I've never played this game, how does it compare to Dragon Age: Origins?

[JKeift]

I loved DA:O but I'm not sure if this game is in any way similar.

[BenPerkins]

It has a more supportive community, custom modules & online servers available. Don’t just play the campaign - check out some of the servers that are available in the game

[Letobrick]

Dragon Age Origins is definitely more beginner friendly to the CRPG genre. NWN follows the D&D ruleset (3rd edtition) if you're into D&D roleplaying games. DA:O has very good production values with an engaging story, memorable characters and extensive voice acting. You won't find NWN to be similar in that regard (older graphics, less flashy, less voice acting and alot more text reading, more clunky UI, etc.). You would be best to go with the Witcher series or Dragon age sequels if you want something in a similar genre. But as the above poster mentioned, you will be rewarded with the community producing a neverending amount of additional content. Unlike Dragon Age, you also get online multiplayer with persistent servers.

[Tesseract]

I got the impression that DA:O was heavily inspired by NWN or at least by D&D in general. A number of the spells are even identical. This is an older game, so expect it to be less technically impressive, but it has a lot more depth to the combat. (And way, way more spells especially if you're a wizard.)

So quite different games in many ways, and yet you'll probably find it familiar too.

[Strikeclone]

the reason NWN is still around is the many PW it has spawned. Most are roleplay based, but there are others of a more "adult" nature or "pvp" nature and more.

And as others have said if you are a D&D fan then the solo campaigns are fun.

[Proleric]

DA:O was good, but NWN has vastly more monsters, special abilities, spells etc than DA:O, so gameplay is much more interesting in the long run.

The rules are more detailed, so you can really go to town on finessing your character build and kit if you like, or play through on a standard package if you prefer simplicity.

Combat in NWN is less clunky IMO, though DA:O gave you more control over companions, and it had some very well designed battles.

The biggest win for NWN is the wealth of excellent custom modules. Those for solo players tend to top the download charts, as it happens, but as you can see there is also a thriving PW scene. Something for everyone.

[Shia Luck]

DA:O was 7 years in development.

It was Bioware's 'new' NWN, not tied to WotSC or Atari, but their own IP. It even had fully functional multiplayer built in on release (but hidden cos EA had just bought Bioware!) Some coders found it and released it as a free mod on the bioware social site but EA closed that down. Given how they made Mass effect and DA MP later it's not hard to guess why they didnt want free MP, free PWs and free content made by the community.

So NWN was the precursor. Unlike DA:O it doesn't have modern graphics, and the ruleset is somewhat different (more open actually, more choices in how to build your character and more non sensical rules but that's part of it's charm too *grin*)

More importantly there's hundreds of free adventures on neverwintervault (that you would be happy to pay money for), some even AAA quality, some became novels, and they cover every possible concept, not 'just' a fantasy world with rich Lore and history and a myriad stories to explore. Some are puzzle, some detective, some hack'n'slash, some RP, some class orientated... I could go on and on listing genres (most are DND/DA tho, it's a dice rolling RPG, no?)

And then there's the online PWs , (the original MMORPG b4 the term was invented) 15+ years of constantly improving and making the impossible happen in some cases.

So, similar? Yes. And better too in many ways.

Have fun :)