In the end, this is a video game using a variation of 5th Ed rules. It's not a tabletop DnD experience converted to visual media. If that's what you're looking for, you'll have to wait for something else. Too many people are going into this hoping for a genuine 5th Ed DnD game, but this simply is not it. That's Larian's call and the experience is going to be different. Hopefully by launch they'll have changed some things to make it a little more 'authentic', but even if they don't, if you want to play this game you'll have to realize that it's a unique experience and take it for what it is.. (or don't, that's also your call).
As for 'spirit' of DnD, that's a subjective thing. I play tabletop, and our DM has no problem telling us the DC if we ask for it. Why? Because some of us are newer players and it helps to teach them a better understanding of what's going on. Everyone plays differently. Critical Role plays it way different than anyone I've ever seen before. Every DM I've ever had has different rules and expectations and plays it in a different 'spirit' than the previous one.
This game is just another take. Some will decry it, some will love it.
Take it or leave it.
