First off, this is my first time doing any sort of feedback thread- so I apologize if my terminology is incorrect, and comments are lengthy, but BG 1+2 are some of the first games I ever had the pleasure of playing as a kid (as well as Neverwinter Nights and Icewind Dale), so I want to give the team at Larian some thoughts on their take of a cult classic sequel.
A disclaimer, as obviously there are going to be limits on how certain things transfer from a tabletop game into a video game. That being said, we've seen it done before- so I hope the devs don't try to cut corners with developing certain mechanics that are pretty fundamental to 5e. Of course there's nothing wrong with taking creative liberty to changing certain elements.
I've seen it said pretty unanimously in the forums, and I feel like I'm in the minority here, but I don't see an issue with the environment disruptions. Claiming it's too similar to DOS is a fair observation, and I know everyone's major complaint is that BD3 feels like DOS3 especially in terms of combat, but this IS a Larian game, and not a WotC game. I imagine this is why they opened early access during the alpha build - so we can tell them why certain mechanics are core to 5e gameplay.
Anyway, with that out of the way- here are some things I've noticed in my 11 hours (9, if you don't count the 2 I've spent marveling at the details of the graphics)
(For reference, I'm playing a Drow Evocation Wizard)
-Charm Person doesn't seem to end combat; not sure if that's a bug or a fundamental game play function- either way, I thought if I charmed the last person alive in combat I would be able to question them for further information I was unable to get prior to the fight. I unfortunately had to kill them, and while my character voiced the questions I had wanted them to ask- I would've rather that have been an actual dialog available.
-No "Hold Action" option? I've seen this voiced by other people, and this is again an important mechanic to 5e combat. I don't want my rogue to shoot an enemy before they're able to get sneak attack damage when I can't move my melee character in range. Holding an action seems like it would be a simple implication into the game especially since the combat is turn base.
-Can't Revivify a non party member? Not sure how many other people have this issue like I do, but I was disheartened to see that I could not use 1 of my 5 revivify scrolls on a friendly npc who had just fallen in combat. Not that they were an especially important NPC, but given the option, it would've been nice.
-This isn't so much a complaint, as it is just a question- but you can send other party members items from your inventory during combat? Even if they're on opposite sides of the field? I know DOS has the magic pockets feature, but unless it's because it's a video game and inventories are universally shared typically- I don't think I should be able to throw my wizard a potion by my rogue who is on a cliff 50 ft away. Again, this is more a humorous observation than a critique. (Meanwhile I try to split potions in my own inventory and I get the error message that there's not available destination for the split stack)
-Jump/Disengage; ah yes, the dreaded jump action controversy I've seen mentioned by so many other people. I, too, am a little confused on it's function. If you follow 5e mechanics it states that disengaging is a full action unless you're a Rogue. I think this should still remain the case, it's a unique feature to the class, and bonus actions are their thing. Allowing every class this option, just doesn't feel genuine. Also I don't understand how I can jump away from an enemy w/o provoking an attack of opportunity. Many others have discussed this (in great length) so I'll just leave it at that.
-Moving Illusions; I know that you're unable to move minor illusions, and dancing lights just act on their own. But Invoke Duplicity (again, in 5e mechanics) says that the duplicate moves on the casters turn. So unless I missed something, I am unable to figure out why I can't move my illusion.
-Combat Log? Speaking of missing something, either I'm blind, but is there no combat log? There are multiple instances during fights I want to see what was casted, or what damage was done, as the cast bar above the enemy's name is usually too fast for me to read. That, or the camera just doesn't lock on to the enemy who is attacking at that moment and I completely miss what happens. I know DOS and other similar games have a combat log, so I'm just wondering when it will be implemented more or less.
-More Races/Classes/Archetypes? Again, it's alpha early access so I know there are things missing. More or less I'm just looking for when I get to play my dream Circle of the Moon Dragonborn Druid. Just... please don't make them DLC. Please... don't make me pay for a core race and class...
-Lastly, it would be nice for there to be an option to actually roll our characters stats. Like, with 4d6 and generate it that way. Or! A bigger pool of options to have more flexibility with the stats. I've never been a fan of the pool stats (or whatever it's called), and I prefer rolling up a character. I should be able to have a buff wizard!! Or a smart barbarian! Or... any other oxymoron class.
Despite all that, and the minor bugs I've encountered (an npc glitching from chair to table, or that cute tiefling kid npc who glitched into a barrel while I talked to him), the atmosphere of the game is beautiful and it's obvious that is a major focus. The facial animations are solid so far, especially for being in alpha, though I'm looking forward to when my character doesn't constantly have the "/doubt" expression during conversations. I do hope that the dev team will focus on our characters story, and potentially introducing more traveling companions (and some... nicer ones...(again not paid DLC please)) because I think the charm of the OG BG games is how story driven you as the player were able to be. DOS2 focused on the named characters you played as, and as someone who loves making OCs I hope that they're able to stay true to the real D&D experience of creating your own story. Only time will tell though! Despite all that, I'm still enjoying the game, bugs (haha, get it?) an all.
Thanks for your time, and all the best!
Hex Cat
