Fallout 4 takes the franchise in a direction reminiscent of Skyrim, with a hint of Borderlands thrown into the mix. However, comparing it directly to Skyrim proves challenging—while Fallout 4's gameplay may lack depth, its immersion factor is undeniable. It's not quite comparable to other open-world WRPGs like The Witcher 3 or Dragon Age: Origins; they're different beasts entirely. The Elder Scrolls series, including Skyrim, has a unique charm that Fallout 4 can't quite match.

Unfortunately, Fallout 4 falls short in several aspects, particularly its conflicts, events, quests, and the overall world-building. It feels more like playing an MMO at times, with side quests lacking depth and motivation. Quests often boil down to clearing out enemy bases without much narrative or plot development. For example, the Brotherhood of Steel's side quests can feel repetitive and uninspired, with little meaningful interaction beyond generic tasks and rewards.

Comparing this to Fallout: New Vegas, where even seemingly trivial tasks at the Mojave Outpost can reveal intricate plotlines and internal conflicts within factions, Fallout 4's quests feel lackluster. The rewards for completing quests often feel minimal, consisting mainly of a handful of caps that hardly seem worth the effort.

Even after just two hours of play, the flaws in Fallout 4's storytelling become apparent. The narrative structure feels disjointed, with abrupt transitions from major events to seemingly inconsequential tasks. The protagonist's rapid acquisition of power armor and defeating a Deathclaw with ease feels jarring and lacks the sense of progression seen in previous titles. Additionally, the perk system fails to resonate, lacking the depth and impact of its predecessors.

Overall, while Fallout 4 attempts to capture the essence of its predecessors while incorporating new elements, it ultimately falls short in delivering a cohesive and engaging experience. The game's shortcomings in storytelling, quest design, and progression hinder its ability to truly immerse players in the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout.

I recently completed Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition after pouring over 100 hours into it. I started with a dual lonewolves build but eventually switched to a 4-party setup with Ifan, Lohse, Sabille, and Fane. The game proved to be challenging yet addicting—I played on classic difficulty but switched to explorer when Fort Joy became too daunting. The game heavily relies on player creativity, offering countless ways to overcome challenges, whether through strategic planning or clever cheese tactics like collecting oil barrels for upcoming fights or abusing teleportation.

One of the game's strengths is its freedom for respec, allowing me to experiment with different builds and synergies between party members. However, the equipment scaling issue—where finding gear appropriate for my level was a struggle due to random drops—and the flawed implementation of the crafting system were notable downsides.

I thoroughly enjoyed the game's lore, especially revelations about the truth behind the seven gods, the God King, Fane, demons, Lucian, and more. The morally gray characters and their desperate struggles added depth to the story, surpassing the original Divinity: Original Sin in my opinion. However, the game's narrative suffered due to limitations imposed by the player character's choices. For example, being unable to hear Fane's conversations with other Eternals within the same party felt like a missed opportunity.

The need to replay the game multiple times due to missed storylines related to non-party characters killed before Act 2 was frustrating. Additionally, the endings felt flat, reminiscent of Fallout slides but lacking the impact.

Despite its flaws, Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition captures the essence of old-school RPGs with improved writing and storytelling. Its gameplay shines as one of the best in the turn-based genre, even if the narrative feels lacking at times.

Honestly, I'm feeling somewhat drained from playing this game, much like my experience with Doom yesterday. The constant search for keys to unlock doors and the repetitive combat, where I ended up relying mostly on a sword, have left me feeling weary. Additionally, the lack of variety in enemies, especially the absence of mini-bosses or other challenges, contributes to the monotony.

And don't even get me started on the mobs in the final stage – what's up with that?

The only aspect that I find truly enjoyable is the witty banter and humor exchanged between Lo Wang and Hoji. Their interactions add a refreshing touch to an otherwise lackluster experience. Surprisingly, when the story takes a more serious turn, it actually becomes less engaging, further dampening my enthusiasm for the game.