Quote: "I sincerely doubt that the "evil path" will be the default for the game. It's pretty clear historically and on these forums that players prefer to play the good path. This is a mass market game with a mass market audience, and going with the evil path as default would 1-harm sales, and 2-be very unusual. I think if they were going with an evil default you would hear about it in the marketing, because it would be a fairly unusual narrative choice."
This is by far the darkest start I have seen in this series hands down. I am excited ...don't get me wrong, but there isn't a single bright spot among the player companions...not one.
No naive hometown friend like Imoen. No seasoned paragons of the community such as the Harpers . No Halfling Fighters with aspirations of Paladin Glory (The Amazing Mazzy).
Sure you could build an all evil party, but you had many good party options almost by default. I wish I had a choice here.
Larian has put sooo much effort into the voiced characterization, that I want to experience them, but may not. Sure I have had a priestess of Shar in my group before, but she was an outcast from the Underdark that didn't know any different, and earned her place...a redemption story if you will. This lot all seem like a redemption story to me. I will probably take Lae'zel as she seems pretty essential to the plot and honorable enough. interesting yet drama free. I need a cleric but don't want Shadowheart, and the others haven't made a great first impression, so only one voiced companions for me. I am looking forward to the NPC encounters.
I am a kinda disappointed that the Cleric wasn't some kind of moral center for the group, that really set the dark mood. Had they done that and thrown in one more unselfish character, they would have struck a good starting balance. Good is not in vogue obliviously.
Sarcastic but light-hearted review of cast:
Astarion: "What?! A man has to eat." ~OK the spawn of Straad is an interesting touch i'll give you that, just not a good fit at my campfire.
Gale: "I love me...don't you love me?"
Wyll: "If only I hadn't cheated to get this job"
Shadowheart: No
Lae'zel: Not everyday you see a Githyanki around...interesting choice.
