Install the x-packs right away?

Remove all ads!

I am about to install Neverwinter Nights that I have never played before. I also have the Hordes of the Underdark and the Shadows of Undertide expansion packs. If the expansion packs make too many changes to the 'first' experience, then I do not want to add them in right away. I usually like to play a game at least twice, even if it has no real replay value (like Doom 3). The second time to do better what I goofed up on the first time. For a game with good replay value, like Baldurs Gate, then I will replay even more.

My only other D&D game I have played is Baldurs Gate. With BG1, I do think playing through the first time without the expansion was the right way to do it. Since the expansion added lots of new quests to the middle of the game, making the end battles too easy. With BG2, I also played once without the expansion, because I read that the expansion changed some rules and items. So I restarted from scratch and played all the way through after installing the expansion. But the differences turned out to be so trivial (ie thieves wearing stone 'helmets') I wished I had installed the expansion from the beginning and went all the way through with my first party. Especially, since BG2 adds all the new quests after the end of the 'first' game.

So, will it be better to play the original Neverwinter Nights game first then install the expansion packs to play again?

 

The expansion packs won't significantly alter the game play for the OC. I think what you get from them is mostly access to some extra feats/skills, as well as new (prestige) classes. (I played once with expansions installed, once without, and that's all I noticed). You don't get extra quests, or henchmen. So I suggest you install all. Might make things easier in the long run

 

I say install the expansions. They expand some of the rules to allow different feats and prestige classes. These do not make the game easier but they do, in my opinion, make the game better, and you will probably want to use them in planning the long term progression of your character into the higher levels. They don't actually add anything to the content of the original campaign itself (unlike Tales of the Sword Coast did)

Also, after installation, use the very handy Update function on the opening screen to automatically update your game with the latest patches.

 

Both the expansion and the interim update packs eliminate a whole host of scripting and game engine bugs that enhance play and reduce the chance of any serious issues occurring, so it’s definitely a good idea to install them from the outset

 

I'm playing the game through once and then installing the expansions