100x better than PoE1/2, game has it's flaws and is a little bugged but devs are constantly working on fixing it and no doubt, will polish it. The main problem now is bad optimization - long loading screens, but aside from that - really great game, and, actually while playing it I understood why there was so many bugs initially - it is massive, with a ton of choices, options, you really can 't blame devs too hard for not polishing it on time! Recommend to all CRPG fans!
MAC PLAYER. Yes, this game plays. No, it isn't perfect. WOW are there some wonky bugs. But it is playable. Now. That was not always the case.
As to the actual game...
Do you like the Pathfinder tabletop role playing game? Do you have a basic understanding of the rules of said game, and the kind of strange, arcane terminology regular players (you know them by the Cheeto stains) will bandy about? Do you know the difference between a Sorcerer and a Wizard (and do you have lengthy arguments with your friends about which one is better)? THEN HERE'S AN AWESOME GAME THAT YOU WILL LOVE!
Do you like RPG's (even if you don't know pathfinder itself) and really want a crunchy, detailed character building experience that can take hours all by itself, followed by a steep learning curve as you figure out how to do combat? Do you want a game where you actually have to read the glossary of terms sometimes just to figure out what the hell your character can do? HERE'S AN AWESOME GAME THAT YOU WILL LOVE!
Does all of the above sound terrible and boring? Run. Seriously. Do not buy this. You will be sad (and probably more than a little cranky).
The story's no worse than some of the weird stuff regular tabletop players will experience. The companions are fun and interesting (if a little stereotypical in a couple places) and the overall effect is very "tabletop translated to a video game."
If that is your jam, this is a pretty good game.
As someone who's been wanting to play the tabletop game for ages, but who has no friends and a family whom dislikes pen@paper, this was a great chance to dip my toes into the universe.
I recommmend installing the turn-based combat mod; assuming that it hasn't been officially added by the time you, lovely internet person of the future, read this review. Other than slowing down the pace of the game, it really does help showcase the underlying mechanics behind many of the abilities.
For those going in blind; be prepared to either brush up on the tabletop ruleset or be willing to experiment, allow the game to auto-level your companions, or re-create character sheets from the Iconics / Pathfinder Society.
I can imagine anyone with the min/max mentality could suffer from analysis paralysis as well-- part of the fun, imho, is just rolling with the flaws of your party.
The DLCs are also top notch and fairly priced for what they have on offer.
Now all there's left to do is wait for Paizo to release the 2E ruleset for Kingmaker and find a way to convince my family to play.
This game is a true heir to the Baldur's Gate series, and will satisfy fans of that genre. While I suspect the many bug-related criticisms levied at this game early on were likely justified, the Enhanced Edition has gotten rid of all of them, and I've had an enormously satisfying run. 120+ hours in, I'm continuing to enjoy my slow play, able to pick this game up and put it down at my leisure. Sometimes I'll have a marathon session, others a few minutes stolen here and there. I can leave for a month or play regularly day after day, and the game remains rewarding every time.
So i've tried to play through this game a few times but this game really needs to be turn based when in combat, classes that should be casting spells are instead shooting a bow or crossbow, you can set a spell to be cast all the time, but not the same at least to me.
So why roll an Initiative check if everyone is just going to charge into the enemy anyway's, you can turn off the AI or pause the game non stop to issue orders but that gets tedious also.
If it's supposed to be like table top you enter into combat, roll initiative and then each character goes on their turn including the enemy, regular exploration should be real time as it currently is.
I want to love this game but if I want a hack & slash with no concept of actual D&D combat I'll go play Diablo, I want a game where I have to think about who to aid or attack not oh crap were all going to die.
Hopefully the second game coming out will have Turn based combat like Table top, didn't see it in the kickstarter info one of the reasons I didn't back this one like I did the first one.
