Recent reviews by dwsnee

Roleplay a shapeshifting ecoterrorist. Make meaningful consequential decisions that determine character (tribe, auspice, pack) and outcome. You have to know what you're getting yourself into. If you're not looking for heavy reading over a few-hour playthrough, you'll be disappointed. But, if you're into sophisticated and contemporary supernatural lore, you can't do better than World of Darkness. And the execution of the licensing is amazing.

As far as where it falls on the spectrum of interactive fiction, music and art make it more than the choice-based narrative games like "Night Road." It does not have the animation and timed key strokes of Tell Tale's "Walking Dead" or "Wolf Among Us." It's closest to Draw Distance's Vampire the Masquerade (also World of Darkness) games "Coteries of New York" and "Shadows of New York." If you enjoyed either of those, this is for you.

-Mist, Ragabash Bone Gnawer of the Winter Weasel pack

Lots to say. Lots to like. Big impressions:

1) Despite being fantasy, game choices don't award stupid. Not the kind of game where you can walk into the front door of an enemy encampment and beat all odds. Or where you can say something stupid and not suffer consequences. But it is the kind of game that will allow you to say something stupid.
2) Complex morality. Do you kill a monster when you find out it has cubs? Do you kill the cub if you kill the monster? It might starve or grow into a monster. Do you kill the cub if you adopt it and it kills your dog? Will you torture for information just to find out subject doesn't have any? What will you do if you interrupt troll sex?
3) Multiple approaches to all problems. Notoriously difficult series. Save LOTS.
4) Complex and meaningful character customization.
5) Fleshed out NPCs--not just party members. World populated with flawed, fluid characters with arcs and goals. Not all of them say thank you.
6) Do not feel compelled to exhaust all dialogue options. There are some games where you mindlessly click through everything. There will be consequences. Sometimes, don't ask; don't say it.
7) Classic Larian humor.
8) Rewarding combat mechanics and difficulty.
9) Controlled chaos. Let the dice roll. Don't worry if you don't always make the roll. It's better that way.
10) Dragons and mindflayers, oh my! Rich D&D fantasy world you know and love. So much going on.

If you like D&D, CRPGS, fantasy, fun, or funniness, give this one a try.
*You don't have to have played earlier games.
**There's a steep learning curve, but it's worth it.