AL1: Siege of Shadowdale (Canceled Premium Module)

Well polished, and well concieved, this module actually works both single player and multiplayer. While beautifully crafted, both my husband and I have the distinct impression that the cold open this game gives was not intended that way - it seems an intro video or FMV was meant to lead off the story. Despite the cold open, the game rapidly turns into a masterfully crafted story, with many great and subtle nods to the Forgotten Realms - it's clear the writers knew their stuff. I highly recommend this module to anyone.

The following comment is from my Blog, as I just recently completed a fairly detailed five-part recounting of SoS, the first post of which is here: Siege of Shadowdale - Part I of V

Siege of Shadowdale has a few shortcomings, but one has to remember it was made in 2002. For me, this module feels sort of like an experiment, or a showcase/spectacle in some ways, but it has undeniable strengths in the form of its strong Realmslore and Realms-flavored writing that enhance the critical path and six optional quests (all of which are above average).

I would say SoS is an absolute pleasure to read (especially if the player knows their FRCS), but not so much to play - mainly because of the copy-pasta encounters (lacking that handcrafted touch), hardly any skill checks in dialogue (aka no "role-playing"), and the tendency for items and encounters to favor warrior builds (Wizards n Rogues will feel kinda left out). Some players also might not appreciate being "shown up" in a few places by Realms heroes, but others might enjoy rubbing shoulders with them, who knows.. I myself got some laughs out of them, so I don't mind.

Experience points mostly come from progressing in the plot and completing side-quests rather than from killing things. This means the player doesn't have to be overly concerned about experience penalties or vying with NPCs for the kill - just create a character and play. That's not to say tough encounters are non-existent - for new players I highly recommend a "sword n shield" warrior.

Is Siege of Shadowdale a classic, though? For FR fans I would answer yes.

Hi. May I know what the acronym "AL" stands for? Thanks.

This module, if it would be "updated" with the new 1.69 contents, would be really cool. As it is, i think it's too simple. Areas are not very detailed, npc too generic... That sort of things.

After all these years...what a great series- at least so far.  I have just completed Shadowdale and Crimson Tide and I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed both.  Crimson Tide is the better of the two - it is clear to see Alazanders development both in creativity and coding ability.  Along with the Aielund Saga, this may be one of the best cRPGs I have ever played.  And when I say any cRPG, I am including professionally developed stuff.  It may not quite be a BG2 (imho, still the best RPG ever developed), but it has been a lot of fun to play.  All the twist and turns in Crimson Tide keep you guessing right up till the end.  If I have any complaint, it is that the PC was a little overpowered toward the end.  Otherwise a truely great mod though.  I look forward to Tyrants.  I hope it is even half as good.

Classic, and i played it with Zwerkules facelift haks which makes it better experience.

This module is about as basic as they come. The plot is very linear, the characters (including the main character, who is given zero reasons even for being in the city in the first place) are generic, and most of the area design feels uninspired. Despite all that, I did find the module entertaining enough, with some moderately interesting side-quests (all of which are helpfully labeled as "optional") and encounters hitting the sweet spot of "dangerous enough to get you killed, but not frustratingly difficult." I do think that the quest EXP is maybe a little generous--1000 EXP for the first (very basic) quest sets the tone, and it continues from there (to the point where I was level 7 by the end of the game and didn't feel like I had done nearly enough to earn that). I know very little Forgotten Realms lore, so the number of name-drops and cameos was a little obnoxious, but I imagine it was cool for those with that knowledge. A couple of warnings: 1) you don't get a companion for this one, so support classes will find it more difficult (the warning in the description is much-appreciated, as I've found this out the hard way in a few too many modules!); 2) near the end of the game, there's a portal you can enter, but make sure you've completed all the side-quests you intend to before entering it as you will not be able to go back to them afterward.

I wouldn't enthusiastically recommend this one to anyone, but I wouldn't warn anyone against it, either. It's along the lines of the Kingmaker Premium Modules, I think--some interesting stuff, but ultimately flawed...though this one does feel like the story is completed, at least. Crimson Tides of Tethyr is much, much better, and I'd recommend that one to anyone regardless of whether they played this one.

nice module 8/10

This is a short, fun module. Good direction for the player and decently challenging in places. Very Forgotten Realmsy. 

A very nice module, excellent prelude for AL2 !!!

Hello, nice module. My question is, is there any way to get soundtrack from this module? I really like the one from skull inn.

Played this one through many years ago and enjoyed it thoroughly. I actually started this series again because a module I am currently in the midst of building is set in Tethyr and I wanted to explore what Alazander had done with it.

This particular module is the weakest of three, though still a fun module. I do enjoy modules set in the realms with familiar characters.

I played this one through with NWNEE and did not find any game breaking bugs. There were occassional glitches that either solved themselves or were fixed by a quick save and reload. 

I would give this particular module an 8 and then entire series a 9. I thought I read in one of the Beamdog forums that Alazander was considering an overhaul for NWNEE and finishing the story, apparently there was to be a fourth installment?? Either way loved this module and loved the series! 

Thanks for all the hard work Alazander you put into these modules!

Difficult to rate this series. 

Many hours of interesting gameplay. Well worth playing if you've completed the higher rated modules on the Vault.

A few niggles. The story is mostly linear. Decisions rarely matter much. Roleplaying is limited. Some conversations offer no options that are remotely in character. You get alignment penalties if you don't pay lip service to certain deities. Sometimes it's not clear how to move on to the next quest (though wandering around long enough will pay off eventually). Almost everyone you speak to will lore bomb you to death. Starting with a scratch character, by the end of the second part I was so well-equipped that few opponents were a challenge in the final part. And, of course, it's incomplete - the final part has a clear ending, but with unfinished business.

All the same, there's much to admire.

Review on the GOG forums:

https://www.gog.com/forum/general/games_finished_in_2019/post704

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Linear but well written and entertaining, so experiencing it as a story in which your character as the at-first insiginificant protagonist was very engaging. Your character does get overshadowed in the end by NPCs, but one ends up at about 6th level and hanging with Elminster., so you have to keep that in perspective. Fun module though perhaps a tad monty haul for single player.

I'll try to replay with my multiplayer posse, because I think it would be a blast. For a group, the rewards are well balanced. What I wonder is: would story awards of XP, which are large, be split among multiple PCs, or would they all get the same, current awards?

I did struggle a bit with continuity, occasionally losing direction but eventually finding my way. There are lots of "named" NPCs who simply fell before my attacks without exposition. Yeah, it's sort of cheesy if everyone is willing to talk with you before crossing blades and spells, but for a story-oriented module, it does help to flesh out the story itself.

By the time the character I created for this finishes AL2, it should be about the right level for Tyrants of the Moonsea! (;->

Thanks Alazander!

For such a heavy combat and linear module, it was excellent. Nice story and great atmosphere.

Quite good. Really enjoyed playing as the first part of the "AL Trilogy"

Not a bad module by any stretch of the means. I found the plot to be really enjoyable. There's also a few new books in the game for people to enjoy. Overall, I had a lot of fun with this. You'll have an end character of about level 6, being close to level 7. A perfect way to transition into AL2: Crimson Tides of Tethyr.

Really enjoyed this!

A bit of a cold start which left my dwarf wandering through a town in the Dales aimlessly. However once the main plot started it was quite entertaining. Some cool, tough battles. Good scripting, good story. A very nice module to start a new character with.

Only downside is you cannot do anything with your loot. You don’t really get a lot in the beginning and once you start earning good loot there are no merchants anymore. Also, there are a couple of moments where your character can easily go for a coffee and let the real hero work to the henchmen.

Still, this one really felt like a high-fantasy Forgotten Realms adventure and I can imagine that appeals to a lot of people.

Loved this module! The mage dragon was a nice surprise.

Really enjoyed this module.  Half Orc paladin with zero xp ended up about 200xp from level 7 about 6 hours later.  Played it all in one shot, enjoyed it that much.  I stumbled into the final encounter on accident so I missed out on an area in a cave.  Just had to see what was around the next corner first.  And I abruptly died, bad saving throw, heh.  

You start off in the town with no defined goal but the first commoner I spoke with had a tip on where I could find work and some info on the lay of the land.  It unfolded from there.  Little slow at the start but picks up steam quickly.  I liked that I wasn't the chosen one, the savior of forever ever land, nor the last hope for whatever.  Just a mundane guy with bad timing that wandered into this town, at this time in it's history and did the best he could with his fate.  I liked how the actual heros were portrayed.  I liked that they way outclassed me in terms of skill and ability.  Fabled heros should.  I laughed when I dropped dead and they left me there to carry on their quest, heh.  

I didn't run into any bugs or problems with the module.  Well made, well played.  Starting the next one in the series tonight!

I had played this years ago but I guess never left a review! I really liked the tightness of this adventure and the NPCs that you meet. Monsters are scaled properly and the stores will buy anything you have, a real plus! Try this for a fun time. 

Pretty pleasant start to the series, it felt a bit too linear for my liking due to story purposes, however the story was nice and the NPCs well written. It's a premium module (Not a pnp conversion) so don't expect many skill checks and RP, but it was good fun!! The XP rewards from questing were over the top, however I'm pretty sure it's just to make sure you are levelled enough to tackle AL2 with the same hero.

One note though, if you care about RP and story, DO NOT play a Drow character, you'll feel a bit awkward from the story progression . . . (I tried to play/RP with a Barbarian(1)/Ranger(1) 'Drizzt' character I created, since the series takes place in the Dalelands and Cormanthor, which was probably a mistake)