I have spent 20+ hours in early access and then 200+ hours on release.

It is a good game. Not a great game as there are some choices and mechanics I do not personally like but it is still a good game. In the end I was in it for the story, though, I think I would struggle with a second play through. I played a solo game with a custom character. I tried to play the same character I had done in previous Baldur's Gate. A high elf sorcerer with Dragon Heritage. It fit but a lot of the character mechanics I loved in previous titles were not there.

That's not to say the game isn't fun. I was. I enjoyed but I just don't see myself putting another 200+ hours into a second play through. Speaking with friends, they have similar experiences, meaning the game doesn't offer a great change of variety in the story. I managed to gather 9 of 10 companions and complete their stories to the best of my ability.

I would give this game a 9/10 score for gameplay, story and overall experience. Think of it in value. You go to the cinema and pay £20 for a 3 hour experience worth of content. You spend £50 on this game and you have close to 200 hours of content. Its full of value that said I don't think these enough content for a second play through.

I chose what I consider after playing the selfless good path, despite my choices to be a ♥♥♥♥ 90% of the time. Yet I was still the hero, regardless of my methods and less than heroic actions (murdering an entire village), everyone still liked me and the genocide ignored.

I considered playing a more evil character, killing companions and the like but after reading up on it, I don't see the point. The companions and related stories are part of the content, killing them off is robbing yourself of the game. So, overall this game is worth your time but I don't see any re-playability unless your some sort of completionist achievement seeker or are playing for a muck around with friends.

[Spoilers ahead]

One of the highlights of the game was at the end. All the allies and people I have helped during my goody play through granted me a number of NPCs at the end. I was a little choked up seeing those I have helped and wonder if I hadn't off helped them, who would have turned up.

It made the end very fun, very simple and entertaining as I could call upon dozens of NPCs to join my in battle and it was glorious. There's nothing like an Angel and a Devil fighting side by side or the City Watch fighting alongside criminal thugs. It was like a proper DnD Session with dozens of characters taking their turn as I waited for my characters to take their turns. Pretty epic and a strong sense of achievement as the efforts you made in game pay off.

I don't know if everyone had the same experience as I am pretty sure they would have had the same ending fighting the bad guys on the Elder Brain.