I generally like the interactive barrels, crates and other things in the game. I could see making barrels heavier, and also would like more use of the stuff by monsters and enemies. Maybe damage could be lessened a tad, but, I think these additional interactive elements add choices, fun and a whole lot of tactical planning to any battle.
Larian's approach is a lot different than most other games I've played- but to me anyways, it's in a good way, not bad. They force the player to do a lot more thinking before charging in, and a lot more paying attention to one's surroundings and possible resulting situations.
It's a breath of fresh air in a gaming world where you mostly follow the cheese hanging on the end of a stick through a one way maze where clicking on stuff with your sword results in success.
Not here.
Ok so OP surfaces and elemental effects/damage and/or feature that become automatic because there are OP increase the "tactical" value of the game... Why not
Don't get me wrong I like surfaces but actually it's not implemented like a tactical mechanic at all... It's implemented to be "see me ? look at us ! play with us !"
