The original game was designed to be challenging. The game is largely meant to played at a thoughtful pace. Even the most intense action sequences are better taken in slow steps. Be prepared to muddle through some trouble shooting for the too-loud music that I'm not sure I can follow. I'd still recommend this game to anyone who is interesting in alternative adventure games. The story and setting are wildly unique even if there are a few cliched floursishes. I gaurentee you that there are puzzles you'll be tasked to solve. However the game uses an auto system and will probably always kill you if you haven't figured out a smart way past guard choke points. Honestly I'd probably say you shouldn't play this game unless you want to know more of the backstory to the second game - which is admittedly more humerous and more outlandish than the first! It also has slightly more responsive control and I think has a bit more in-game tutorial segments.
While there is a fair bit of "action" game-play, as the series progresses the action quickly becomes boring while the "humor" drools. The humor declared as satire ends up becoming a predictable derogatory depiction of an uninteresting near do well and persons who are standard to a medieval fantasy setting. A fantasy setting full of the endless antagonistic hoards to provide leveling opportunities through stilted hack and slash. The dialog often feels stolen from a cheap bodice ripping novel and situations too frequently present the main character with an opportunity to act like a cross between a frat boy and an aging pick up artist. The "charm" of the main character should appeal to adolescents who lack the capacity to hold complex conversations of a historical or mature subject.
