I feel I should point out that I am heavily biased with this game and as some here know I tend to react more on an emotional level when it comes to my passions.
None of my gaming friends are playing this game and only one has any interest because they played Kingmaker, but they are busy with XCOM and Warhammer right now - so its not on their big list.
Anyhow this kind of game, like BG, hits all the right notes for me while also being modern and current in design and technology (which probably also brings more bugs with it - the more complicated something gets the more likely hood of issues).
I could go on at length, and I can be very wordy, about the two games but 'nuff said.
I love options in games especially when it comes to making my own character - race, class, background, skills, perks, and this game has all that. Plus animal companions, epic story … I can't tell you how many times I have just sat and watched the butterflies around my character.
Not because they are butterflies … can't say that is really my thing … but because of the way the game shows progression visually in the paths you take. Not to mention I get a big smile every time I find a new place I can cause nature to take hold. Even though the power comes from Azata it feels perfect for my follower of Gozreh. Random, chaotic, natural.
I also like being able to play his role. As an example he can turn into a wolf, leopard, bear, and soon a simoldon (sp??) ... and the latter three are all more powerful than the wolf especially since he is fully specced into the natural claw path of the feral champion warpriest. Yet he is part wolf and changing shape to any shape other than a wolf simply feels wrong, so I pretty much pretend I don't have those options and only use the wolf one.
Rambling, as usual. Anyhow I understand the criticisms even though I am loving the game myself