You know. I was one of the people who was thinking that throwing barrels around and carrying them in your back pocket was stupid. I have to admit, though, the point about carrying around 10 axes, 8 suits of armor, 20 shortswords, etc. is a good one. You've changed my mind.
Honestly, I used to think, "Why doesn't anyone ever create a video game with realistic item/inventory management; every time you pick up something, it has to go somewhere on your person or you simply can't carry it?" Then I played Outbound and realized that a more realistic inventory/item system isn't as much fun as I thought it would be. Realism doesn't always equal fun.
For example, I've had my taste of BG3 Hidden Objects game; searching every room very carefully putting my mouse over every pixel of the screen because I'm afraid I'm going to miss something fun and cool. It's not as much fun as I thought it'd be. I'd like a Loot All Important Items in the Room button now please. Let my characters make rolls or something like I would in Tabletop D&D to see if they find any hidden, fun objects. Searching one barrel/crate at a time and searching every little vase is kinda anti-climactic and slows the game down. Sure, you can hide things amidst all those useless things, which provides treasure-hunt gaming for some players who enjoy that, but especially after you start playing through over and over again I find it is very boring and takes away from the fun of the game.
But that's not the point. The point is that it is true that this is a video game. If you want realism, taking away barrels from being carried isn't going to give you that. You'd have to limit how many items you carry period; like how many suits of armor you can slap into your magic pockets.
This said, Grapple would be cool to have.
