This thread is starting to turn into some weird blame discussion. Just because someone enjoys the romance part and is vocal about it, doesn't mean they're automatically diminishing the game in any way and want to make it worse or overlook other issues. Some might, true, but I see a lot of generalisations here.
I have to agree with that. I enjoy the romances and the stories of the characters. I don't think that's the reason the main plot is so bad. I really do think the problem comes down to Larian not knowing how to write a compelling story for a Tav. The authors wrote stories for the characters and then tried to tie Tav in somehow.
Again, I do think Gale's ending makes sense. A corrupt Netherese Crown is countered by a corrupt Netherese Orb. Gale becomes Jesus, Mystra raises him from the dead and all's well.
Tav gets slotted into that story and it doesn't make any sense. Someone needs to become a mind flayer because the brain is really big. That's what Nether crowns do - they pump you up sooo much you need a mind flayer to counter them.
The game did a really good job of rewarding player agency **outside of the main plot** But in the main story? It's railroad.
Ironically the interview made me decide to play the game again - I was waiting for a definitive edition but it seems that's not going to arrive. And as I play the game I keep finding places where the main story falls apart - the Daisy lines are still in the conversations after the dream. "And it gave me another gift . . . " Uh, no it didn't . . .
