I still think that the surface and elemental interactions are a unique selling point for Larian,
More specifically, it was a unique selling point for D:OS1&2, games that externalised what traditionally are roll based status effects, into physical areas on the map. A very neat design, but not one that naturally fits a system not designed with that in mind. Problems are already apparent.
I am not against the system itself - it worked very well in D:OSs, and I am not opposed to adapting some of it, but it needs to be adapted well. So far my experience with EA only soured me on surfaces in this game. In D:OSs they were the game - here they get in the way of the game.
