Story (specifically the main plot and faction politics) and characters (most of the new companions) are where Deadfire suffered for me too, especially in comparison to the first game.
I found a lot to love in Deadfire’s setting lore and story. But “found” rather then “loved”. Openness of the game essentially means that there are little to no coherent arcs or developments - many praised DLCs on “how better written” they are, and I genuinely believe that the gap between base game end DLCs is structure. DLCs are more linear - and therefore have momentum, while Deadfire is full of cool things, that never really add up, or get properly explored nor developed.
And reputation system was a complete disaster. Factions are brilliant though. It’s a bit too derivative of Fallout: New Vegas, but it is the first RPG where I can wholeheartedly ally with any faction depending on what character I create (and all of them being sensible kith beings). On my last playthrough I created a tradition respecting elf from White at Wends and I was surprised how well he jelled with Huana, and how satisfying ending with them was (and I liked where Takehu’s story ended up on that run). It got better with DLCs and patches, but there is definitely a confusion as to what the story actually is. It’s a pretty darn cool world to dig into though.
Edit: ah, also romances. Bad idea that never works. PoE1 - no romances, an a great cast of varied, memorable companions. PoE2 romances, and the whole thing feels like some kind of reality show, where there is reward for sleeping with PC.
Edit2. And reactivity in PoE2 when it comes to PoE1 choices was disappointing. Anyway, I will stop. I can write about what I love and hate about PoEs without end. I will keep that to Obsidian’s forums, as it’s of little consequence to Larian’s work.
