Hiya,
M3ntir - I wouldn't say I am new to the game as I have played it a few times before. But I see where you're coming from and happy add my five cents, in case it helps.
On my last playthrough, I got as far as getting Breanna into the silly pink outfit after clearing out Tepes. Not sexy, but worth it for the laugh.
That time, too, I played through rapidly and found myself wandering around like a lost fart in a thunderstorm, passing time and waiting for stuff to happen (mostly waiting on births), so I shelved it without completing further quests.
By the way, I had no idea, until stumbling across this site several years ago, that pregnancy was such a fetish for some. This game, though, is next level for that. At least, in this case, you have (good?) reason for getting all the ladies in the family way. Want to be mayor? (goblin) King? Friend of giants? Devilish disciple? Then sow your oats, young man!
As to the start of the game - well, I enjoy playing it, overall. I have cursed Tinkerer many times, mind (may the fleas of a thousand spavined camels infest your nethers, infidel!). But, that's just the way the game is structured. And it is unique - the MC has questionable morals, he isn't a godly all-smiting hero. He's an average joe (peasant) trying to get by in a tough old world. There isn't some world-altering geas or a kingdom to conquer. And Tinkerer has done a great job, I think, of fleshing out the locale and its inhabitants.
The timewasting gets me down at times - at some stage, can't I just one-shot a boar reliably? Do I have to run out of puff in the middle of raiding a cave? Why the fuck are there so many spiders?!! Again, though, these are part of the mechanics that make the game unique.
If there is anything I would suggest, it might be a "run-away" mechanic (for certain stages, at least). For instance, when you are first raiding the goblin forest (dead gobs = free ears - nice!) and Shakala jumps you, you invariably get your arse handed to you. As you have little chance of surviving her until you bulk up or get lucky, it would be nice to have a "run-away" option instead of dying repeatedly.
Also, to progress with Ziva, you have to raid the spider cave without a cure poison potion. Admittedly, I turn off lighting effects in the cave, so I have some reaction time (otherwise, the spiders are on you before you know it). The only way I get through this phase is save-scumming and dying repeatedly.
Then there's the Kroggoth - when I get to him, I have a sword and a shield (from spider cave) plus a couple potions. In my current playthrough, I did this on day 7. Again, lots of dying and save-scumming. I can appreciate taking time and building up strength but you need to get Shakala producing babies asap!
So, I feel that there might be a little imbalance between getting certain quests started as quickly as possible and your ability to complete them. Plus, with Shakala/goblins, getting to 60 goblins might take a very long time, depending on how many births per litter. I have taken to saving the night before Shakala/Sequoia give birth, then repeating start of next day to get maximum of 10 births per litter plus a baby girl as soon as possible.
My pet hate? Bats and mosquitos! The animations for these take so long, I can make a coffee and put the washing on while waiting for my turn to smite them. Timewasting, such as this and the varying goblin litter sizes mentioned above, seems egregious at times and detracts from the enjoyment.
I could waffle on for some time, as the game is very engaging, but will keep to a final point. The game starts off at a nice pace but the quests start to come a bit thick and fast after some time. I am currently on Day 45 and have just become Mayor. I've got Castle Tepes to sort out, goblin daughter being born, Ziva + Caleah pregnant, Alice needs discipline, Venomina about to birth her first egg, a wedding to attend, Liandra's about to pop, Tom's got a gambling problem - I mean, come on! What's a guy gotta do to get a break around here?