Agree on many points. I don't care that much about the aesthetics, and I don't mind the idea of items being very powerful...but the idea that there are SPECIFIC items that are out of balance to the rest of the game is problematic, because they basically force you toward specific configurations.
I was surprised to discover the Level 12 cap (and yeah, spending a good third of the game with no level progression is...discouraging), and I agree with the concerns about underpowering caster classes, especially at higher levels.
I've also described the game as feeling 'incomplete'. The fact that there's no meaningful interaction with the Upper City was another disappointing surprise. BG1 and BG2 felt much larger, and much more 'open world'.
