Ok, I absolutely love this game. If there is one game I would recommend to kill time with this particular year this game would be it.

First before I get into the specifics here are two helpful links one is a playthrough in case you get stuck and the other is crafting and information site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1XQbInXeqI&list=PLrDx_gq2DCNJTk3knEr8GcEJcxu8jnqaK&index=82

https://divinityoriginalsin2.wiki.fextralife.com/Recipes

Where to begin? This game is an RPG party based game with turned based tactics.
Pros:
* Story: In the past when I have played games like this I would find myself getting impatient with the story, skipping dialog. Not here. The overarching story is compelling. The side stories are some of the best part of the game. There were times when i realized I had been playing for 1/2 an hour or more and had no combat...and I did not mind.
* Graphics. The graphics for this type of game is the best out there. Great quality.
* Music. Any truly legendary RPG has to have a fantastic score. Frequently people in the house who listened to me play would comment on how great the music is. Anytime there is an emotional attachment to the music the developer has succeeded.
* Combat: It is not easy and it is not overwhelming. You have to plan/prepare for your combat. I found the combat to be fresh throughout the whole game. The item, magic and skills used in combat are all equally important.
* replayability: I cant wait to restart again as a new character. There are even multi-player options that i have not got into yet.
* Character development: there are tons of individual choices to be made for each character. When you level up you can put points into attributes, skills, character, traits. You dont level up a lot in the game so you have to wise with your points. Great customization when setting up the game.

con:
* Crafting: there is crafting included in the game and in the early part it is necessary? The armor, and weapons that you can craft are minimally useful in the beginning of the game. Now the crafting for spells, arrows, potions, and grenades is useful all game
*arifacts: enough interest to keep me switching armor and weapons but there is no great treasure find. Not like a diablo II find.


Overall: this is the best of it Genre. I give it 95%.

Helpful tips:
You cannot craft blank spell books. You will be able to by them later in the ActII and then can use scrolls to make spells (if it is corresponding type of spell i.e. fire=fire.
Use the two links I posted they can help.