Short Summary: real-time sword and sorcery RPG. Breath-taking graphics. Good mix of combat details while not getting bogged down in too many details. Interface generally very, very similar to Baldur's Gate. Companions are extremely well done, although their number is limited. Lots of different monsters and side quests (Hooray for side quests!). Avoids the "chosen/prophesied one" trope (how I despise the "chosen/prophesied one" trope!) and black-and-white thinking. Brings up some interesting metaphysical questions and gut-wrenching practical questions with no good answers. Roughly 60% fighting and 40% exploration, diplomacy, or problem solving. (You can turn every situation into a fight, though, if you prefer straight blood and guts.) Highly recommend.
Longer Opinions:
Graphics: Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful.
Storyline: Tough questions, tough choices, no "right" answers. You have your character's quest arc, but the game generally does a really good job of presenting a world swept along in all the decisions by all people past and present, messy and undirected and unresolved.
Combat: Generally pretty good balance between swords and sorcery. I've played two full games so far. I found playing as a ranger to be slightly at a disadvantage, while playing as a cipher put me at an advantage, but even then there were monsters and battles that were tough, and early on I had to be really careful.
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| Do not take this situation lightly. |
The Little Things That Make It Great:
- the improved stealth is awesome, especially the feature letting you know when you're about to be detected
- world interactions include things like using crowbars and grappling hooks, climbing walls and jumping gaps, and the rise and fall of the tide; I really like the increased sense of interacting with the world
- some conversational possibilities are only available based on your character's abilities and reputation (intelligence, honesty, etc.)
- all the NPC's have distinct characters, stories, banters, and abilities. I didn't like all of them, as people, but they can all be strong members of your party. Some quests have different endings depending on who you take along.
- Having a stronghold which generates tax money, and which you can beautify and protect with upgrades. May not appeal to everyone, but I found it very satisfying to restore Caed Nua.
- being able to craft your own enchanted armor, weapons, and magic potions with ingredients you collect during your journeys
Mods, Desired:
- Romance Mods
- More Companion NPCs
- Mechanics Mod Tweak-with a high enough mechanics score, I'd like to have the option to break the machines in Cîlant Lys and Clîaban Rilag.
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