This was an experience. I don't usually write reviews for games, even my favorite ones, but I write reviews for books, and this game felt like a book to me.


First, I want to say how incredibly developed most of the story is, particularly the lifelike portrayal of the characters. The voice acting sets a new standard, arguably the best across all games, given the extensive voice work throughout. Even minor characters are voiced with excellence. The gameplay was something completely new to me, as I've never played DnD nor any game of this playstyle before. I was weirded out by the combat at the start, but as time passed and I managed to kill a formidable boss by distracting it with a cat. Needless to say, I fell in love with the combat. This game offers unparalleled freedom, allowing players to explore various paths, each with its own beauty. Also, story-wise, so many characters say some genuinely profound quotes that left me pondering for hours. LOTR is probably my favorite movie series, and fantasy books are my favorite genre to read; this game provided me with that immersion while giving me the choice to shape the story in almost any direction I wanted. Playing through the Creche during Act 1, accompanied by the music of Mountain Pass, felt like experiencing Fellowship of The Ring in game form.

The music, in particular, deserves commendation—it stands among the best I've encountered across all forms of media, not just in video games. I was flabbergasted to learn that most of the ambient tracks haven't even been officially released. Kudos to Borislav Slavov for the incredible soundtrack; I'll always remember him and what he made me feel with his music.

Acts 1 & 2 are nearly flawless. Act 1 was polished to impossible magnitudes; every side quest was lovable, every location was there for a solid reason, every enemy, every character, especially the Creche and Underdark parts. I haven't felt so excited for a game as I was during playing Act 1 since forever. Then, Act 2 surpassed it for me and became my favorite. I was drawn to its eerie, mysterious, and dark ambiance, which constantly reminded me that I didn't belong there. Amidst the darkness, stumbling upon a brightly lit inn, where goodness prevailed against all odds, the last frontier of humanity, it left a lasting, hopeful impact. Lastly, The villain of Act 2 was built up for 60 hours and delivered every single ounce of it.

"I have a price to pay for my power; it will cost me your life…for my own, I have already paid."


Throughout the first half of the game, I was astonished and was sure this is the most perfect game ever made, but it really does have its issues. The issues showed in Act 3. It felt like an entirely different game, marred by performance issues and a rushed, unpolished plot. Certain plotlines, including that of the guardian, felt forced, inserted merely for the sake of a twist. The pacing felt off, and the quests lacked coherence. The world is in imminent danger of being completely destroyed, but meanwhile, you can halt all of that and go exorcise a possessed individual, searching for clues around the city. Why not, I guess?


Bugs became noticeable towards the end of Act 2, and by Act 3, they rendered the game almost unplayable at times. I found myself restarting frequently during Act 3. Not only were there strange battles where waiting for turns dragged on for 5 minutes, but they were also plagued with bugs. I refrained from using many spells, including summons, due to their buggy and game-breaking nature. Even pets were affected. The ultimate disappointment came during the final fight, which I had hoped would be more polished. Instead, it was riddled with switcheroo bugs that made watching the fights impossible. It was an absolutely dreadful experience.

Another frustrating issue was the romance aspect. Like, I want to hug Gale, as a friend, or Wyll, I do not want to have sex with them. Not everyone I hug is someone I want to be intimate with, nor does showing kindness to someone necessarily indicate romantic feelings. The whole dynamic felt forced, leading me to make decisions I otherwise wouldn't have made just to avoid unintentionally initiating a romance.


This game is truly remarkable, perhaps one of the best ever created. It had the potential to be even greater, I believe, if the final act received the same level of care, attention to detail, and polish as Acts 1 and 2. Nevertheless, despite its flaws, it remains an incredible experience. It's certain to hold a place in my top 5 games of all time. I'd rate it a solid 9/10. As for its shortcomings, maybe they get tackled with a definitive edition in the future, and it will become a 10/10? Well, hopefully.

"Am I happy? I don't know. But I am Hope, and I persist because of you."