I really want to like this game, it has all the elements I enjoy, crafting, alchemy, combat, quests and an interesting plot, coupled with great graphics. However,the 3rd person perspective is the real killjoy for me. It means having a compromised control system which feels sluggish, probably to accommodate the character animation. I tried both keyboard/mouse (my preferred method) and a 360 controller but all too often you'll end up stepping past an opponent or facing the wrong way and get hit in the back for your troubles. Ultimately this feels like a console game rather than a PC game - which is great for the people who love console games, but I don't. I will persevere and see if I can wrestle control of my character as I can see a lot of potential, however in my mind this game fails to live up to all the hype (In fairness I personally don't think anyone has made a well controlled 3rd person game... )
I really wanted to love this game as on paper it has all the things I look for in a RPG. Sadly the horrendous control system has killed any chance I will make it past the first few hours play. I'll explain further: The mouse control is sluggish even with the sensitivity turn up to max, this means trying to turn with the mouse while walking forward causes you to miss where you are trying to get to and you can easily lose track of your opponent while in combat (yes, you can lock onto a target but that involves taking your hand off the mouse and is a pain with multiple opponents). Soooo I tried ignoring the mouse and used the keyboard instead, only brings its own quirks as strafing seems way too sensitive and yet turning is not fast enough, also although it is a 'free roaming' system you have to wait until you stop walking before you can do an action (read something, pickup an object etc) doesn't sound like a big problem only when you release a movement key IT HAS TO FINISH THAT ANIMATION FIRST so if walking forward and you release the key it has to finish stepping forwards first, this adds an extremely frustrating delay to any action you want to do. If you can battle your way through the controls I am sure its a very good, deep RPG but sadly I cant.
I'm probably going to be stoned to death for this but I was disappointed when I started to play this, the interface is clumsy, the movement controls infuriating (and unmappable) and overall not standing up to the hype other reviewers have given it. Don't get me wrong - When these FIRST came out I loved them, warts and all. They were well ahead of their time in content and ambition (I loved the rune based magic system) - I actually bought my 1st PC JUST to play Underworld1. Its just I don't think they have aged well and I can no longer forgive the clumsy controls. So 5 Stars for nostalgia 3 Stars playability
