Obsidian has my praise for creating this gem, but I would like to point out that there may be rough edges to it's initial magnificence.
My specific concerns are:
The player.One is presented with a robust character creation mechanic; various races, backgrounds, etcetera. At first I thought that the choices made, especially with race (i.e. Godlike), would have significant impact on NPC interaction and relations. However, I have found these choices affected little and had no appreciable consequence. Early in the game, the player is identified as a Watcher. While this does open some unique side-quests and interesting opportunities, there is also mention of the mental affliction associated with the attribute of Watcher. This does not manifest at all in any appreciable way. The handful of party NPC conversations and strange dreams regarding this topic are basically just a reminder, but once again, a reminder of what exactly? There is no actual manifestation or progression of this supposed disease. There are mentions of other Watchers living completely normal lives with this 'affliction'.
The setting.Gilded Vale. What a mighty and intriguing introduction to the first organized society. Sadly, even with all side quests complete and Readric's side-plot seen through, there is no closure. Gilded Vale continues as if frozen in the instant that the player has made their choice. I would have liked to see some way to have continuation to round off Gilded Vale. It feels incomplete every time I visit. The unyielding crops, the master-less hound taken from the second story of the tavern, the ruined but cleared church of Eothas, the NPCs fixed around the infamous tree... We are faced with Animancy, the (in my subjective opinion) fantasy equivalent of psychology, with a dusting of mysticism, and all of the struggles, questionably ethical experiments and the general distaste associated with its early conception. This in itself is so laden with potential that I could hardly contain my excitement. I was disappointed when, after everything, all the research, reading, NPC interactions and sub-plots, it coalesced into absolutely no story continuation or physical consequence whatsoever. The representative kills the Duc, the Sanitarium burns down and that's all she wrote. Such a waste of all the afore mentioned potential. The Theorems of Pandgram... Highly spoken of, an invaluable and voluminous source of knowledge and it turns out to be a fetch quest, the NPC not even moving from its initial location. I would like to point out here that I hold in high regard the side quests in context within the Sanitarium (Aloth and Moedred). Defiance Bay and the three internal factions. Superbly conceptualized, I found it hard to make a choice the first time I played. I find it a little sparse on interactions though, especially the Knights faction. Once you have aligned yourself, with very little faction-specific effort, there is nothing left to round the experience off. It feels unpolished. Heritage Hill. Unchanged throughout. Ondara's Gift. The Lighthouse tavern never seems to complete the upper stories. The Valian Trading Company stands empty... I think there could have been some potential there. Dyrford. No complaints whatsoever, a very well thought out and rounded experience. Twin Elms and the surroundings. I find it questionable how easy a foreigner gains access and audience to the most sacred of sites and highly regarded persons these Glanfathans revere (who reputably are very xenophobic). Furthermore, this last half of the main plot feels rushed and unpolished. I was expecting much more and found myself smack at the ending of the game quite abruptly. Case in point, I feel there were missed opportunities regarding the hurried nature and content in the end-game which, if realised, could have added immensely to the main story line. Also, there is an openendedness with the two 'factions' (longevity trough natural commune or sacrifice) in Twin Elms. This was a prime opportunity to influence the Glanfathan way of thinking towards either a conservative or progressive mindset. Cead Nua... Oh Boy. Them loading screens. That useless dungeon. That massive money sink. Those useless vendors. That feeling of a Facebook mini-game. The absolutely inconsequential completion. It wouldn't have been so bad if the Endless Levels weren't so very repetitive. The Adra Dragon and earlier Drake was fantastic though, bravo for that. I also enjoyed the interactions with Tcharek and Thulgr.
Companions.Eder, Pallegina and Grieving Mother. What brilliant concepts. Very well realised. It does however feel as though their side-quests taper off to nothingness, and there is no closure even when followed through. Slow clap for Durance and Aloth, absolutely astounding writing.Items.Unique items in PoE have a feeling of blandness that is hard to describe. With a handful of exceptions, many of the unique weapons, armour and other wearable items are quite bland. Perhaps this is just my experience having been spoilt by other rpgs with much more 'unique' uniques....Well. It has come to this. Many people have expressed their want for the inclusion of romance in PoE. Personally, I feel that if it is done right (ala BG2), it should definitely be included. If done in this way, it is entirely optional, so those who have no taste for such frivolities need not indulge. The key point here is content. If done right, it would add immeasurably to the fondness people have for PoE in future as they do currently for games which included it, like BG2, since it was characteristic of the specific game.The artwork, music and sound effects are of incredibly high quality. I applaud this.
I do not give a damn about the numbers-mechanics of attributes. It can be tweaked, polished and tuned. But it is there, it is core to the game and a complete overhaul is out of the question. Obsidian has done much already to improve from launch and I am confident they will continue to do so. The 2.0 patch and expansion will address many concerns, I am confident of it.
My post is entirely about content. Nearly every other issue can be excused if the content is worthwhile. So finally, I come to my questions.
Have I missed something crucial that would improve my experience in the points I have mentioned?
Does the game feel rounded, polished and complete to others who have played it? Hindsight is one-way, but could the game have used an extra year before being published?
Will Obsidian, now that all kickstarter obligations have been met with PoE standard, generate new, well-rounded content and focus on the content quality and world reactivity?
Obsidian has my praise for creating this gem, but I would like to point out that there may be rough edges to it's initial magnificence. My specific concerns are: The player.One is presented with a robust character creation mechanic; various races, backgrounds, etcetera. At first I thought that the choices made, especially with race (i.e. Godlike), would have significant impact on NPC interaction and relations. However, I have found these choices affected little and had no appreciable consequence. Early in the game, the player is identified as a Watcher. While this does open some unique side-quests and interesting opportunities, there is also mention of the mental affliction associated with the attribute of Watcher. This does not manifest at all in any appreciable way. The handful of party NPC conversations and strange dreams regarding this topic are basically just a reminder, but once again, a reminder of what exactly? There is no actual manifestation or progression of this supposed disease. There are mentions of other Watchers living completely normal lives with this 'affliction'. The setting.Gilded Vale. What a mighty and intriguing introduction to the first organized society. Sadly, even with all side quests complete and Readric's side-plot seen through, there is no closure. Gilded Vale continues as if frozen in the instant that the player has made their choice. I would have liked to see some way to have continuation to round off Gilded Vale. It feels incomplete every time I visit. The unyielding crops, the master-less hound taken from the second story of the tavern, the ruined but cleared church of Eothas, the NPCs fixed around the infamous tree... We are faced with Animancy, the (in my subjective opinion) fantasy equivalent of psychology, with a dusting of mysticism, and all of the struggles, questionably ethical experiments and the general distaste associated with its early conception. This in itself is so laden with potential that I could hardly contain my excitement. I was disappointed when, after everything, all the research, reading, NPC interactions and sub-plots, it coalesced into absolutely no story continuation or physical consequence whatsoever. The representative kills the Duc, the Sanitarium burns down and that's all she wrote. Such a waste of all the afore mentioned potential. The Theorems of Pandgram... Highly spoken of, an invaluable and voluminous source of knowledge and it turns out to be a fetch quest, the NPC not even moving from its initial location. I would like to point out here that I hold in high regard the side quests in context within the Sanitarium (Aloth and Moedred). Defiance Bay and the three internal factions. Superbly conceptualized, I found it hard to make a choice the first time I played. I find it a little sparse on interactions though, especially the Knights faction. Once you have aligned yourself, with very little faction-specific effort, there is nothing left to round the experience off. It feels unpolished. Heritage Hill. Unchanged throughout. Ondara's Gift. The Lighthouse tavern never seems to complete the upper stories. The Valian Trading Company stands empty... I think there could have been some potential there. Dyrford. No complaints whatsoever, a very well thought out and rounded experience. Twin Elms and the surroundings. I find it questionable how easy a foreigner gains access and audience to the most sacred of sites and highly regarded persons these Glanfathans revere (who reputably are very xenophobic). Furthermore, this last half of the main plot feels rushed and unpolished. I was expecting much more and found myself smack at the ending of the game quite abruptly. Case in point, I feel there were missed opportunities regarding the hurried nature and content in the end-game which, if realised, could have added immensely to the main story line. Also, there is an openendedness with the two 'factions' (longevity trough natural commune or sacrifice) in Twin Elms. This was a prime opportunity to influence the Glanfathan way of thinking towards either a conservative or progressive mindset. Cead Nua... Oh Boy. Them loading screens. That useless dungeon. That massive money sink. Those useless vendors. That feeling of a Facebook mini-game. The absolutely inconsequential completion. It wouldn't have been so bad if the Endless Levels weren't so very repetitive. The Adra Dragon and earlier Drake was fantastic though, bravo for that. I also enjoyed the interactions with Tcharek and Thulgr. Companions.Eder, Pallegina and Grieving Mother. What brilliant concepts. Very well realised. It does however feel as though their side-quests taper off to nothingness, and there is no closure even when followed through. Slow clap for Durance and Aloth, absolutely astounding writing.Items.Unique items in PoE have a feeling of blandness that is hard to describe. With a handful of exceptions, many of the unique weapons, armour and other wearable items are quite bland. Perhaps this is just my experience having been spoilt by other rpgs with much more 'unique' uniques....Well. It has come to this. Many people have expressed their want for the inclusion of romance in PoE. Personally, I feel that if it is done right (ala BG2), it should definitely be included. If done in this way, it is entirely optional, so those who have no taste for such frivolities need not indulge. The key point here is content. If done right, it would add immeasurably to the fondness people have for PoE in future as they do currently for games which included it, like BG2, since it was characteristic of the specific game.The artwork, music and sound effects are of incredibly high quality. I applaud this. I do not give a damn about the numbers-mechanics of attributes. It can be tweaked, polished and tuned. But it is there, it is core to the game and a complete overhaul is out of the question. Obsidian has done much already to improve from launch and I am confident they will continue to do so. The 2.0 patch and expansion will address many concerns, I am confident of it. My post is entirely about content. Nearly every other issue can be excused if the content is worthwhile. So finally, I come to my questions. Have I missed something crucial that would improve my experience in the points I have mentioned? Does the game feel rounded, polished and complete to others who have played it? Hindsight is one-way, but could the game have used an extra year before being published? Will Obsidian, now that all kickstarter obligations have been met with PoE standard, generate new, well-rounded content and focus on the content quality and world reactivity?
