I have been eyeing this game for a while and decided to give it a shot. It was way better than I had imagined: I seldomly try to do everything I can in the game, but now I found myself completing almost all the sidequests (minus the ones I didn't find) and collecting nearly everything I could. The story had surprisingly much depth, where not all the "bad guys" were bad per se, or all the "good guys" people wishing for peace and harmony for all. What seemed like a game thematically simple enough for a child, gave surprisingly deep insights about world and people on different sides of politics, virtues and races. And not just that: all the characters felt alive and very well fleshed out. It made me really want to know more about their lives and thoughts and backgrounds in the world.
The game is also SO BEAUTIFUL. It easily outstands many games that were made with more resources behind the team, and sometimes I just had to stop and admire all the little details in the game. Finally a forest in a game that actually feels and seems like an actual forest! Amazing job.
I also have minor complaints: there were few gamebreaking bugs (got stuck in a wall couple of times etc), and also navigation through the keep was a fricking nightmare. I admit I am bad at finding my way through gameworlds even in simpler levels, but holy moly I never learned some routes at all without having to run around desperately trying to find a way out, even after ten hours of playing. Minimap or something could have been great help, even though getting the actual maps in the game was a fun sidequest on its own. In the end getting lost everytime I had to go to the shore or visit Faustus was more frustrating.
Overall, I can give this a huge recommendation. If you love fantasy, great stories, beautiful and well done atmosphere and cute critters, this is a game for you. I hope we get a sequel!
