An Exclusive Sneak Peek: Hands-On with Neverwinter Spelljammer

Article Key Points

Introducing an innovative science fiction element into the Neverwinter MMORPG, Spelljammer transports players on an exciting journey through the cosmos aboard the Moondancer spaceship, immersing them in a captivating science fiction story revolving around the Xaryxian Empire and celestial seeds.

The module showcases the fascination of exploring space through its varied landing sites, which encompass a perpetually dark desert world and a vibrant jungle world. Each location is characterized by unique environments and variations in gravity.

In Spelljammer, the primary gameplay revolves around a dynamic invasion mechanic that keeps the pace exciting. Players work together to construct progress towards timed invasions, which present formidable challenges. Succeeding in these invasions rewards players with the necessary currency to advance the storyline, resulting in an enjoyable and immersive gameplay experience.

Neverwinter, the free-to-play MMORPG, is taking players on an exciting journey with its latest module, Spelljammer. This sci-fi twist on Dungeons & Dragons allows players to explore space aboard the spelljammer vessel, the Moondancer. The adventure begins when a mysterious crystal crashes into the Neverwinter Outskirts, leading players on an interstellar quest unlike any other in the game's history. Our website had a sneak peek at the Spelljammer module before its release, where we explored diverse locations and faced off against both familiar and new enemies. We also experienced the core gameplay loop of Spelljammer, where players work together to progress and prepare for challenging timed invasions.

Spelljammer Features A Compelling Sci-Fi Narrative

The Spelljammer storyline revolves around the Xaryxian Empire, a society that harnesses energy from its star, Xaryxis, to power their magical abilities. Unfortunately, the star's power has diminished due to the astral elves' exploitation. To restore Xaryxis, Prince Xeleth of the Xaryxian Empire infects planets with crystalline astral seeds, draining their life energy to rejuvenate the dying star. One of these astral seeds has struck Neverwinter's world, drawing players into the unfolding events.

Teaming up with Princess Zedalli, Xeleth's brother, players embark on a mission to overthrow Xaryxis and secure rulership of the Empire. By assembling a united alliance of like-minded factions across the galaxy, they aim to save countless worlds from destruction caused by the astral seeds. The high stakes from the beginning of the adventure make every landing site visit feel crucial to the plot.

Spelljammer Captures The Wonder Of Space Exploration

Spelljammer offers a fresh approach compared to previous Neverwinter modules. Instead of a few large open-world areas, the module features multiple smaller yet diverse environments known as "landing sites." The art team has done an exceptional job in crafting unique and captivating landing sites. Our journey begins in Remichi, a desolate desert world devoid of any nearby stars. Its inhabitants are ethereal beings who have transcended physical forms. We then venture to Beloria, a vibrant jungle world adorned with lush plants and water bodies. A fascinating detail we discovered is that some asteroid worlds have varying degrees of gravity, greatly influencing our jumping abilities.

Throughout the quest line, there is a hint of resemblance to the Mass Effect series. Players are assigned the task of visiting each world and persuading the locals to join forces against an interstellar threat. The addition of various races joining us aboard the Moondancer as we accomplish their missions adds a nice touch to the experience. For fans eagerly anticipating Baldur's Gate 3, encountering ilithid mindflayers, intellect devourers, and Gith during our adventure was an exciting treat.

The Core Gameplay Loop In Spelljammer Is Fast-Paced

After a series of quests that introduce some of the main locations in Spelljammer, players become engaged in the module's core gameplay loop which involves an invasion mechanic. As players defeat enemies, complete quests, and participate in other activities across Wildspace, progress is made on an invasion meter. Eventually, a time-limited invasion is unlocked and all players are notified of the event. Invasions are challenging landing sites designed for groups of players and include boss fights similar to Mog'dorath and Garyx from Neverwinter's Avernus module. Completing invasions grants a currency necessary to advance the plot, so players should prioritize participating whenever possible.

Due to the limited nature of our preview, there were not many players available to help progress these invasions. However, we anticipate that once the module is live, progress will be much faster. In the meantime, players can engage in repeatable versions of earlier story quests and more challenging heroic encounters to help build up the invasion meter. Overall, the gameplay loop is fast-paced and the grind is made enjoyable thanks to Neverwinter's already-fun combat and the fantastic world design of Spelljammer.

Neverwinter is an MMORPG developed by Cryptic Studios. Drawing inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons, this game is set in the Faerun continent, renowned for its rich lore in the Forgotten Realms. Offering an exciting experience for RPG enthusiasts, Neverwinter is a free-to-play game that encompasses all the elements of a classic adventure. From engaging class-based combat to captivating storylines, players can also delve into thrilling PVP game modes.

Platform(s) PC, PS4, Xbox OneReleased June 20, 2013Developer(s) Cryptic StudiosPublisher(s) Perfect World Entertainment, Gearbox PublishingGenre(s) MMORPG

Editor's P/S

Spelljammer is a thrilling sci-fi adventure that takes players on a high-stakes journey through multiple planets. The module showcases the fascination of exploring space through its varied landing sites, which encompass a perpetually dark desert world and a vibrant jungle world. Each location is characterized by unique environments and variations in gravity.

In Spelljammer, the primary gameplay revolves around a dynamic invasion mechanic that keeps the pace exciting. Players work together to construct progress towards timed invasions, which present formidable challenges. Succeeding in these invasions rewards players with the necessary currency to advance the storyline, resulting in an enjoyable and immersive gameplay experience.