Something that's bothered me in both D:OS 1 and 2 is that the early game feels starved of XP and leveling opportunity. When combined with the rather demanding and high leveled combat encounters, makes for a frustrating and slow early game experience.
I understand that the game is supposed to be challenging, but when you're gated at multiple encounters because your characters are under leveled and there is no easily available XP around, frustration ensues. I have spent hours wandering around the opening area in search of leveling opportunities in order to gain entry into the fort to no avail.
Not only is this a roadblock to inexperienced players just starting out, it's also detrimental to the feel of a large world bristling with opportunity. In order to scrounge enough XP to make it into the fort without being massacred, you basically have to do all the quests available regardless of whether it fits your playstyle or desire, and your characters still come up short! It makes the world feel claustrophobic and "designed" and really sells all the effort put into the world short.
What are your thoughts on this? Am I missing something drastic?
