Update, finished the game now.
I was further through than I thought - chapter 1 is very frontloaded with content.
The later game is much easier than the early game if you end up exploring everything, and the faction story beats feel pretty rote - the NPCs explain exactly what you're going to do, and then you do it with no real surprises or twists. That said, the game still shines in its side content and exploration, and I had a great time overall.

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Haven't felt this immersed in a game for this long in forever. Tight worldbuilding, writing is characterful while staying to the point. Combat is fierce but not punishing, I've never felt stuck. The setting and the allegiance mechanism reminds me of the spiderweb rpgs, which can only be a good thing. I can't be more than a third of the way through the game and it's already well, well worth its full price.

Update, finished the game now. I was further through than I thought - chapter 1 is very frontloaded with content. The later game is much easier than the early game if you end up exploring everything, and the faction story beats feel pretty rote - the NPCs explain exactly what you're going to do, and then you do it with no real surprises or twists. That said, the game still shines in its side content and exploration, and I had a great time overall. --- Haven't felt this immersed in a game for this long in forever. Tight worldbuilding, writing is characterful while staying to the point. Combat is fierce but not punishing, I've never felt stuck. The setting and the allegiance mechanism reminds me of the spiderweb rpgs, which can only be a good thing. I can't be more than a third of the way through the game and it's already well, well worth its full price.