Interesting, I had a very similar experience. I loved exploring the world, gaining new powers to unlock even more areas and growing stronger along the way. The world felt alive and authentic. Traversal was fun and combat was fair. I also liked how the characters you randomly meet have their own journeys, making the world feel dynamic.
But as the ending approached, it lost some momentum. With such a vast world and so much to discover, getting from A to B to C took time. I never actually finished the game but somehow that felt fine. It was more about the journey than the destination, which is rare for me.
If the initial reviews are good, the sequel might be the first game I buy at full price in a long time.
I’m playing this game for the first time right now. It’s safe to say that it captivated me. The world they created is astonishing. Even after well over 50 hours I’m not bored at all.
Your post really captures the beauty that can be found if one takes the time to look. Thank you for your relentless posting!