lurchman
12.18.07, 15:31
The Thieves Guild Mod Review
A Secret in Stone
A Mod by Pella Douglas
Name UPDATED: A Secret In Stone
Author Pella Douglas
Submitted / Updated 10-21-2007 / 11-26-2007
Category Single Player
Module Types Dramatic
Scope Small
Content Teen
TricksTraps Medium
Roleplay Medium
HackSlash Medium
LevelMin 04
LevelMax 06
Gameplay Hours 03
Categories Story based.
Patch 1.10
NWN2Game NWN2:MotB
There is more information available, and the mod is available for download from NWNVault. Just follow the link below.
A Secret in Stone.
Summary:
A Secret in Stone is modmaker, Pella Douglas's first mod. I'm reviewing it, because, for a first time mod, I think she did a very good job. Although it does have some rough edges, it still is a well done mod, an fun to play. In this story, your character is enlisted by one of the towns citizens, to find out why her sister commited suicide, and what has happened to her sisters fiance. There are also a couple of side quests you can also do. And these lead me to believe that there might be future mods, continueing their storys. You could play with a PC who's level is less than 4, but I wouldn't go over level 6.
http://www.thieves-guild.net/lurchman/pics/St3.jpg
Gameplay:
When you start the game, you'll find yourself alone on a road. In the distance, you can see a female NPC, fighting off some marauding Goblins. She will join your party after you have helped her, and after a breif dialog. The two of you will travel down the road, which leads to a town. At the edge of town is a guard. He'll tell you to see the mayor, if your looking for work, and a few other things, if your diplomacy is high enough. Just passed the guard is the town. The town itself has a mix of different scenery. From the town square to the lighthouse and the docks. On the side of the tavern is a merchant, and there is a blacksmith also, if you need anything. Make sure you explore all the buildings, you never know what you'll find. And if you pass through the town, you find a map marker leading to a church, where you can get potions. For the most part gameplay goes quite smoothly, and following the quests is pretty straight forward. There are a couple of places where it might be a little confusing as to what to do next, or how to do something. But even these are minor. The starting levels are for the game are accurate, and if you start with a PC over level 6, you'll find the game will have less of a challenge. For the purposes of testing, I used a PC that began at level 4. He had no gold and no weapons, only a set of scale mail armor. But it didn't take long to raise enough gold to buy his first weapon and continue on. There are two merchants in town, but their selection is limited. Potions are available from the towns church. Between the two, there are enough supplies to make it through the game. Navigating your way around is smooth and easy to do. The sets are small and I found just using the mini-map enough to aid in my travels. You can play, using only your PC, or you can have one party member. One you will meet one possible member right away, and the other possible member, you'll meet shortly after. But your allowed only one.
http://www.thieves-guild.net/lurchman/pics/St1.jpg
Combat:
For the most part combat is balanced to your character. But there will be a couple of occasions where you'll find yourself facing a more formidable enemy. For these, you will have to have a few potions to buff yourself up with. These are available fron the town church, or you might find a few in the loot you get. The opponents you will face will be mostly of the humaniod variety, with a few exceptions. Also, I found most of the combat to be melee based, with very little magic used. Traps are frequent, and should watched for.
Scenery:
The scenery was nicely done. A lot of attention was given to making the areas, both inside and out. A wide variety of different sets were used including the town, which borders a lake/sea. There are ruins, caves, a lighthouse, and a harbor with ships at the docks. All of which make for good looking playing areas. I did feel that the village needed a little more detail to make it look "lived in". It looks a little too clean for a small coutry town.
http://www.thieves-guild.net/lurchman/pics/St2.jpg
Dialog:
The dialog is clear and consise. I had no trouble following the plot using the instructions given by the NPC's. Although I felt at times, some of it was a little over the top and really didn't lend anything to the story. But this has no effect on gameplay. I would have like to have seen a little more dialog that gives you a good background story, from which can be built on. A couple of things in the game your left wondering why, and what's next.
Music:
The music is standard NWN2 music. But was well edited into the story.
Wrap up:
Despite some rough edges, I liked the mod. And for a first time modder, she has done a really good job. I hope to see more from Pella, and I expect to see bigger and better mods from her in the future.
Score: 7 out of 10.
Reviewed by Lurchman 12/17/07
A Secret in Stone
A Mod by Pella Douglas
Name UPDATED: A Secret In Stone
Author Pella Douglas
Submitted / Updated 10-21-2007 / 11-26-2007
Category Single Player
Module Types Dramatic
Scope Small
Content Teen
TricksTraps Medium
Roleplay Medium
HackSlash Medium
LevelMin 04
LevelMax 06
Gameplay Hours 03
Categories Story based.
Patch 1.10
NWN2Game NWN2:MotB
There is more information available, and the mod is available for download from NWNVault. Just follow the link below.
A Secret in Stone.
Summary:
A Secret in Stone is modmaker, Pella Douglas's first mod. I'm reviewing it, because, for a first time mod, I think she did a very good job. Although it does have some rough edges, it still is a well done mod, an fun to play. In this story, your character is enlisted by one of the towns citizens, to find out why her sister commited suicide, and what has happened to her sisters fiance. There are also a couple of side quests you can also do. And these lead me to believe that there might be future mods, continueing their storys. You could play with a PC who's level is less than 4, but I wouldn't go over level 6.
http://www.thieves-guild.net/lurchman/pics/St3.jpg
Gameplay:
When you start the game, you'll find yourself alone on a road. In the distance, you can see a female NPC, fighting off some marauding Goblins. She will join your party after you have helped her, and after a breif dialog. The two of you will travel down the road, which leads to a town. At the edge of town is a guard. He'll tell you to see the mayor, if your looking for work, and a few other things, if your diplomacy is high enough. Just passed the guard is the town. The town itself has a mix of different scenery. From the town square to the lighthouse and the docks. On the side of the tavern is a merchant, and there is a blacksmith also, if you need anything. Make sure you explore all the buildings, you never know what you'll find. And if you pass through the town, you find a map marker leading to a church, where you can get potions. For the most part gameplay goes quite smoothly, and following the quests is pretty straight forward. There are a couple of places where it might be a little confusing as to what to do next, or how to do something. But even these are minor. The starting levels are for the game are accurate, and if you start with a PC over level 6, you'll find the game will have less of a challenge. For the purposes of testing, I used a PC that began at level 4. He had no gold and no weapons, only a set of scale mail armor. But it didn't take long to raise enough gold to buy his first weapon and continue on. There are two merchants in town, but their selection is limited. Potions are available from the towns church. Between the two, there are enough supplies to make it through the game. Navigating your way around is smooth and easy to do. The sets are small and I found just using the mini-map enough to aid in my travels. You can play, using only your PC, or you can have one party member. One you will meet one possible member right away, and the other possible member, you'll meet shortly after. But your allowed only one.
http://www.thieves-guild.net/lurchman/pics/St1.jpg
Combat:
For the most part combat is balanced to your character. But there will be a couple of occasions where you'll find yourself facing a more formidable enemy. For these, you will have to have a few potions to buff yourself up with. These are available fron the town church, or you might find a few in the loot you get. The opponents you will face will be mostly of the humaniod variety, with a few exceptions. Also, I found most of the combat to be melee based, with very little magic used. Traps are frequent, and should watched for.
Scenery:
The scenery was nicely done. A lot of attention was given to making the areas, both inside and out. A wide variety of different sets were used including the town, which borders a lake/sea. There are ruins, caves, a lighthouse, and a harbor with ships at the docks. All of which make for good looking playing areas. I did feel that the village needed a little more detail to make it look "lived in". It looks a little too clean for a small coutry town.
http://www.thieves-guild.net/lurchman/pics/St2.jpg
Dialog:
The dialog is clear and consise. I had no trouble following the plot using the instructions given by the NPC's. Although I felt at times, some of it was a little over the top and really didn't lend anything to the story. But this has no effect on gameplay. I would have like to have seen a little more dialog that gives you a good background story, from which can be built on. A couple of things in the game your left wondering why, and what's next.
Music:
The music is standard NWN2 music. But was well edited into the story.
Wrap up:
Despite some rough edges, I liked the mod. And for a first time modder, she has done a really good job. I hope to see more from Pella, and I expect to see bigger and better mods from her in the future.
Score: 7 out of 10.
Reviewed by Lurchman 12/17/07