Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir hits store shelves. Trailers and interview videos

Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir Expansion Pack for PCLots of PC Expansion Packs just hit store shelves, including Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir, which just released yesterday, November 18th, for the PC.

There have been several interesting blogs posted by the developers of the game, particularly this one about Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir’s orchestral musical score. So be sure to check those out.

About the game:
In the aftermath of the defeat of the King of Shadows, the Sword Coast is in the midst of an uneasy economic recovery. Trade syndicates have sprung up to exploit the post-war confusion for their own ends and the players’ party will wade into this uncertain environment. In order to increase their own fortunes, they can either ally with a syndicate to create a trade empire, or cut their own path through Faerun by preying upon caravans and selling the goods on the black market. As they attempt to extend their influence, players will become aware of a new faction working behind the scenes: the evil, shape-shifting, serpentine Yuan-Ti.

In addition to trading and economic manipulation, the Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir Overland Map allows players to explore the Chultan Peninsula and Sword Coast in a non-linear manner never before seen in any of the Neverwinter Nights games. Exploration will take players from well-known locations, like Neverwinter and Crossroad Keep, to more exotic areas, such as the xenophobic jungle nation of Samarach. Groups of highwaymen and monsters populate the Overland Map and the farther from civilization the player roams, the more difficult the encounters become. The 15-hour campaign in Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir is also packed with new classes, spells, creatures, and playable races.

Key Features of Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir include:
* Travel the Sword Coast and Samarach using the open-ended exploration of the new Overland Map. Use skills like Spot and Survival while on the Overland Map to avoid ambushes and even find hidden locales and lost artifacts
* Create your own full party of adventurers. Devastate your foes with a squad of fireball-flinging Sorcerers, form a solid wall of steel with a party of Fighters, or strike the perfect balance in your party by spreading out the classes you choose for your characters
* Improved party gameplay including streamlined party conversations, a new Teamwork Benefit System, and powerful party feats
* The world’s economy reacts to your adventures and choices. And, through trading and quests, you can expand your merchant company into a massive trading empire

Last but not least, here is a developer interview from E3 2008.