by Jody - January 20, 2004

With the third and final expansion pack released for the critically acclaimed Neverwinter Nights, we finally see an ending to one of the greatest Role-Playing game stories ever created. Since the very beginning, Neverwinter Nights has been action packed with a great combination of graphics, storyline, sound, and multiplayer replay value� and this expansion is no exception. Join us as we review the last expansion for the Neverwinter Nights series � Hordes of the Underdark!

Neverwinter Nights is awesome.

Just as the other NWNs go, you start off and embark into the storyline. This time it�s the third part of the Neverwinter Nights plotline. Not revealing what this storyline is though, we can safely say that it�s worth playing� as long as you�ve played the other two first.

Besides the addition of the new terrains and monsters, comes the new level cap! Now all of your level 20 characters who were just boring can now go all the way to level 40! I do admit that it�s going to be pretty hard to get to level 40 though � I have yet to accomplish that feat. Playing through the campaign, killing as many monsters are possible will only get you to level 28. Good luck leveling for the remainder of the way.

Aged, but lush

Despite how much I love to play this game and such, we can all pretty much tell that it�s aging pretty quickly. In terms of special effects and lighting though, Neverwinter Nights still takes the cake. I find it rather luscious how the transition from day-to-night goes. The tile sets in the game are also quite amazing. Being able to create your own map is one thing that makes NWN the ultimate Dungeon and Dragons RPG in my opinion.

A little bit good... some bad.

The in-game of Hordes of the Underdark is ear-candy � as with any other NWN title. The only flaw though is how it repeats itself over and over during certain parts throughout the game. Maybe when you�re in the menu or going back to the same area of town... it tends to annoy you. Also, the hack and slash sounds as well as the defense moans are not as good as they used to be. Other than this though, this game does well in its musical portion. The music really makes me remember this game when I listen to it afterwards.

Multiplayer replay value!

Now that we are at the ending, I am truly sad. Looking forward to the first release of this game for about four years, I can clearly say that I was impressed when it was finally released. Even though the graphics then had still aged themselves, the game was still unlike any other D&D style RPG. Also, the multiplayer part keeps gamers playing nonstop.

When I first started my character, who is now known as Jerek Cys�varine, I wanted him as evil as possible. I would go into random online servers and just obliterate people� until someone would attack me in groups with their large arsenal of swords and bows. Despite that, I would still attack back with my small posse � or I would freeze time and blow everyone to bits with a lethal one-touch death attack. Call it cheap all you want, when it comes down to my dying or your living, you�re going down.

NWN is worth it, no matter the case.

All in all, if you�ve played the first two, there should be NO reason not to get this. Even if you have only played the first, this game is a worthy expansion. For those gamers that have never even heard of NWN, I recommend this game if you can understand the concepts of RPGs. If you can�t, well, go play some Madden game or something.