Great post OP, I agree with most and to talk about something we didn't talk that much atm, I'll quote this :
4) In my playthrough, I decided to not use the tadpole options or detect thoughts but I wonder if this is that worthy. While using the tadpole and detect thoughts unlocks dreams, powers and special dialogs, what did I have ? It is like it changed nothing to refuse all of this. I hope not using the tadpole will have consequence in the future and about detect thoughts on companions, I am not sure if there is consequences at all.
I played as you and after talking with friends or reading forums, it looks like I missed A LOT of things about what is the absolute and the direction of the story.
I actually leave the act 1 jbut I don't really know why.
The absolute is related to the tadpole in a way but am I trying to follow the baddest evil cult of the coast because... maybe they'll have clue to remove the tadpole ?
This is not clear, and it looks like the "good path" in which you don't use the tadpole is missing many story related things.
Keep in mind that act 1 is the intro of the game so we have to be engaged in the story.
Evil seems pretty okay because of the dreams but the good one aren't enough engaged in the story according to me because "remove the tadpole" is still the only objective after 25h.
