Would it really be better to hit max level 30 minutes before the game ends? It's fun having at least some play time when you're at peak and has unlocked your end state. For most people you'll take the first feat that "does something" at level 12, because level 4 and 8 is used for stat boosts. I'd hate to get to max level and then just have a couple of hours to play there. What's the point of that?
But I have been thinking they've cut a lot of content and intended to have a different XP progressions. It seems like they cut a lot from act 3 and upped all XP gains by a % to compensate. So you outlevel act 1 and 2, and then act 3 is densely packed with high XP encounters to fit everything and you just plow through the late game XP.
I realize this allows for a much more casual, "don't have to do everything" playthrough, rather than having to grind out every smidge of XP to keep up with the game. It's how it needs to be, but I think more content in Act 3 and by consequence slower XP gain in act 1 and 2 was probably intended. Feels like I hit level 5 in act 1 and level 7-8 in act 2 a bit too soon.
