HotU, or SoU, as well?

[fable]

Just that. I've got both expansions, but never played them. I did play the singleplayer campaign in NWN when it first came out and quit midway, because the plot was incredibly hackneyed, the writing dull, the use of character options limited, and the whole thing insanely repetitive.

(This is entirely apart from the fact that Bioware decided to improve on allowing us full control over party members in their earlier games, by providing us with henchmen who make their own decisions to get lost, not come to our aid, etc.)

I didn't really like it too much.

But I hear that HotU is much better. Question is, will SoU play more like NWN, or HotU?

[Magrus]

I personally have never gone far in SOU. I enjoy a good challenge, but I also play games to relax. Frustrating puzzles that lead to my having to hit "respawn" constantly in order to get by them when attempting to relax just ruin the experience for me. I hit one of those, and decided to just move on to HoTU, which I found to be fun, but...is another game I lost interest in, and never actually got more than half-way through it.

You can bring your character from SoU into HoTU though, so if you try out the SoU game, and like it, you may want to bring your old character through into the next expansion. I think the main thing is, it plays more like NWN, and not HoTU. At least IMO from what I saw briefly of it.

[dragon wench]

lol Fable! You too? It's an epidemic!

I have recently started SoU, and so far I prefer it to the original campaign (which I never finished either). There are numerous puzzles and there is also more interaction with the henchmen, or at least (up to this point) their stories have more depth. Plus, they interject and talk to you, so it feels a bit more like BG2. It's not as good as BG2.. but, in my books anyway, it's certainly better than NWN itself.
My challenge, however, is to not get into HOTU first, because from everything I have gleaned thus far, it seems very good.

Also, you can equip your henchmen in the expansions and have some control over the direction in which you take their training. The AI does appear to be improved, but I have not played enough yet to really tell for sure.

[fable]

So, one vote for SoU with HotU, and one vote for HotU alone. Perhaps I should have made this a poll thread. As it would have been a particularly stupid one, it would have fit in alongside so many other poll threads.

DW, you haven't played HotU, yet? Because I hear it avoids the usual mindnumbingly unimaginative quests and encounters. (It's actually commented upon in one or two other threads, but there's clearly no consensus.) On the other hand, I do tend to prefer RPGs that are less "my nuke is higher than your nuke" games, with far lower characters. But it's of less importance than good writing and original ideas.

[dragon wench]

DW, you haven't played HotU, yet? Because I hear it avoids the usual mindnumbingly unimaginative quests and encounters. On the other hand, I do tend to prefer RPGs that are less "my nuke is higher than your nuke" games, with far lower characters. But it's of less importance than good writing and original ideas.

No I haven't played it yet. I only just picked up the Diamond Edition last weekend. I decided to play SoU first because I had heard HoTU was better, plus there is apparently some minor continuity between the two stories.

As I said, so far I have found SoU to be more interesting than NWN, and to this point the quests seem relatively varied. I've also observed that the writing seems to be of a somewhat higher calibre than NWN. Though, bear in mind, I'm only midway through the first chapter.

If you prefer role playing and more interesting dialogue/quest resolutions I'd highly recommend pumping up your persuade skills. I've noted that high wisdom seems to make some difference as well. I've experimented with two different characters, a druid and a sorcerer. I'm finding I actually prefer the former for role playing, plus they have made druids much more interesting in the NWN series (one thing they did better than in BG2, IMO)

[fable]

Good point about persuade skills; and if I play a sorc, I'll of course pump up charisma, as well. That might help. Wisdom is probably a good choice, too.

Regarding druids, I think there was a major shift in the rules set between the BG series and NWN, which accounts in part for the changes. Good thing, too, since following that rules set for druids in BG2 meant a very underpowered PC, IMO. I like the idea of talking to animals, but that could just be the witch in me. We'll see. Still not sure whether to go with SoU, first. Faust, who used to post so often and sensibly in this forum, really lowered the boom on SoU, which he found far more tedious than NWN itself. As I couldn't stand NWN...but on the other hand, you do like SoU, so far.

[dragon wench]

Regarding druids, I think there was a major shift in the rules set between the BG series and NWN, which accounts in part for the changes. Good thing, too, since following that rules set for druids in BG2 meant a very underpowered PC, IMO. I like the idea of talking to animals, but that could just be the witch in me. We'll see. Still not sure whether to go with SoU, first. Faust, who used to post so often and sensibly in this forum, really lowered the boom on SoU, which he found far more tedious than NWN itself. As I couldn't stand NWN...but on the other hand, you do like SoU, so far.

I am really enjoying talking to the animals. I spoke with bats in a tomb and I found the conversation added quite a lot of depth.
Indeed... I am not a power player, but even I found druids in BG2 lacked substance, and they were boring to play (IMO). But, in addition to having more oomph and better spells in NWN, you, of course, can choose an animal companion, which is kind of fun.
I guess I am coming at it from this angle. It is several years since I tried NWN, and I ended up feeling really let down by it after BG2 and PS:T. Now, I have considerably lowered expectations, so I'm finding some of the improvements a pleasant surprise. Also, as you know, I've spent a lot of time playing Morrowind... so comparisons are inevitable. I am finding it a relief to play a game where I can put the settings up to maximum and not have it stall, squawk and grind to a slow halt about every 30 minutes. And, I am finding that NPC interaction is more varied and interesting than in (vanilla) Morrowind.
So... all of that being the case, my opinion of SoU is (thus far) more favourable than it might have been under different circumstances. If that makes sense? My suggestion, create a character in SoU and see how you find it. The game moves fairly quickly, so you should get an idea after just a few hours. If you don't like it, then simply abandon ship and move to HoTU. Just a thought anyway.

[fable]

I am really enjoying talking to the animals. I spoke with bats in a tomb and I found the conversation added quite a lot of depth.

Does HotU add a druid henchman? I'm thinking you could use him/her as a way of triggering animal conversations, then.

So... all of that being the case, my opinion of SoU is (thus far) more favourable than it might have been under different circumstances. If that makes sense? My suggestion, create a character in SoU and see how you find it. The game moves fairly quickly, so you should get an idea after just a few hours. If you don't like it, then just move to HoTU. Just a thought anyway.

You've definitely moved me a notch closer to playing SoU, as well.

[dragon wench]

Does HotU add a druid henchman? I'm thinking you could use him/her as a way of triggering animal conversations, then.

You've definitely moved me a notch closer to playing SoU, as well.

Not as far as I know, but I have not gotten there yet... Others here should be able to shed more insight.
Speaking of henchmen, though, if you do play SoU, I'd recommend the half orc barbarian/sorcerer over the cleric/thief. I've tried both, and so far I find Xanos the more interesting of the two (in terms of background story and interjections). However, he reminds me a little of Edwin... and I seem to recall you don't care for him very much.

I don't know that you'd like SoU... and my present reasons for playing it are fairly particular But.. if you give it an initial try, it won't take up a ton of time.

[Siberys]

I haven't played SOU all the way through, but I will say that (From what I've heard, meaning not reviewers, more like my brother and friends) that SOU and HoTU together have quite a good storyline all things considered.

But like I said, *I* haven't actually played SOU all the way through, mainly because I can't get past the first part....bloody kobolds.

[fable]

But like I said, *I* haven't actually played SOU all the way through, mainly because I can't get past the first part....bloody kobolds.

How do you mean? Are there too many? Are they too tough? Do they approach you and ask if you've read your bible today? What's the problem?

[Siberys]

Too tough a bit, but that's prolly because I always play mages.

[mr_sir]

Too tough a bit, but that's prolly because I always play mages.

I get past the early kobolds by using summons or a henchman, or using magic missile if a sorceror as you can cast it over and over again. Also, running away is a good tactic early on. Once you get to level 3 or 4 though, the kobolds become really easy. Its just the first few at level 1/2 that are tough as a mage/sorceror if you don't use summons or henchman.

Personally I like SoU as I like to build up a character and take it into HotU. HotU is the better of the two expansions but I think both are far better than the OC. I quite like the story in SoU too, plus the areas are a bit more varied than in the OC. HotU is great, but I don't like Chapter 3 in it. I find it gets a bit boring. Chapter 1 and 2 are quite a lot of fun though

[Xandax]

If you haven't played SoU but have the chance to, then I'd advice you to do so - it is definately much harder then the Original Campaign NwN and HOTU (especially if starting as a soft class) and the story is ...well, as stories go, but it is made more RPGish then the OC and it is overall much better. But it is harder.

SOU is also fun because of Deekin (love the little critter, most fun NPC in the game)

Storywise, then you do not need to play it for HOTU as there is only few links between the two.