I played the first game for approximately 10 hours, hoping that it would eventually hook me, because I have always loved Obsidian games. But everything looked so bland, typical and uninteresting. Nothing caught my attention. The setting, level design, lore - everything felt not that particularly engaging.
Then I decided to give the second part a chance, because I heard massive praise from a friend who was also dissatisfied with the first part. Just like my friend, I was pleasantly surprised.
Perhaps the main reason is that I really like the setting of the second part. I was so tired of endless fantasy RPGs with the overused aesthetics of medieval Europe, that such a naval setting with the spirit of filibusters and a bit of Polynesian/Maori-esque culture almost immediately sunk into my soul and interested me in a full-fledged exploration of these seas. It's been a long time since I've seen such a refreshingly original setting for a fantasy RPG.
I also liked the plot and characters. The main plot conflict was especially intense, raising the questions of true significance of godly deities in human life and true value of faith.
Then I decided to give the second part a chance, because I heard massive praise from a friend who was also dissatisfied with the first part. Just like my friend, I was pleasantly surprised.
Perhaps the main reason is that I really like the setting of the second part. I was so tired of endless fantasy RPGs with the overused aesthetics of medieval Europe, that such a naval setting with the spirit of filibusters and a bit of Polynesian/Maori-esque culture almost immediately sunk into my soul and interested me in a full-fledged exploration of these seas. It's been a long time since I've seen such a refreshingly original setting for a fantasy RPG.
I also liked the plot and characters. The main plot conflict was especially intense, raising the questions of true significance of godly deities in human life and true value of faith.