I don't know where to start? Heard so much about the game and then saw the Kickstarter for the second one and said "Why not?!" I'll do this as Good vs. Bad list. Good: The graphics are great, act I is great, I enjoy the character's levelup and character creation which I think most of Owlcast work went into. Bad: Designed for masochists. reloading is not an enjoyable game mechanic. Opening quest is a copy paste of NWN opening quest - very original. Kingdom management: When you buy a game, you want to enjoy it, not to run chores. The entire kingdom thing is tedious, the tutorial is lacking at best, and loading screen on every little button you click. Also, why do I need to be in the town if I have 4 advisors who can do it? Most followers are useless and backstabebrs. Why do I even need them? Really horrible AI it feels like I have to take care of 5 kids in a kindergarten hell. Also, stop shoving woman power down our throats - I don't mind, but there are ways to do it without forcing it. Unbalanced encounters was the last straw for me. A random party level 2 encounter that facing you against a werewolf as you walk on the road? Some flaoting skull with AC 36 in a starting area? When it got to a must do quest, I stopped - I didn't get the game to get angry at what a disconnected developer thinks is fun. Rations... Such a bad design. A can of dried fruits, jerky, and some bread dont weigh 10lbs! Each! And you need 6 per rest! Or you can go hunt for 15 hours and messup with the quest timers. Encumbrance FTW! Dice rolls - its like the game has it for you. My 6th level fighter with +12 to attack rolls, can't hit a 9 foot tall troll with an AC of 18, but the troll with +10 to hit can hit my AC of 31 (meaning they need to roll a 21, which alas, is a none-existant die). This game is unenjoyable. It feels like a chore. The writing is meh. Alignment choice answers are off, and the kingdom is creating a bad experience. Dice rolls, Challanges of +40 to succeed...
I have purchased the game almost 20 years ago when it came out and was addicted to it until the CD stopped working. I couldn't be happier when I have just rediscovered it and I can tell you that they don't make that type of quality games today - true classic, awesome game play, great replay value, and tons of fun for everyone. Choose a unique race, two worlds to choose from, customize your spells, auto create unique world maps - yes this is a game from 1994 and it is that awesome!!! You will start talking like your wizard at some point. Let the Sky Drakes roam the havens and Spell of Reincarnation dominate the land because I am coming home baby!!! Bottom line - get it and you will see what I mean.
