Neverwinter
- December 5, 2013
- Cryptic Studios
- 11h median play time
An MMO with fast, satisfying combat and a great example of a free-to-play model. Some minor performance problems pop up, but overall it's a very fun gaming experience solo or with others.
Get on Steam
Get on Epic Games Store
Get on PS StoreNeverwinter is a fantasy role-playing game that offers a variety of gameplay options. Players can choose to experience the game in single-player mode or party up with others for co-op or multi-player adventures. The game also features PvP modes and is regularly updated with new content, providing a vast and dynamic world to explore. Drawing from the rich lore of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise, Neverwinter delivers action-packed combat and epic quests in a stunning online world.
Web Browser
Windows
Cloud
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Reviews
- The game features great combat mechanics and fluid controls, making battles enjoyable and dynamic.
- It offers a vast amount of PVE content, including numerous zones, dungeons, and bosses, which keeps the gameplay engaging.
- The game is free to play and has a friendly community, making it accessible for new players.
- The game has a significant pay-to-win aspect, especially in PVP, which can ruin the experience for many players.
- Players often face high latency issues and server problems, making the game less enjoyable, particularly for those outside of North America.
- The grind for in-game currency and resources can be tedious, and the game is heavily gated by daily quests, limiting progression.
- story13 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, featuring engaging plotlines and enjoyable quests that enhance the overall experience, particularly when players immerse themselves in the narrative and collaborate with others. However, some users express disappointment with user-generated quests and the removal of rewards from certain quest types, which detracts from their enjoyment. Overall, the storyline is considered entertaining and enriched by contributions from notable writers, making it a memorable aspect of the game.
“It's not difficult to play, deep plot lines, and never-ending quests (which is good in my books).”
“If you actually get into the storyline during your adventures, find friends or a guild, and this game will deliver the D&D experience.”
“Neverwinter is the game that will always be remembered by its impressive game mechanics and interesting story plots.”
“The user-generated quests got me excited only to be majorly let down by the game and by the support team that is supposed to cover the game.”
“The foundry quests are pointless as they took away all of the rewards, which is sad because those are some of the best quests in the game.”
“If you actually get into the storyline during your adventures, find friends or a guild, this game will deliver the D&D experience.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Gameplay in this game features engaging combat mechanics that allow for diverse class roles in group settings, though some players feel it has become less enjoyable over time, particularly in Europe. While it offers a unique take on leveling mechanics, it diverges from traditional D&D gameplay, leading to mixed opinions on its design. Additionally, players criticize the graphics and the presence of time-gating and grinding elements, which can detract from the overall experience.
“Great combat mechanics: most classes are fun to learn and have a real role in group situations.”
“Neverwinter is the game that will always be remembered by its impressive game mechanics and interesting story plots.”
“A disclaimer - it's a game set in the Forgotten Realms universe, but don't expect D&D-like gameplay.”
“After some years, this game is much less playable than before. If you are from Europe, it's a waste of time even downloading it. Better to spend time on alternative games that care about gameplay quality.”
“It's not the D&D experience with a d20, but rather 'new' mechanics to level the playing field between a level 1 wizard and a level 1 warrior. I can't say I agree with it, but it's a necessary evil if you want an MMORPG/F2P game to succeed.”
“A ton of currencies, broken mechanics, lots of farming, and incredibly low drop rates.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players noting that they are above average while others criticize them as outdated and poorly optimized, reminiscent of earlier titles. Despite some appealing visuals, many feel the graphics detract from the overall experience, especially when compared to contemporary standards. Overall, the graphics seem to be a significant point of contention among players.
“Graphics are above average.”
“Nice graphics.”
“The game graphics-wise are a little seedy, and the questing and content may be a little mediocre, but it makes up for it with the combat system.”
“Graphics are so awful the designer is completely blind, and gameplay looks stolen from Dark Souls.”
“Outdated graphics - we're in 2017, yet graphics sometimes feel like a 2012 game.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users labeling it as one of the worst in recent memory. Many report severe performance issues, including crashes and poor graphics optimization, even after hardware upgrades, leading to a frustrating experience overall.
“I'd been having serious performance issues with this game since I upgraded my video card.”
“The optimization of this game will go down in history as the worst; the PC ports of other games run better than this, and they weren't even meant for the PC.”
“The 30 hours I have logged were back around the release of the game before it hit Steam. Back then, its only problem was poor graphics optimization that caused, you guessed it, big crashes.”
“Unfortunately, now it's just an unoptimized turd in the punch bowl.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and repetitive, often requiring significant time investment or financial expenditure to progress, especially at endgame. Many express frustration with the reliance on various currencies and low drop rates, suggesting that the grind can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, while some appreciate the solo-friendly nature, the grind may deter new players from fully engaging with the content.
“I loved this game a lot, but over time it gets so grindy and not worth it. Everything is just zen/astral diamond based. If you don't have any of these, you'll be doing the same stuff over and over again until you get some ad, and then gain a few stat increases on your gear. The same sh repeats over and over again. I would rather play Elder Scrolls Online. Just a tip for someone who was about to start playing Neverwinter: just don't... don't do that... pure waste of time and a good mod.”
“It's pretty fun to play, altogether solo-friendly if you prefer that, but forget endgame if you're not willing to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars, or even more hours on arcane farming and grinding strategies to get endgame gear.”
“A ton of currencies, broken mechanics, lots of farming, and incredibly low drop rates.”
- music4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed feedback, with some users criticizing the trailer's music while praising the in-game tracks for enhancing the atmosphere without being intrusive. Overall, the background music is considered pleasant and fitting for various environments, even if it doesn't play a central role in the MMO experience.
“Whether you're in the heart of Neverwinter, traversing the Underdark, or purging the Dread Ring of the undead, you'll always be accompanied by really nice tunes.”
“What's with the awful music for that trailer?”
“It's an MMO, so obviously music does not play that big of a role, but the tracks playing in the background do not disturb you.”
“The music is forgettable and fails to enhance the overall experience.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization in the game is criticized as predatory, with players needing to spend significant amounts—up to $1500—on microtransactions to remain competitive, leading to perceptions of the game as a cash grab rather than a fair experience.
“The microtransactions have become genuinely predatory, and the game is no longer worth trying to get into.”
“Now a total cash grab; don't expect to be in a great PvP setting without spending at least $1500 on gems, artifacts, and the whole lot to be anywhere near top tier!”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its quality and depth, providing a well-crafted experience. However, some players note that the benefits gained from campaigns can also lead to unintended negative consequences, adding complexity to character progression.
“Character development is really well made.”
“The boons from campaigns are a double-edged sword.”
“- Character development (sad part) - Boons from campaigns are a double-edged sword.”
“- Character development (sad part) - The characters feel one-dimensional and lack meaningful growth.”
“- Character development (sad part) - There are missed opportunities for deeper backstories and interactions.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is generally appreciated for its charm, though some users note a somewhat clunky experience while navigating the city.
“The atmosphere is captivating, immersing you in a world that feels alive and vibrant.”
“The game's atmosphere is rich and detailed, making every location feel unique and engaging.”
“There's a haunting beauty to the atmosphere that draws you in and keeps you on edge.”
Critic Reviews
Neverwinter Review
Neverwinter isn’t going to be that game that pulls me into the MMO world, but it did a damn better job than many other MMO’s out there. The setting is interesting enough and the combat slightly engaging which makes it worth giving a try, but it’s going to be the Foundry that keeps players going.
70%The daily grind: Neverwinter review
There are a lot of small things to nitpick about Neverwinter, but the overall experience is something more than worthy of its exceedingly fair price point. The combat may not be particularly skill based, but there's something very tranquil about doing quests at your leisure, managing your loadouts/inventory, or even just chatting it up with some friends you've made through guilds or questing. Despite the steep early game learning curve, Neverwinter has something for everyone. Whether you're a veteran or you're like me and this is essentially your "baby's first MMO", this game has an undeniable magnetism that just keeps pulling you back in. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to grinding and donating to my guild.
70%All by myself -- Neverwinter on Xbox One review
Neverwinter fails to nail the social aspects and adapt to consoles effectively, but it’s still a great solo experience. A solid F2P loot-grind with D&D flavor, but it lacks the social aspects that highlight the MMO genre elsewhere.
75%
