I just played this for the first time, and the bugs that seemed to have been prevalent upon first release are mostly gone as of Spring 2017. The game crashed for me twice (both time while loading a cut-scene), but the auto save retained the content-- meaning there was no loss of progress and no problems other than momentary irritation. Some of the criticisms of the game seem fair: it is more linear than either of the two main games; there are sections with trivial runaround quests; and I understand why the ending (after the completion of the main quest) could seem like an anti-climax to some (it serves as transition material between the first and second games). That said, it is still the best expansion in the series (and, yes, that includes Throne of Bhaal), and it was fun to re-visit the Baldur's Gate world. I started from the original Baldur's Gate and worked my way up to the expansion, and I will probably go ahead and take the same character through Throne of Bhaal for old time's sake. I would recommend you do the same (at least the starting from the beginning part), as the experience will be much more satisfying. If you also remember that this is an expansion-- and not a sequel, you are more likely to come away impressed, rather than be disappointed. I would also suggest recruiting the Goblin shaman M'Khiin. She is by far the most interesting new character, and she is more powerful than she first appears (eventually filling a valuable niche in the party). As to some of the other complaints (there is a transgender character, and you don't have the option to be nasty to her; the female characters have more agency than in the original games; and there is the possibility of homosexual romance): the less said about these, the better. Some people can only feel big by trying to make others feel small. Overall: if you're a fan of the original games, it's worth your time (though not essential)
