Morrowind / NWN Comparison

The Stratos Group’s E3 coverage has expanded, with an addition of a Neverwinter Nights & Morrowind preview/comparison [archive.org backup]. Basically, the article takes the finest points of both games (such as graphics, their editors, gameplay, and more) and ranks them. Here’s one of the comparisons to get you started:

Neverwinter Nights: Neverwinter Nights is, as you may expect, based heavily on D&D, and it is that basis that may very well make or break this game for many people. If you are a fan of D&D, pen and paper gaming, then you should have a good idea of what to expect, only, unlike any other computer based role playing game, Neverwinter Nights will actually let you interact with your in-game DM and play just as you would if you were still using pen and paper, as much as possible. To be honest, this advancement in computer-based RPG games is nothing short of dramatic. If, on the other hand, you do not like this idea, then you will be far more suited to Morrowind.

Morrowind: As stated above, Morrowind will have a very dynamic world. The main campaign, as with the Neverwinter Nights campaign that is included in the box, will focus on a long single player mission where your actions will have an affect on the world around you. And, while this is true for Neverwinter Nights, it appears to be even truer with Morrowind. Instead of having NPCs that have a basic pre-disposition toward you that does not change, unless scripted to change, Morrowind has implemented a persuasion system wherein you may bribe NPCs while speaking with them in order to get information from them. In addition, dialogue will be databased, though I am unsure as to how this will be accomplished. Regardless, they mentioned that NPCs will be able to talk about events that are taking place in the area intelligibly, and, combined with that and the persuasion system, interact with you in a more lifelike manner.