In the realm of classic role-playing games, Beamdog has successfully redefined beloved titles such as Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2, Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights 1, establishing them as the definitive editions for modern gamers. However, a couple of notable entries remain absent from this enhanced collection: Icewind Dale 2 and Neverwinter Nights 2.
The Hope for Neverwinter Nights 2
The prospects for a remaster of Icewind Dale 2 appear bleak, primarily due to the elusive nature of its source code. Yet, a recent addition to SteamDB, highlighted on Reddit, has sparked optimism regarding the potential re-release of Obsidian Entertainment’s Neverwinter Nights 2. This title has long been ensnared in a web of licensing rights issues, leaving fans in a state of uncertainty.
According to the latest information, significant upscaling work has been completed on the game’s textures, ensuring they are compatible with contemporary displays. Furthermore, it seems that this re-release will include all the expansions associated with the game: Storm of Zehir, Mask of the Betrayer, and Mysteries of Westgate.
While the End User License Agreement (EULA) associated with this package only references Aspyr, it is reasonable to speculate that the company may have entrusted the remastering efforts to Beamdog, which it acquired in 2022. If this assumption holds true, it is certainly an exciting development for fans of the franchise. Beamdog has a proven track record of delivering high-quality enhancements for classic games, and many players, including myself, have been eager to revisit NWN2, particularly the expansion Mask of the Betrayer.
With these developments on the horizon, the gaming community is left anticipating the chance to experience these cherished classics anew, potentially in the very near future.
