I'm playing Neverwinter Nights 2, so I can't speak for the first one. The companions are interesting, but I'm not far enough into the plot to completely review it. The best part is probably all of the DnD classes that were ported almost directly from 3.5. You create a character, choose a race, attributes, skills, feats, etc. just as if you were making one for a DnD campaign. I would prefer 4E, but that's just the one I started with, lol. It plays very similarly to Dragon Age Origins or KoTOR. Conversations have skill checks (usually Diplomacy, Bluff, or Intimidate), and companions lose and gain influence based on your choices. It's pretty great so far, and I'm only eighth level. Only problems are the controls, and the glitches that Obsidian can be expected to leave in. It's quite difficult to move and position during a fight, and sometimes you'll get caught on a piece of scenery and be teleported back thirty feet. Companions seem to have a hard time keeping up. Still, it's very fun.