First of all =>
Div cost me a keyboard (smashed my fists on it, cause of Josie - and a water kettle - overheard it as I was trying to find out how to wash dishes)
BD cost me a headset so far => smashed it on the ground. Maybe we might meet in a psychiatric clinic, Monkehman ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" /> so, I really understand frustration!
About EA => yes, they are overpowered, specially the earthquake spell. I had no probs with their other spells, my resistance was at 21. Everytime I saw one, I started to quake in my shoes. Played on very easy, BTW - but I consider myself a lousy fighter...
DK => Hmm, he gives wrong advice in some cases - and he depends my hero fully. I don't want to give away spoilers, I think, you might understand in the end, why he acts like honeymoon. Only this: he is devious. And as he was pink from Act 2 on, he merely amused me.
Act 3 quests => I agree, felt bad at some quests and then decided to skip some. I lose fun in a game if I have to kill needlessly. I still had enough ranking points to carry on. I understand you - being a double crosser is not my game style. (Even though I love to steal...)
BF => I didn't like them and could complete the game without going in there much. Just checked if dungeon entries were open - and in my last game, I skipped even that - in the meantime, I had found out my style and how to overcome probs. (Played it several times now, to see version differences.)
Inventory => hmm, I like to keep my stuff tidy - so I started to build "roads" - used the large inventory to group my stuff by scrolling, so I had a large overview. But I understand - it's easier to have the Div inventory.
Paladin/hero => I saw my hero differently - more the "I'm a beginner type". Yes, I would have preferred Kiyana to be a bit stronger - but as I said, I consider myself a lousy fighter. I wasn't a paladin - I was a disciple of this Order (probably the very low ranks). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> So, as she had to survive in a very dangerous way, I saw no prob in her beginning a stealing career (HA! I was corrupted already by all Div gamers and their ways to steal... learned a lot)
Neutral creatures: OH YES!!!! I agree fully. I can't count my reload times. I wish very hard, this would be changed. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />
items => didn't pick up everything. I agree, less and better quality would be fine - but I was lucky, I found orange items here and there (buy/find) - and I would have loved to have my char in shadow armour totally, liked the glimmer. But my leather armour was very good, so I kept to it.
Difficulty => I agree. Very easy is what I would see as "normal". Yes, this is not for mainstream gamers. The whole game takes up a lot of concentration and patience in my case - to understand plot twists, hints etc. And the combat, of course (did I mention, I'm a lousy fighter?)
Skill system => I think my differing opinion is clear in that, hm? I don't compare Div/BD skills - I liked both. Div was definitely easier. I needed discipline in BD not to take up too much skills - but this is challenging for me - maybe frustrating for others. I don't say it's good/bad - just needed a different approach. And I understand Div gamers mourning for this system <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />
Voices => German version has no speech. I prefer to play in silence anyway - I read too fast for this and like to jot down notes (old pen&paer RPG tradition). I think, it's not easy to suit every taste.
Music => well, this time I played in total silence - the game took up my whole concentration. I think, I will use this option, as soon as I feel secure in the game (combat).
Positives =>
this was the first time, I left my usual mage way and tried archer. Never had experienced this fun before - I loved the large variety of arrow types very much.
Humour => yep, liked that, too - sarcastic, sinister, callous - or when remembering these thievish imps => just sweet. I loved them! As I had a tooth ache myself, I really had to laugh about the Black Bishop in Act 3.
Act differences in landscape => The "merry" landscape in Imp Village, then the dark and sinister areas. Later on the beautiful Crystal Forest. These switches were extreme and I found beauty everywhere - though I took out the fog, so I could see enemies better. I liked the bubbling lava - and well, I really developed emotions for the Raanaar and their bond to honour. BTW, I think, this was the cause of their downfall. I recall, I spent some time thinking about their virtues and how/if they would survive in RL.
Brainy riddles => specially in Act 4. I felt like Miss Marple at times.
Personal conclusion => BD is more difficult than Div - has more edges, is not smooth, is "darker". And I think this game is challenging in a way I like => wanting to cope and understand. I am tied to it - but in a different way than in Div (Div called my inner child) - BD calls the adult in me. I'm sorry, I can't explain it better.
I do hope, my post is not defending BD at all costs or forcing my opinion unto anyone - it's just how I see the game. It has its ups and downs - places I like, quests I dislike - combat enemies I hate and fear. And moments, where I laughed my head off and thought... YEP, Larians, it's a typical Larian game.
Kiya
