You might dismiss my advice, but I genuinely think that the whole online dialogue, marketing and other stuff don't indicate anything actually meaningful about this product. Why do we play games? I think, mostly, to have a fun time, maybe enjoy a good story or goof around. Speculating about systems and content while the game is not yet out can kill the interest or disappoint. Thats why I really hope you can avoid that trap, may be let it rest for several weeks, and massively enjoy the game when it actually comes out.
I appreciate that you're trying to be positive. Really, I do. But I'm past giving this much benefit of the doubt to Larian. What they communicate publicly shows us their priorities, and their priorities have always been visual spectacle, surface-level flair and cheap humour. I assume they presented a state very close to release during this PFH and it contained the same party movement, nonexistent stealth mechanics, overly dramatic dialogue and generally edgy writing. Seeing the beautiful character creator and new monk animations was very enjoyable, but all excitement was drained from me the moment I saw monk no. 3 climb the roof and sneak up clumsily all the way behind the goblin's backs mid-battle without a single stealth check. When the Urge dismembered Gale only for it to be turned into yet another joke via Shadowheart's comment and then fell asleep while the narrator repeated the word 'Blood', I couldn't believe my eyes. It sincerely felt like I was watching a young teenager's violent fanfiction. It's safe to say the game is going to be full of such things because, simply put, this is Larian. Their idea of addressing dark themes is largely through excessive violence, torture and bullying, and the word 'subtle' is not in their dictionary. This may appeal to a lot of people, but it doesn't to me and I think we're well past speculation by now to say I personally have little to look forward to.
