You are right about how so many video games just let players do whatever they want and the story just waits for them to finally get around to doing something about it.
That's, again, only 1 small part of this. The true issue is around mechanics. In order for the game to work, you have to provide some sort of consequences for long resting all the time. BG1 and 2 and IWD used random encounters with no fast travel. NWN 1 and 2 didn't really limit it took much, and it hurt the gameplay considerably. Good game, mind you, but being able to heal after every battle had the same effect as BG3. I didn't need potions and healing spells as much, and when I got tougher I could spam really powerful spells like crazy.
100%.
But yes. I like stories that make sense. I don't like reading books where the story is flawed, I don't like movies with plot holes, as much anyway, and I don't like when video games just don't make sense. I would LOVE for someone to start creating video games where they actually make sense and maybe, just maybe, I could play through on the first time through without having to save scum my way through the whole game. You know, a game where I could actually BE the character and try to make it without dying the first time through without knowing where all the bad guys are and tricks and gimmicks just like a genuine, real RPG. Because in a true RPG, you only get 1 shot to get through the story. You cant save and reload.
But instead, we keep getting these same old gimmick games with impossible encounters that you cant beat unless you know your enemies' weaknesses and the game gimmicks by fighting them 10 times save scumming each boss fight.
This game can be played to the end without dying, even on the first run. My first run I died once. I don't even remember how, lol. I take a very cautious approach to new encounters. I take my time during my turns, weighing all my options, considering what I want other characters to do on their turns, noting who's turn comes when, both mine and my enemy's. Maybe I got lucky. I encountered the hag at level 4, so I was as prepared as a could be. The beholder almost killed me, but I pulled out some cheese. I cast fog and hid in the cloud. Most of the enemies durped out, and I was able to pop out, shoot 'em, then hide again. The phase spider matriarch I encountered at level 3. She almost wiped me out, but I was able to get away. It was an epic battle of inching further towards the exit while being swarmed by her children. It's sad that they don't respawn. What should be an epic encounter is made simpler with cheese. Oh well. That's the spider queen in a nutshell, I guess.
