I don’t mind the new art direction but it sounds like they’ve done away with most of the actual exploration elements and roleplaying in favor of handholding. Maybe they were just aiming for a younger audience or something?
I think Baulder’s Gate 3 has really ruined a lot of new RPGs for me. 🤷 Thanks a lot Larian for making a game so good it fucked up an entire genre.
What probably happened is Corporate
overlordsleadership opted for an easier-to-create game direction while also attempting to diversify the game’s base. Basically, and I may be eating my words as we learn more about the game, I’d expect them to have reduced the cost to create while also attempting to increase profit.I base this off of other games which have attempted similar feats, and I’m not sure of a single one that was part of a larger series that has turned out well.
As just someone from the outside looking in, this game is so confusing. On one hand you have journalist sites praising this game and throwing 10/10 around like crazy and on the other you have a review like this that is critical of the game and points out (for me) very blatant faults. Do the points presented by SkillUp not matter to the average game journalist? Or is that something they actually seek in an immersive RPG experience? I’m just so lost on how it can actually be given a 10/10 after seeing this review.
For what it’s worth, the two people I know who are playing this game were fans of the previous games and absolutely love the new one.
It’s been at least 20 years since video game “journalists” or “critics” were actually honest. Companies will blacklist anyone that doesn’t write a positive review for their games, so everything published before or on release day is advertising.
If you want honest reviews you need to wait 24-48 hours after release for real reviews. If you actually want opinions from those that completed a game you need to wait even longer.
Imo it’s just that SkillUp is a good reviewer and many others are not.
When BF2042 was released many big papers said it was super good when it was utter garbage.
Either go the metacritic way and average things out or stick to a few reviewers you know share your taste.
I’ve watched a couple of his videos and he’s just my style. A lot of his points are just not important to me and that’s okay. Find a reviewer that matches your profile.
I think it’s interesting how highly people speak of him but strongly disagree with some of his recommendations in Gaming subreddits. Tho that might be because his reviews to these games are just well written.
He gives a lot of detail as to why he likes or doesn’t like various things, so you can determine for yourself if they’re important to you or not. SKillUp is my favorite reviewer, and I definitely don’t agree with him on all his takes.
He’s usually on point but I don’t always agree with him personally. Still, it’s easy to decide because he usually makes a point of telling why he likes/dislikes something. People have differing opinions on the same things and that’s okay. Great review, as usual.
Two groups will 10/10 this game: access journalists and agenda-driven journalists. Everyone else is going to be a bit more critical, especially considering Baldur’s Gate 3 exists and is still fresh.
Not watching because spoilers. I’m definitely going to play it. I’m worried it is not going to meet expectations but I have heard from people who have early access and they say it’s fine. I didn’t want them to elaborate.
Keep in mind most game releases piss people off, especially in popular franchises. I mean, there are people who hated Skyrim and that’s unfathomable to me.
So I take these reviews with a huge grain of salt right now. Ask me again on Saturday how it’s going.
Gotta say I don’t like the art direction though. Blech. And I was a Solavellan so I’m already pissed off by what I gleaned from the preview trailer.
I’m trying to remain optimistic but I feel those who are undecided should wait for reviews after the full release.
Edit: it’s not going well. I’m hoping it gets better.
There is a very clear spoiler section in the review, easy to skip. It’s not looking too good so far though sadly.
You know something is awry when “Shill Up” doesn’t recommend.
