If you like turn based CRPGs, regardless of whether you are a Warhammer 40K fan or not, you should try this game. Owlcat has a reputation for developing turn based CRPGs with very good writing and captivating stories, and this game is no different. Now that the balancing issues and the bugs are fixed, an absolute 5 out of 5 for me.
The story, the dialogues, and the choices all carry this little gem of a game. There is also plenty of character customization, crafting and what not. If you play your CRPGs for the story and the choices, then this game is for you. If you are in it for high definition cinematics and childish party members, then go play BG3.
It is at its core a resource management game, where you try to keep the morale of your crew high, while rationing food and heating supplies. Around this core, however, is a gripping story with beautifully written dialog and fascinating characters. Although the gameplay is simple, it is fairly challenging, even though I am no stranger to strategy games. The artistic style, including the pictures and the music, is simply beautiful. It made me really feel the weight of the critical decisions that I had to make.
Short background: Love the original Black Isle games (Baldur's Gate I and II plus Planescape Torment), loved the recent Pathfinder games, especially WOTR. I played and did not care much for the previous two Divinity games from Larian, thought the battles were fun and nothing else noteworthy. Since this game received such a plethora of positive reviews, I have forced myself to keep playing. But I just can't seem to enjoy it. For me, the most important elements in a CRPG are the story and the companions. What makes the story in an CRPG epic is the feeling of uniqueness it bestows upon you, being the focal point of the story (think of the Nameless One in Torment, or you a child of Bhaal in BG 1 and 2). Here, there is very little mystery, very little personal growth, no unique challenges that you face. You are one of many (hundreds, thousands?) afflicted by the same problem. The companions are utterly forgettable. They all have the emotional maturity of children in puberty, displaying extreme reactions to everything you say and do, and for some reason, fall in love with you and want to sleep with you after having conversed just a few times. Again, at no point did I feel like I was investing in a friendly or romantic relationship, where their views of me gradually changed. In short, Baldur's Gate 3 has all the blandness of the Divinity Games, including the annoying inventory management. The game has a lot of voice acting and cinematic scenes. I personally put no value to these, as I do not mind reading a paragraph of text giving the description and my mind then conjuring the images. I also do not like the cartoonish artwork of the game (some other reviewer called it a theme-park atmosphere, which I find very fitting). I guess the game is not for me, which I expected but still wanted to give it a try. The combat is ok, but I would call it a downgrade from the previous Divinity games. Perhaps this is due to the implementation of the DD 5th edition rules.
