>>6139062I did complete NwN2 Mask Of The Betrayer, genuinely one of the best-written crpg storylines, follower companions, more emotional than Planescape Torment or other cited crpg landmarks. dnd is broken you are an unkillable walking spell flinging god, the moment you try crafting immediately you make a +8 greatsword, enchant 5d6 x3 fire lightning acid damage, equip on a wizard with no base attack and melt all enemies. Combat is thereafter ruined, every encounter ends in 2 hits, bizarrely reviews cited Mask Of The Betrayer as challenging, intimidating (Vampire-like spirit eater mechanic, your energy constantly drains, you must choose between devouring enemies / satiating your hunger, or restraining it) the actual game mechanic is laughable you can barely ever die from it, if you adopt an evil / devour spirits route, you gain even more overpowered crafting artifacts, no challenge whatsoever
MotB is a vampire game, the spirit eater mechanic makes you feel like a vampire, yet I completed the entire game without devouring anything it was extremely easy. The hunger mechanic intends to add tension eg the Hag Mother drowned maze
>>6144222 it is possible to get a bit lost and panic as your spirit drains but really the game is not difficult, it is the opposite you are far too overpowered. Really NwN2 MotB is played for atmosphere and story not challenge
Many of the loading screens in MotB are presented as a dungeonmaster describing the level transition, eg "you see tree roots emerging from the cavern ceiling... you must be close to the surface now"
A crpg battle I remember as difficult was BG2 Demogorgon, casting multiple simulacrum spells rhythmically spam summoning and spell breach to whittle down monstrous resistances, that was an interesting fight (the Twisted Rune fight or the early lich battles in BG2 could be a challenge, but you could use positioning tactics to overcome them)
After playing Nwn2 MotB I completed an adaptation of a 1979 Gary Gygax dnd module, Keep On The Borderlands, someone converted the campaign into nwn2 engine, it has distinctive dungeon design.
In many rpgs the dungeons are just H, T, L shape grid junctions. In the 1979 Gygax module, the layouts are varied, in particular there is Z shaped slope terrain (imagine a ridge, or a road winding around a hill) The Z-shaped hill mound occurs in one of the very first fights (I had 4/4 hp lol) versus archers and spearmen, the fight is impossible as liinear confrontation, but you can use the ridgeline to trap the numerically superior force, eliminate archers from height and then rain missiles down as the wave of melee charges you. I was incredibly impressed by the Gygax terrain layout, having played so many crpgs, it was not something I had seen before. Also, there is a DAMSEL IN DISTRESS (I fell for this trap, unlock dungeon door, it is a horrible medusa lady)
Anyway, pic related is nwn2 Harp And Chrysanthemum, this one is incredible too
