There is a lot of great things there, but that make problems even worse. Its similar to perfect marble old Greek statue, but face was made by small child. I am not writing this angry, just heart broken. Problem is, that world does not make sense, and authors were unable to lead setting to consequences. Easiest example is mission, when you protect about thirty magic users from a few armed people. Just people, not not mutants, not magic users and they can be dangerous for them. This nonsensical magic persecution line is worth analysis on its own, but not biggest problem, just example. Game builds on dark Sapkowski's world when everybody is capable and evil. Humans and non humans fighting, men women in army or spell casting, or at least plotting... I have memory from books of some man in gender-neutral prison with some women warrior (Zerikania I thing) and she was abusing him... If you see no-name bad person in this game: bandit, deserter... always humans and always man. It feels like wannabe edgy teenager doing edgy stuff, but being careful not to interfere with his in-group taboo. He is not cool, just idiot. And real world can be more dark and edgy than this wannabe dark setting. There is evil sadistic man torturing women. Bad. But ten minutes before I seen Triss bursting random guy's crotch with fire with just because. Intentional torture. Even Gerald can use mind control and her spells should be more capable than his. Isn't there even mind reading in this universe? But "good guys" can do but unnecessary bad things because... Seen this in history books, they are not good guys. If authors avoided this nonsens, and refined non-brain combat (fast attack, fast attack, dodge, repeat) it would be masterpiece. And its shame that so many such talented people worked on this, but it got wasted by by writing team, unable to things two steps deeper. I lost my patience about half game deep, around 57-58 hours deep.
I have only one big issue, but sadly, it makes game almost unplayable for me. Not sure why other people does not mention this, maybe my computer is cursed, but combat is almost impossible because moody nature of all characters. e.g. at beginning of combat enemy archer hits my team member. My leader (set to defend part) immediately charges towards him and ignoring everything, for example that big dangerous boss. No matter if i ordered something before, or after charge begun. He takes it just as recommendation and continue to charge. Well yes, If i am not happy, just change AI script, but they always override my orders. Or just turn off AI, but then I just must babysit all characters, on degree, when ordering executing special ability let them stand stupid and not continuing in attacking. This is probably purpose, why they reduced party size. Micromanaging six characters would drive me crazy. My most successful tank is actually mage guy. He is running around battlefield chased by like three enemies, while rest of party remove archers. To bad, mage suddenly stop running and start something else (typically dying) or rest of party stop doing their job and start chasing Tom and Jerry, and ideally taking some attack of opportunity... If soundtrack consisted just from Yakety Sax, it will made more sense than this. Maybe I am expected to make connection with characters or something like this, maybe identify myself with main protagonist, but sadly, my party consists just from Idiot, Twat, Jerk and Missy Brat. (Stop running you Idiot, start running you Jerk, Stop attacking and taunt them as I told you ten seconds ago you Twat, would that spoiled Brat finally set that boss on fire please? I sad that boss!) I consider myself a huge fan of both, Obsidian and isometric RPGs, but I never felt so much frustration.
