I agree with Abits estimate about Larians priorities. This feels more like a DOS3 with D&D adjectent rules. But I disagree, that they should refocus on story.
My biggest hope is actually a GM mode, where a DungeonMaster can set up fights for players. I would love to have a beautiful digital platform for the fights of our tabletop group (especially the online games). The social interactions would be done by GM narrative, wheras any battles are handled by the game engine. But this hinges on Larian actually implementing a 'true hardcore tabletop rules mode' or at least offering one as an option.
If combat rules and monster statblocks are implemented faithfully.... I already plan to pressure five more people into buying this game or gift it to some outright (that's 300$ more for Larian). But only if it's follows the tabletop closely.
Even if the story is great, at most two other people in our group would actually play an rpg on the computer.
Their current construction of a DOS and D&D hybrid is a useless distraction for me. Rules changes (like granting too easily advantage) warps the rules and requires rebalancing many, many other things. This causes a chain reaction of changes. This costs Larian time and money. Time and money that could have been spent in implementing the core rules exactly as written and on the story I suppose.
There's a newer and more up to date topic about the issues I raised here. I addressed the concerns you raised here there, specifically the argument about the story versus the gemeplay. I would be delighted to read your comment about it
https://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=712296#Post712296
