Your point about 'artefacts' in BG2 not being here is fictional because there are in fact fixed items within the game. Both spellbooks and valuable gear items. It speaks to the fact you're either not paying attention or have barely played the game.
I'm sorry but... What the hell are you talking about?
There are just a bunch of Unique items and most of them aren't even assured drop but they are still tied to random chances to obtain them.
The good thing is you did mention the problem you have: "It fails to commensurately reward the player". You expect your games to reward you in a way that 'feels good'. In a way that is psychologically satisfying and generates a triggered dopamine response. You are compulsively searching for the reward, the incentive in order to play your games instead of actually experiencing the game as a holistic experience.
Wow, that's... pretty much the opposite of the truth.
What I like about fixed loot is precisely that offers reliability and well designed and balanced items over compulsive rewarding at every step that trivializes the uniqueness of every encounter and treasure.
I'd suggest you go play the original X-com: Ufo Defense as a jumping off point to understand the intricacies of emergent narrative. Then play a bit of Ultima 7 to understand the type of world building and specific details that are utilized in this game. You simply show a shallow, dopamine-high focused approach to game playing that will never reward you properly.
This is hilarious. You just mentioned two of the games I replayed the most over 30 years of gaming and you are using the patronizing tone of someone who want to teach me how they played.
You could namedrop even Jagged Alliance 2 as you were on the topic, for even more hilariousness.
