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Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir PC
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2008
User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 4 out of 33

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  1. AndymanMessiah
    Mar 23, 2011
    8
    Storm of Zehir tries a lot of new things and for that reason it should be commended. The travelling, the improved skill checks, the ability to create your own party are all good things. Sadly, the plot is a bit lacking and we never quite get to experience this STORM of Zehir. It's there, you fight it and then it's over. Lackluster to say the least, but technically SoZ is a fine experiment that I would have loved to see more of. Also: the final dungeon is amazing.… Expand
  2. Bantis
    Dec 8, 2008
    8
    I think this game's total should be at least 80 but then on the other hand I think I understand why it's not. This was a real departure from what has been offered compared to relatively recent computer D&D games. I think this even includes the much praised BG2 even though it was released years ago. SoZ offers some real freedom in so far as exploration is concerned and as such it makes great strides in using skills that have, for the most part, been ignored in these games such as survival and spot. These skills are pretty much required for use on the new overland map. So I think because of this freedom and new direction the usual deep and satisfying heavy story driven experience that these games are known for is very much missing to make way for this new level of freedom. Because of this I think it only natural, to a certain degree, that the fans and community of this series will be somewhat split with this new direction. There is a story here but it is weak at best. The crux of the game really is the exploration. I think Obsidian really went balls out and this one to take such a departure to a tried and true formula. I think there are valid points on each side of the whether it is successful or not debate. I know that at different points in the game my own take on the debate switched back and forth. On the whole though I liked the game and know I will replay it again. With these points and going back to the first paragraph where I said I think I understand the scores this game is receiving, I think reviewers were a bit a surprised with what they got probably assuming it would be another rich, story based experience. I think some of them just didn’t know what to make of the game. I still think that is the case. Also it is worth nothing that even if you love the game it is, in my opinion, hard to give the game higher than and 80+ score because the game does have some surprising bugs. Nothing near making it unplayable (not even close) but some of the quest and system bugs leave you scratching your head as to how they could be missed in Q&A. I say though if you are a D&D fan, especially if you are a PnP player, this title is worth picking up. Just go into it knowing you are in for a different type of computer D&D experience. It is freedom driven rather than story driven. Also I want to add that if (and I hope that there is) a third expansion, if it combines this freedom along side a story like the first expansion, Mask of the Betrayer, it may just make for the strongest computer D&D experience of all time. I mean in that in a way that the experience would be BY FAR the strongest. Come on Atari give Obsidian one more go.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. JerryH.
    Feb 4, 2009
    9
    Its an overall good game. A lot of things could be fined tuned though such as the new Overhead map and the trading gets boring since there's hardly any variety and reminds me a lot of building your castle in NWN2 which was also a little boring. Most towns only have 3 buildings that you can go in and you cannot even explore the town you just go right in from entering the town, which makes it seem like you playing with about 10 people instead of a large world. Voice acting is awful but the soundtrack is actually really good and I often turned off my music to listen to it. All in all its worth $20 and it should hold you off for awhile, or entirely with modding, until Dragon Age: Origins is released.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. J.S.
    Jan 13, 2010
    2
    Really, really bad compared to the other expansion. While the concept could be interesting for some multiplayer projects, the single player campaign does suck. Many cities to visit, too bad they all have the same tavern, party customization, with no actual interaction between party members except occasional extra options during conversation that sounded much like "Let me remember you that I am a druid. Yep. A druid.". Towns are much like small squares with some merchants advertising their product, but don't worry. You can't actually buy anything from most of them. Did I mention that you can explore a lot of small and interesting places around the map? Sometimes they are even big enough to contain more than one room. But while getting there you can enjoy the various random encounters and enjoy the continue area changes this will force. However, at least you have a boring short imitation of a plot to enjoy when you're done exploring the sometimes bugged cities.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. James
    Dec 10, 2008
    6
    I don't know why the user rating is so high. This add-on is mediocre at best. The overland map and, in particular, the effort to make greater use of characters' skills are welcome additions, but the execution is poor. There are no lengthy dungeons to speak of, just a series of one- or two-room locations with little individuality or creativity. The same goes for the cities, most of which are nothing more than a series of identical taverns and temples. I'd like to see some of the elements of this project applied to a more substantial NWN 2 expansion or mod, but Zehir is unfortunately all concept and very little execution.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. Dave
    Dec 4, 2008
    9
    I really think the Gamespot reviewer missed the boat on this one. The game is by no means perfect... it is, for one, very buggy, just like NWN2 was. But these are not the reasons for the Gamespot reviewer's score; he harped on things like bad voice acting. Really? Bad voice acting is that much of a detriment to the game? Aside from the fact that I thought the voice acting was actually quite good (and I am normally a harsh critic of stilted, pseudo-medieval, 'Verily, thou art a buxom wench!' voice acting), does that really justify such a poor score? The game is great for old school RPG players. They have ported almost all the DnD 3.5 classes and Prestige Classes, and they have succeeded in making almost all the skills valuable. This game has captivated me for some time now. If you have a good system and you don't mind dealing with some bugs, you will have a great time.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. JohnM
    Dec 11, 2008
    10
    Killer new party system - making classes/ races much more useful - RPGs should be about player created story not linear canned story experiences. Praise their efforts to push NWN in this bold new direction.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. FomarT.
    Dec 10, 2008
    8
    I think this game's total should be at least 80 but then on the other hand I think I understand why it's not. This was a real departure from what has been offered compared to relatively recent computer D&D games. I think this even includes the much praised BG2 even though it was released years ago. SoZ offers some real freedom in so far as exploration is concerned and as such it makes great strides in using skills that have, for the most part, been ignored in these games such as survival and spot. These skills are pretty much required for use on the new overland map. So I think because of this freedom and new direction the usual deep and satisfying heavy story driven experience that these games are known for is very much missing to make way for this new level of freedom. Because of this I think it only natural, to a certain degree, that the fans and community of this series will be somewhat split with this new direction. There is a story here but it is weak at best. The crux of the game really is the exploration. I think Obsidian really went balls out and this one to take such a departure to a tried and true formula. I think there are valid points on each side of the whether it is successful or not debate. I know that at different points in the game my own take on the debate switched back and forth. On the whole though I liked the game and know I will replay it again. With these points and going back to the first paragraph where I said I think I understand the scores this game is receiving, I think reviewers were a bit a surprised with what they got probably assuming it would be another rich, story based experience. I think some of them just didn’t know what to make of the game. I still think that is the case. Also it is worth nothing that even if you love the game it is, in my opinion, hard to give the game higher than and 80+ score because the game does have some surprising bugs. Nothing near making it unplayable (not even close) but some of the quest and system bugs leave you scratching your head as to how they could be missed in Q&A. I say though if you are a D&D fan, especially if you are a PnP player, this title is worth picking up. Just go into it knowing you are in for a different type of computer D&D experience. It is freedom driven rather than story driven. Also I want to add that if (and I hope that there is) a third expansion, if it combines this freedom along side a story like the first expansion, Mask of the Betrayer, it may just make for the strongest computer D&D experience of all time. I mean that in a way that the experience would be BY FAR the strongest. Come on Atari give Obsidian one more go.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. YeshuaAgapao
    Nov 2, 2011
    8
    While not entirely successful, this tried to mix the storytelling of the first NWN2 game with the munchkinsm and hack-and-slash of the gold box games. I like custom create-your-own-party games, but these games have never achieved the storytelling ability of the more restrictive games (like NWN2). The 4+2 (4 PC + 2NPC) party size of the gold box series is better (Storm of Zehir is 4+1, 4+2 with leadership feat; it should be 4+2 / 4+4). Most of the better PnP adventuring party sizes are 5-8, and 6 is just right (4-12 are the playable boundaries). Maybe a 4+2+2 (4 player-created PCs, 2 long-term / full-control NPCs, 2 short-term / limited control NPCs) would be better with the leadership feat doubling the NPC allowances (4+4+4). Golden Sun and Final Fantasy V are probably the closest - you don't create all the PCs but you have heavy control on their development and their pre-existing levels aren't too much of a burden. Just thinking about it, Temple of Elemental Evil is a 5+3 game (5 player-created PCs, 3 NPCs) and its storyline isn't that bad, though still nothing intimate with the PCs in terms of background and personality. Golden Sun is still the best in hybridization of hardcore story and player customization. I still really like having 2-4 of my own characters though but don't need 5-6 unless its multiplayer (double PC allowance to 4-8 with multiplayer).… Expand
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. 1UP
    83
    Storm of Zehir may have a lackluster story, and that's OK, because it doesn't need one. It gives you the means -- the freedom -- to make your own story. And isn't that why we like RPGs in the first place?
    Read full review
  2. IGN
    83
    With its emphasis on party, this feels like an homage to the old school D&D games of the past.
    Read full review
  3. GameSpot
    60
    Storm of Zehir tries to be the square peg in Neverwinter Nights 2's round hole, with predictably lackluster results.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »