The most realistic role-playing game I have ever played. Not five stars since the pacing of the third act was rushed. For my first blind playthrough, I played in Hardcore mode. I loved not having a player icon on the map and having to look around my surroundings to know where to go. I am so happy this is an actual role-playing game first and action game second, which is hard to come by in the industry. Every quest has an optional way of completing it. The skills you have are important and can change the outcome of some quests. It feels good accomplishing goals in the game, like learning how to read, getting better at hunting, making potions, and sneaking around stealing stuff. The dialogue system has depth, the 'A Woman's Lot' DLC with Johanka is fantastic, and the monastery questline is the peak where every mechanic and system in the game comes together to make a high quality setpiece.