I rarely buy DLCs, and i was happy to make an exception for a perfect game like WOTR. Owlcat Games did a great job, no doubt. The winning idea of this product is the festival: you get a truce from fighting demons and managing the crusade, your companions have meaningful things to say, people react differently based on your mythic path, quests are funny. What I loved the most is how civilians dress up as you and your companions. The antagonist is somebody you would have dreaded at level 1, but now you sweep the floor with him. Not very hard, but satisfying, considering your powers at this point of the game. More competitive players will be happy with the new arena, and new archetypes were added. So, what's the problem? Why only 4 starts? Because it's a DLC. This isn't a trend we should encourage. Instead of getting a complete and good game, we get lured into buying pieces of games in the form of classes, quests and characters absent in the main game. I will let it go this time, considering WOTR's well earned reputation, but gaming shiuldn't follow this path.
A DnD adaptation is something I always looked forward to - an immersive and detailed fantasy setting is a pleasant distraction. Solasta is a mixed success. The positive sides include a funny combat system, good graphics and the succesful idea of creating and controlling all party members during the dialogues. The character creation is something I can't complain about. I wish I could have been more "merciful" with this game by leaving 4 or even 5 stars, but there are some problems. The biggest flaw is the mediocre immersion: plot, dialogues and choices aren't convincing. Also, choosing the languages known by the characters doesn't seem to have much impact on the game (if a character knows how to speak with giants or dragons, why am I not interacting with such races?). But the biggest disappointments are the DLCs. I have to buy more in order to have more classes, races and adventures. No, this is unacceptable. A game should be complete and good. Maybe some campaigns may be added later on for an attached fanbase, but Solasta's creator exaggerated by selling separately things like monks and dragonborns. The base version of a game should be enjoyable, not a leech that wants you to buy more and more.
So far, I completed patch 9 with my first character, a diplomatic sorcerer with a draconic bloodline. Fun is the fundamental reason of videogames, and Baldur's Gate 3 excells from this point of view. Planning the liberation of slaves from foul-mouthed dwarves, goblins bickering among themselves, admiring the red dragons, being amazed by the character creation, getting in trouble and wondering with your companions what on earth is going on, the pleasure of defeating a dangerous boss, ambushing enemies with stealth after they had previously vanquished you, the dialogue options, enjoying the new spells and abilities you unlocked...all of this speaks in favour of BG3. The poor developers, after creating many expectations, will be besieged with requests - more races! More classes! More! More! And if we want more of this game, it means that this game is good. As for the complaints, I had a few crashes (I assume it's my computer's "fault"), but nothing unbearable.
Let's start with the strength of this game: what works in NWN2 is the immersion. I felt really taken by the plot, I cared about the characters, the D&D setting felt believable, even in its clichés. The idea of managing your fortress and your army has been reused in Pillars of Eternity, Dragon Age Inquisition and Pathfinder Kingmaker. Your choices during the game will affect wether your companions will stay loyal to you or not, what factions will you support and how much damage will you inflict upon the NPCs around you. Defending myself during a trial, being diplomatic to lizardfolk, supporting a dragon against fire giants and then convincing said dragon not to eat me, encountering trapped devils and being besieged by vampires were all memorable moments to me. Of course, NWN2 isn't without flaws - the cutscenes are debatable by today's standards, and I would have wished for more choices and consequences, for instance in the matter of divinities. Still, NEverwinter Nights 2 is a game I'm in love with, and I was happy to replay one of the classics of my teenage period on GOG.
