Also on: Xbox One, and PC
July 18, 2016
Neverwinter Online has finally came out for PS4! The overly addicting action-rpg from back in 2013 on PC, is now on PS4 as a free to play, without PS+ required. This also applies to the Xbox One, and PC versions of the game respectfully. We were given a chance to peer at the game early on the Ps4, to see the console port in action. Off the bat we had a few issues, but that will be gone over shortly. We have had some time to access Neverwinter in the past of it’s original release. For the most part, it was addicting and a blast to play. They brought the awesome PC experience to to the Xbox one, back in 3.31.2015. It since had some mixed criticism. Now that they released Neverwinter on PS4, I have gotten super excited. Because, a ton of friends I know do not have beefy, or even moderate computers to play with. Making it all null and void. One thing I do know is they had a PS4 at least.
Graphically, the game has a clean look. The PC port manages this just about, with safe cut backs for better optimization. Visuals like spells or attacks are displayed in awesome execution. We had a few hick ups, such as video freezing, causing us to reboot an event, like dragon slaying, or dungeon short to dashboard and hope for our spot to be there if possible. Character design, for the most part look great. Showing a cartoon liveliness within cut-scenes or idle in town. All of which of its PC side a stand out for lovely visuals. Sound also is a keen thing that stood out. Applying the right tone for the right time frame of occurrence. At points within a giant(as in the creature) dungeon I ran into, sometimes the audio just cut out, but this was only during a boss battle, even then its mostly visual cues to be worried about.
Controls and gameplay are the most important thing for a game period, Hands down. Otherwise visuals can look life like and it would mean jack and you-know-what. A transition from a mouse and keyboard from my time on the PC Port , did not feel too bad at all. The game itself handles more action like. So, using a KB+M combo usually is null for me , if I plan a action based title. But for the most part, it was comfortable for this game, to use the said usual PC meta(I still use a Gamepad on PC, so there). It felt like nothing changed, in terms of quality of the progression of the game. They did seem to slide in ounces of more content , since my last entry into the game, making the leveling between areas a lot less annoying to grind. Never for perhaps two or so hours , you spend in zones doing tasks, for pleading Neverwinter residence in need of a hero/heroine. The few issues I had with the game, was its menu controls. Not talking about the options to menu or the L1 to shortcuts to my bag to get items, or access my map. Those two parts are fine, it is the touchscreen. The touchscreen itself acts like another shortcut you can program to the L1 respectfully. Sadly the touchpad acts overly sensitive. Even with the lightest thumb touch, even if you’re not even intending to use the thing, to do any of the swipe shortcuts. During times of great immersion of combat, I would have my prayer chart pop up. Covering my screen to my vocal rage. Luckily, I am able to get out of it fast enough to not die, but for others, they might not be as nimble. The idea itself is cool and uses the consoles tech in a clever way but sadly, the controller does not like to be tickled. Alias.
Finally, I wanted to cover the end game of sorts, that stretch from 60 through 70. I recall before how brutal it was. However, as I say, that they seemed to apply a TON of grind-able quests that are simple to do and quick(except that damn 400+ enemy slaying one, argghh). The content I am referring to, is in the Drowning Shore. Apart of the Elemental Evil campaign. This said line, was perhaps my favorite. Due to the colorful characters and over the top not-take-it-self-seriously attitude. This lime. (accessible past level 60) is a pleasure cruise. You get welcomed to a alive story, that shows cut scenes and personalities that are both wacky and cool. Along with this, you can farm many currencies to purchase things, like weapons or materials for enhancing and the lot. But I do not want to sit here all day explaining it all. We were given the 20 dollar early access bundle, to sample the game on the PS4. The contents within the ONYX head start pack, were quite hefty. The list of items were:
– Onyx Weapon transmute
– Onyx Horse mount with 50% speed boost and 2 insignia slots
– Character Title: “The Onyx Adorned”
– 20 Enchanted Keys
– A powerful Graycloak Legacy class weapon
– 1 Greater Stone of Health
– 1 Adventurer’s XP Booster
– 5 x Scroll of Mass Life
– 5 x Portable Altar
– 10 x Greater Scroll of Identification
– 5 x Arcana Kit
– 5 x Dungeoneering Kit
– 5 x Nature Kit
– 5 x Religion Kit
– 5 x Thievery Kit’
As you can see, quite a bit to get you running on the trail to 70. I ended up blasting through the 20 enchanted keys in a form of key slot machines. Having the worst of luck, trying to score the prized rare Plated Griffon Mount. Maybe some day, if I farm enough astral diamonds to convert into Z coins. Speaking of that, the nice feature to this game is you can almost farm every thing cash shop wise. By just selling items on the auction house, for Astral Diamond profit. That being the main currency between players rather then Gold, just being used for vendors to buy potions or materials for the most part.
In Closing:
It is the step in the right direction, in terms of more free to play AAA RPGs out there for the PS4, and Xbox One. It is a blast to play, whether you enjoy to play with others or just solo the whole game (exception to doing dungeons, those require others.) It is free to download and play. What is there to loose, other then your free time perhaps?! The playtime for all of this, was a ton of time spent questing for three days. So, a good amount of time between resting and breaks. The end game content I am still blasting through. I found the Ps4 port, to be next to the PC in being some of the best ports to the game by far. Aside from my gripe, with accessing a few hub items, with the touch screen. To answer the most common question I received during a live stream or two: No, the game does not have Keyboard and mouse support on PS4. Character and navigating around the many landscapes handles great, just its menu/hub system issues I mentioned are to be desired.
Download the game today by supporting Cryptic games. Or purchase many of their pretty nifty, but hefty DLC bundles too! Otherwise it is free to play from 1-70. No pay walls.
Neverwinter is a free-to-play action MMORPG that features fast-paced combat and epic dungeons. Players explore the vast city of Neverwinter and its surrounding countryside, learning the vivid history of the iconic city in the Forgotten Realms and battling its many enemies. Neverwinter is currently available on PC and is free to play digitally on Xbox One with Gold from the Xbox Games Store. The game will also be free to play on PlayStation®4 beginning July 19 (PlayStation®Plus not required).
For more information about Neverwinter, visit its PS4 store page @ NeverwinteronPS4.
