Nothing New, Nothing Special
It looks alright but uses huge amounts of system resources. The Environments and Characters are all lacking in wow factor. It all looks a bit boring.
Character Development is also lacking. There is an influence system that depending on your response to dilemmas and questions given to you raises all lowers your standing with certain characters in your party because of this their stories seem to detached to the main thread and you always feeling your missing points. Being good or evil can make quiet a difference for the 1st act, as there are toy opposing story lines... you can join the guards or the criminal underworld but after this you alignment makes little difference. The Story on the whole is pretty average, better than a lot of games but still completely predictable with uninspired twists. Those who are fan of "romance" options ala Baldur’s Gate, will be glad they’ve made a comeback, but will be disappointed that there only one available, despite other being hinted at, for female and one for males. There a now same sex threads, and both a complete goody goodies (a Elf Druids and a Human Paladin) The best part of the game is where you get to build your own fortress, unfortunately there aren’t enough unique options to replay. Basically the only differences you can choose are between a Church or a Monastery and a Gambling Den or Mages Tower. Neither of which have an effect on the final battle. Nor does the number of men you manage to recruit makes a difference. So it is on the whole an not fully realised feature. The game play is what you expect, if you liked the first NWN and Baldur’s Gate you'll like this, but just don't expect anything new.
The community seems pretty good and Obsidian do seem to visit the boards and listen to suggestions On the whole if you've played other D’n’D games and enjoyed them, you will enjoy this. However it does trade depth for looks so don’t expect the hours of gunplay you’ve got from the others