Agreed!
You are SO right about the combat system.
I LOVED DD, its plot, world and npc's.
However, the endless hacking and blasting got on my nerves, so much so as to prevent me finishing Divine Divinity which is such a shame.
I would accept fewer combat interactions but make the actual combat engine more complex, so that each fight seems like a fight to the death. Draw them out, really make you THINK about your strategy in defeating the opponent.
Take Ubisoft's Pools Of Radience as an example, although the game was flawed they got the combat engine just right.
I know it was a team-based effort but its possible to create the same atmosphere with a single player surely?
Or if it IS difficult why not let the player summon during battles only?
I sincerly believe that the rpger is sick to death of the endless hack, and would jump at the chance to think through his combat strategically.
It makes for a deeper more enjoyable game.
And why not introduce a 'bullet time' into the combat?
Making the combat engine real-time but with the time to carry out your actions thoughtfully?
You could even introduce a specific type of spell that all classes have access to.
My two-penneth worth.
TwoBells
