Dev: Cryptic Studios
Pub: Perfect World
Original Release Date: June 20, 2013
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
While Neverwinter has been available on the PC for three years, it came to consoles far more recently. With the Xbox One release last year and the PlayStation 4 release just last month, the Dungeons and Dragons MMORPG has blown up in popularity. All of a sudden, everyone was asking me if I play it and highly recommending it when my answer was no.
Well, I have played a little bit of it and, I have to say, it’s on par with hugely popular paid MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV. The best part is: it’s completely free!
Based on lore from the popular tabletop franchise Dungeons and Dragons, Neverwinter takes place in the Forgotten Realms. Gamplay pulls from 4th edition D&D rules, which includes the use of dailies when it comes to spell casting and abilities. It may also be important to mention that this game is in no way linked to that awful Neverwinter Nights series from all those years ago.
In Neverwinter, you can be one of eight classes: wizard, cleric, fighter, ranger, paladin, warlock and rogue. You also have 12 races to choose from: Human, Drow, Dwarf, Half-Elf, Half-Orc, Hafling, Menzoberranzan Renegade (requires Hero of the North Add-on), Moon Elf (requires Knight of the Feywild Add-on), Sun Elf, Tiefling, Wood Elf and Dragonborn.
The story of the game takes place after the Gauntigrym novel, when the city of Neverwinter is plunged into chaos after the disappearance of the last Lord of Neverwinter. While the main game locations are based on the novels Gauntigrym, Neverwinter and Charon’s Claw, there is also the option for players to create whole new areas that may or may not conform to the lore. These areas are able to be played by other users, though there is a clear distinction between user-created and original content.
Neverwinter‘s reception in the gaming world has been mostly positive. With scores hovering around 74% positive, it’s most popular on the PlayStation 4.
The game can be found on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4. It is completely free and and an absolute blast to play.
Real Women of Gaming 