This game has a bit of everything: resource gathering, combat, building, crafting, farming, collecting, and even relationship building. You have goals, large and small, which will compel you to keep playing, although none of them a really time-critical. Little surprises await you around every corner (at least at first). Combat is an optional thing, or at least one can plan ahead for it since it only occurs in certain places, great if you are in the mood for a relaxing game. This game is so engaging that it got me through a VERY stressful recent crisis in my life when I needed a good distraction. Highly recommended.
This is one of my favorite games, probably rates just after Gothic 2. The artwork is beautiful, the combat is mostly interesting, and the plots and subplots make sense and keep you moving along. The one downside to this game is the ending, where no matter what kind of character you've spent many hours building, you have the same strategy regardless. A flaw in design, but up to that point a wonderful experience.
