I like this game a lot. Ive played it since 8.4.2 version.
Reason not give five stars ill start with:
Game is constantly buggy. Either of big or small amount depending of the releases.
Most commonly, when a bigger change in the game is implemented, it reflects game stability.
Game have constant clipping. In the walls, trees, rocks whatsoever. MC clip, NPCS and creatures also..
Texture drop is still present, but much less than before.
Even H scenes have clipping.
Triggers and events status reset.
Does not matter is it quest, marker, location, relation or so. For all of them in some moment or another, the status is reset for reason unknown and You have to restart it.
Recent versions have huge performance problem with video memory leaks.
Now with other side of the coin : ) (or the right side of the Logo)
First thing, which catch right after game start, is music. It is awesome and give huge influence over the game.
Game have very complicated, but very productive character modeller. Patience is necessary to work with, but result is quite OK.
There is large open world with huge influence from first Gothic with some Nordic elements. Music mentioned above, also brings much to this Nordic feelings.
I like a lot, how game evolves and how RowDarknes leads it. Especially recent changes on the skills and attribute system, based on practise. It will be great if this system evolves further.
(Some relation to Morrowind (best IMO rpg ever
)
Crafting, survive system, which works as a benefit, instead as limitation, environment reflection over gameplay.. Everything is highly attractive and addicted.
Developer is quite positive guy, from what i've read as his comments. Have intention to do his best as much as he can.
One of the most addictive and meaningful H systems in the such type of game, which i ever played.
Not just some animation. Animation itself in the game is not that good, neither that bad either. Suffers from game curse - clipping.
Some personal thoughts/prefs
It will be great, if there is deeper story and more quests
Some locations as village, or barbaric camp could be safe places.
People over the island to be more active. Some creature come to attack You in the village and no one reacts.
In the night ambushes if MC is in the village, beats start to attack everybody and people there get lost forever
More interaction with the NPCs. Like Building together a wall around village, or having intercourse
Building system - it is very good as intention, but as buildings have some HP they disappear over time. Also if build a house for example it is bigger that already available ones.
Old armour design was better IMO. Especially steel which had that Nordic vision also : )
Water life. As of now there are only fishes near the starting point. And Pine trees and Cactuses on the seabed seems like harbinger of the Great Flood : )
H system to have more reflection over the game play. As now it depends on practice, it could evolve on the possibility of have interaction with larger creatures instead of just levelling
Some group interactions not only solo.
Game is not easy to play, by all means. Good amount of patience is necessary to play it. Even more with last release(s).
But in the same time have so huge potential, that very limited number of other games have..