker Expansion Pack

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

First of all, it should be noted that this is a compilation of modules created by Bioware for their digital distribution system. Atari, as the published of the original Neverwinter Nights, has the right to distribute these also, and has apparently opted to do so. You can buy Kingmaker, or a bundle of Shadowguard and Witch's Wake, at Bioware's online store, probably for less money, and just download them. The Bioware store versions have an irritating copy protection mechanism which requires that you have an active internet connection when you start the game, and each time you load a saved game, in order to verify the legitimacy of the module. The word on the Bioware Forums from Derek French, Bioware's Live Team Producer, is that this boxed version will not require a live internet connection to play. With those details out of the way, I have to say: Kingmaker is a fantastic module. It has an excellent story line, good voice acting, interesting characters, new content, new art, new music, and is fun to play. The drawback is the short length. Bioware rates Kingmaker as 5-8 hours of gameplay; I'm inclined to agree. I'd say it has some replayability: I think you could certainly replay it at least one extra time and have it be novel, as the module does provide a lot of mutually exclusive choices. Kingmaker is basically all you'd expect from a great module, except that it is short. Witch's Wake is a remake. It has a handful of new goodies, but it is essentially a repackaging of a free module. You can download the original, free Witch's Wake. It lacks the music track and the subrace system, but the core of the game is the same. Shadowguard I'm going to have to be extremely critical of. I would recommend anyone interested in Bioware modules avoid it. The module itself is excellent, but it plays like the first chapter of an epic book. The second chapter is not for sale, nor has there been any indication that it will be. As such, when you complete the module, your almost certain reaction will be: what happens next?! It is well done, with memorable PCs and good production values, and that makes it all the more painful when the story ends abruptly just as the conflicts created are escalating. In conclusion, if you want Kingmaker, and the Internet-connection requirement is not a deterrant for you, go buy it from the Bioware store. If you can't download it or despise the copy protection mechanism, then only buy Kingmaker if you are a rabid NWN fan... the short length will likely be a disappointment to anyone else buying it on CD.

Amazon is selling this expansion for $19, which is somewhat expensive. For new player who never play NWN, Neverwinter Nights: Diamond Compilation Pack is a better deal. It includes Kingmaker plus original game and two other expansions for $20. For experienced player who already have SoU and HotU, you could buy the modules directly from BioWare. Shadow Guard + Witch's Wake cost $5 total and Kingmaker costs $8. The download not only saves you money, but also saves you the delivery time.

I'm a lady gamer and enjoyed Kingmaker a lot. I downloaded the digital download version from Bioware's website, which DOES require a live connection to save and load. Overall, the mod was fun, but I found the romance with Calibast (who is a dwarf with flame on his head), something called an Azer, a little over the top. I prefer my romanceable henchmen to be more than just comic relief. Still the game was fun and engaging, and I would recommend it if you are waiting for NWN 2 to come out and are experiencing a lull.

4 stars. Read the mod requirements carefully to make sure you have the required software and hardware before installing.

If you are a NWN fan then you will probably enjoy these modules... to a point. The modules are well done, but I would have enjoyed them more if a couple of things were different.

First: the copy protection scheme is very irritating. Frankly, I am tired of paying way too much for a computer game only to be told at startup that the software must ensure that I am not a scoundrel playing with a pirated copy (Yes... I am offended). And, come on, rechecking the copy protection every time you reload a saved game... that's just paranoia. The solution is simple for me, I won't be buying any more NWN modules (they join my boycott of the Steam and StarForge protected games).

Second: I enjoy a good storyline in an RPG, and I love to read. However, the modules (ShadowGuard and especially Witch's Wake") take verbose storytelling to a higher level. There is so much text to read that at times I forget that there is actually a computer game going on in the background.

IMHO, just play the original NWN game again and buy the modules only if you must.

There's really no point in buying this if you've already got the demo-version, because the expansion pack is just the demo with its own C.D. It stops at the exact same spots, and you're given the same choices. The creators never continued the story after the first "chapter" so there's nothing beyond it. I enjoyed playing the game, but overall there's no point to buy it when they give you these epic beginnings but no follow-through.

Basically: Don't bother.

On BioWare's official site, Kingmaker costs $8, Kingmaker Lite costs $6. Shadowguard costs $5 & comes with Witch's Wake for free, putting this pacakge at a value between $11 & $13. Apparently, the box they come in & disc they're burned on cost between $6 & $8, making this a bad value.

There is a reason BioWare is selling Shadowguard & Witch's Wake on their website at 2 for $5, & that reason is that Shadowguard & Witch's Wake are incomplete modules with unresolved cliffhanger endings. In Shadowguard, you're just about to persuit the party that razed your city & killed your father, & that's where it ends.

Kingmaker is a good mod. Do buy it, but don't buy this overpriced set to get it.

Alright, I have gotten this game, and the fact of the matter is that you can play this game with out an internet connection. I played this mod offline, when I got it, and it played...so the review that says you need a connection is wrong...donot go by that. I have the game and you can play with out a connection. It is an awesome game, and being a hardcore fan and member of the NWN community, these mods add alot.

So donot let the internet connection thing deter you...you donot need a connection to play this. If you got NWN and the other two epxansions this is a great set...and if you are new, purchase NWN platinum and get this. You love roleplaying, be a part of the communtiy and you will discover a true rp experience, with out a montly cost...

Truly a great addition to a great product. The three mods add alot....and are great in true bioware tradition. BTW one of the maker of the mods, Altaris, who made Shadowguard has two great free mods for download. LIke I said this is a great addition!

I'll preface this by saying that I LOVED Neverwinter Nights and the Hordes of the Underdark expansion and at least mostly enjoyed Shadows of Undrentide (once I got past the beginning of it).

However, if you actually pay MONEY for Kingmaker, there is something seriously wrong with you. My main complaint with this expansion is the inanity of its story. It's like someone gave LSD to a 4-year-old and said "Write the most absurd and ridiculous thing you can possibly think of. Here's a Monster Manual, all of your NPCs should be monsters of some sort. Oh, and remember to make it completely absurd." The problem is that it's not absurd in the Monty Python sense so that it's entertaining. It's absurd in the sense that you reach the end of the module and you are at once relieved that you're done with this piece of garbage but also angry that you wasted 5 hours of your life!

I played through it because it was bundled with the other expansions in NWN Diamond. So if you don't have NWN Diamond but you have the other expansions, don't buy this. Unless you hate yourself. Or you do serious drugs, I don't, maybe that's why I hated this game.

Well, so far I only completed ShadowGuard, which was a short single player game. Sadly, it didn't have best ending since the story was planned to continue with a sequel, which was never made (hear same for witch's wake but haven't finished). The good news is you don't need to have internet to verify games like the online purchased one. Also, you can no longer get the premium modules online from what I seen, so this is the only way to get these games.
It updated my NWN from 1.59 to 1.66 (not quite 1.69 so I still need to load critical rebuild >.<). However, I found after installing kingmaker I no longer need the CD to play any of the NWN games (probably can get that from V1.69 but I can't load that atm). Overall, I'm glad I got this addition.

A case of " You get what you paid for." I paid 1 dollar+shipping for this expansion and I got what I paid for alright. Its a mediocre module for single player. Multiplayer is does not work at all. Most of the game's scripted events run a single time, and will not reset so a second player can come in as well. SOme of the scripts that do reset, end up looping over and over endlessly because other scripts they rely on will not activate. It is a module. Not much more then that can be said on behalf of its creators. Unpaid fans have made better by far. Ive made better alone without a team to help me.

The two other modules that come in this package, Shadowguard and Witch's Wake seem as if they were never finished. There are bugs abroad in here.

I give this 2 star instead of 1 because honestly I did enjoy some parts of it, and it did inspire me to pick up some of my previously abandoned modules as well. Ultimately no replay value at all.

Ultimately I do not feel good nor bad about this. A dollar is a dollar. But I do feel the need to point out that other companies, such as Bethesda put out FREE mods of superior value to these on their website for Morrowind. Why Atari felt the need to charge 20 dollars for this item which is clearly not even finished...well who knows.