Christopher James Underwood (Newshub) explains why Sword Coast Legends is a diamond in the rough:

Game Review: Sword Coast Legends

We're not in Neverwinter any more (well, not yet at least.)

I've spent pretty much an entire decade waiting for a new D&D game to be released. I'd even go so far as to say that the lack of such a game left a hole in my life; a hole that nothing, not even vengeance (shameless Once Upon A Time reference) could fill. Well maybe not, but you get the point! Some might argue that Obsidian Entertainment's Pillars of Eternity could be considered a more than worthy attempt at filling such a void, and whilst that game was great (thanks mostly to its nostalgia-provoking style and mechanics) it obviously wasn't a D&D game. But right here, right now, at long last I have actually found something to scratch that incessant adventuring itch; and that something is N-Space's Sword Coast Legends.

Taking place in what is assuredly one of the most popular fantasy settings ever conceived, Sword Coast Legends has been designed from the ground up as part of ongoing efforts to expand and improve the 5th Edition product line of the Dungeons and Dragons ruleset. Built to tie in with the launch of the Rage of Demons campaign, this game is nothing short of love letter to the classic games that inspired it. It offers players one of the most well-crafted and confidently designed RPG experiences available on the market at the moment.

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Over the course of this review I've probably sounded suspiciously positive about this game in the face of the otherwise near-universal disdain shown for it because it wasn't the second coming of Neverwinter Nights. Well, just like the return of Christ, that's never going to happen and people should stop expecting it to. Is this game perfect? Not by any means, but no game ever is, especially in this day and age where post-launch patching and overhauls are an industry rule rather than the infrequent exception they once were.

Despite a few minor flaws (most of which have either been imagined or blown way out of proportion by more vocal commentators) this game is a diamond in the rough: one that is definitely worthy of your attention and your time. I have faith that N-Space is going to maintain a steady stream of updates and content expansions to build upon the solid foundation that they've already established. Whether you're a tabletop D&D enthusiast new to the digital format or a seasoned CRPG veteran with even an ounce of patience, then you should share that faith. I wholeheartedly suggest that you give this game a try, even if you've been put off by the negative press surrounding it. You might find that you actually like it despite of what you've been told, and discovering the unexpected is what being an adventurer-at-heart is all about.