Yeah it was my first Larian game. I thought it was very “true” to the D&D system and frankly, I think that explains much of the stiffness that you describe. Like, its a fine system for a game made in maybe… 1998? Maybe even 2008? But it felt very, very dated. Like, a sword does 1d8 but literally being fire only does 1d4? And like, idk, shields and armor bonuses that are not at all in line with how these things would actually behave; it requires more suspension of disbelief than I can muster.

For an open world RPG, it really really doesn’t play like one. I think I would have preferred a nice big open world, maybe I get dropped into some where as a level 1 peon, based on race/ alignment and I have to go through the process of “becoming” my class? And same with my companions. If they are level 1 like me starting out, they should have basically NO backstory.

I do however enjoy the game very much overall. I’m doing a second play though on heroic because it was just far too easy on the other modes.

BG3 was the first “impatient gamer” purchase I made in a very long time. I’ll typically wait for things to be 3-5 years old before I purchase. I’m not disappointment per-se, but honestly, I feel like it should be much, much, much more polished for the price. But so much of that polish needs to be on the play system and the world, and if they are staying true to d&d, there is only so far they can take it.

And yes, I meant Animal Well. Definitely my game of the year so far.