What is this game about ?

[Jaguar Sprint]

Ive heard of it a lot, and it looks kind of interesting, but I genuinely dont understand the core of this game. Would it be fun with a friend/2 ? Should I get the sequel instead ?

[DrLoboto]

It's a fantasy RPG based on (an older but popular version of) the pen & paper / tabletop rule system Dungeons and Dragons. The combat plays out in real-time, yet relies on turns and dice throws in the background, so knowledgw of the rules is more important than player reflexes.

There are lots of different character classes to try, and you can even combine some by multiclassing, and you can build them how you like, distribute skill points, pick feats etc. however you like, which is one of the reasons why the game is so popular. You can also mod the game heavily.

Each player controls one character, though you can team up with others, either controlled by (bad) AI, or other players, so yes, it is fun to play co-op (provided you like the general gameplay). Check out some gameplay video in YT to see if it might be your cup of tea.

What's special about Neverwinter Night is that it also comes with a toolset that allows players to create their own adventures, campaigns or even online worlds for other players to enjoy, and it has a history of 20+ years of prolific modding. So apart from all the official content that's included, there are also plenty of free single and/or multiplayer stories to play through, or you can just join player-made mini-MMOs and team up with others to beat dungeons and bosses or just roleplay with other players (talking in-character), whatever floats your boat.

The sequel is similar, but the question of NWN vs. NWN2 is a hot, somewhat controversial topic. Some see the sequel as a step up, others as a step down from the original, and the truth is probably somewhere in between. It is a matter of taste and preference, about what aspects you put more store in.

E.g. NWN2 allows you to control a full party, not just one character plus AI companions, it allows modders to freely sculpt outdoor terrain instead of using a construction kit of pre-made tiles, UI elements are more flexible, and the graphics are less blocky. On the downside, the toolset is less beginner-friendly, so there are fewer player-made adventures available for it, plus some say that the multiplayer, camera control, animations and effects are much worse in the sequel etc. YMMV.

The sequel is not available on Steam though, currently you can only get it from GOG, and it never got an Enhanced Edition (both are unlikely to change in the near future or at all).