This game feels like a passing of the Western RPG torch from BioWare to Larian, and what better way to mark this transition than with a Larian take on the series that put BioWare on the map. The writing is incredible and is elevated by what may be the best video game acting that I have ever seen. RPGs live and die on the strength of their party characters, and with few exceptions this game's core cast, as well as most of the side characters, are some of the best realized and most memorable in video games. Each act could stand alone and would still have been incredible, and each carries a distinct tone and narrative that keeps things fresh over the roughly 70-hour game. The sandbox it provides in terms of abilities, especially with spells and magic items, allows for an almost immersive sim quality. It also works exceptionally well in multiplayer.