This game has blown my expectations for what an RPG should be. I have been so tired of the hand holding generation of gaming we have today and to see a game that ACTUALLY rewards your grind and learning of combo's is refreshing. My first few hours of this game was BRUTAL to say the least. I got my butt handed to me by bandits left and right and could not figure out what i was doing wrong then it hit me... I AM NOT THE HERO. I am just Henry of Skalitz. I need to train and gain Strength for more powerful attacks, Vitality for more stamina for swings, armor so I can prevent injury and bleeds and most importantly a pouch on my belt to hold a potion or two (depending on the belt up to 4) so i can back off and drink to heal. Learning this took my own reading, my own experience in the game. The tutorial system sometimes helped but it did NOT help like modern hold hand games we have today.
Exploration is breathtaking... this game is by far a goldmine when it comes to finding storytelling in the form of random finds and I MEAN RANDOM. There are so many hidden items that are not on the map as points of interest! One of those examples are Luffy's hat from one piece! So many references and fun finds by just skipping the road and fast travel and having your own side adventure!
Replay value? I am on my second playthrough because I did not get all the side quests done on my first time through. I put in 82 hrs on my first time through and this time I am taking the time to see the sights along with doing the quests. The achievements at the very least REQUIRE you to do a second playthrough if you want to 100% but trust me its not going to be hard the main story can be rushed through in any playstyle in about 34hrs if you want to watch and read all the cutscenes.

Final thoughts?
This game has blown my mind in expectations of what a game can achieve when love meets creative writing and good development. There are still a good amount of bugs in ACT II (Kuttenburg Area) but nothing breaking immersion. I love the complexity of combat and the unforgiving nature of what the game has to offer. I hope the DLC keeps coming and if the fire of the anvil is hot enough they make a third game. If this isn't game of the year I will be highly disappointed. If I could give more money to this game I would just to tip and support what I believe the gaming should be getting back to. 10/10