Even years after its release, the game is a buggy mess. The latest bug is that suddenly my wizard won't cast any spells. You can pick it, you can click it, the animation starts, and then it just sits there forever. And this is just the latest. Before it was launching issues; window issues; etc.; etc. Cannot recommend this game. Given how much choice there is, there simply is no reason to play something that will not run properly. It's just not good enough to be worth the hassle. I'm currently also playing Sacred 2, which is an ancient game, and for which I've not had a single issue. Not surprised POE2 didn't do very well.
Having played all the original CRPGs -- Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, etc. -- I very much wanted to like this game. Unfortunately, the combat is so unbalanced even on easier difficulties that playing the game just becomes a tedious bore and a time waster. Reluctantly uninstalled it. I suppose for those who have no jobs or family or any other important demands on their time and who are willing to repeat the same fight two or three times in order to win it, this might hold some appeal, but for everyone else, I would recommend skipping it.
Buyer beware. The game will not work on Windows 8 or many other modern OS's. There is a patch reference somewhere in the discussion forums that *some* people have said works, but I have not had luck with it. It really is quite shameful that GoG mentions nothing about this, while happily selling the title. Unfortunately, this is not the only game for which this is true. GoG: You should be better than this. It's a matter of basic business ethics.
One of the best games I have played in years and in my view, better than Pillars of Eternity. --A fascinating, engrossing, and original storyline. --Tough, engaging combat that is just a smidgen less punishing than POE. --Terrific progression systems. --Beautiful and unique art design. Obsidian has replaced Bioware as our finest creator of RPGs, with only Inxile nipping at its heels for that status. I look forward to seeing them compete for the mantle of King of RPGs in the years to come. We should all be grateful at how they have rescued us from what seems to be an increasing tendency on the part of AAA studios to produce underwhelming and downright disappointing RPGS. Bravo!
I'm still wrapping my mind around how good this is, especially after so many kickstarter disasters. It is really wonderful that this style of gaming has returned, in defiance of contemporary norms. Between the Dragonrun reboots, Divinity: OS, Wasteland 2, and now this, it seems like there is a renewed taste for substantive and thoughtful gaming. I have to say, I am really looking forward to Torment: Tides of Numenara now. It is an especially happy thing, given how many of my favorite franchises have seemed to go bad lately. I am a huge Mass Effect fan and was very disappointed by 3. Ditto for Dragon Age, which just got worse and worse after the first, amazing, game. I really hope that developers pay attention to what is happening now and that it rubs off on the next round of AAA next-gen releases.
Pretty shady stuff. Two hours ago, the game was listed at 39 and change. Now it's 59. You just lost a customer to Steam. Bad business choice.
In terms of sheer realism, mechanics, and atmosphere, these are the best "post-apocalyptic" first person games out there. They are also genuinely difficult, but in a realistic rather than gimmicky way. Getting shot will kill you, but it also kills them. No bullet sponges here and no "take 50 shots and keep fighting". This is one of the few games, where I felt real anxiety, during gameplay. The only other game I can think of which had this sort of potent effect is the original F.E.A.R. I echo other reviewers, however, in the need for Mods. These games are jewels in the rough. I have a soft spot for the "Complete" mods, which now exist for all three games, but some of the other mods recommended are good as well. No fan of Fallout 3 should miss these games. No fan of Metro should miss these games. No fan of the horror/survival/post apocalyptic genres should miss these games. And the price is right. GOG has really outdone itself here. Kudos.
