The gameplay isn't necessarily bad but this is being marketed as a Dragon Age game with 90% of lore and depth missing from the other games.
May as well just be a new spin off for children learning the controls and world, even an introduction.
There's also no real reason Rook is in charge? What authority, depth, story or growth do they have to earn that position or title. Varric just found this guy miraculously and he's apparantly great and can simply be a leader? Consider Alistair's growth in the previous game that allowed him to be a capable warrior in charge. You feel and see him earn his place. Another complexity that's missing so glaringly.
Varric also makes no mention of Hawke?
There's a lot of over explanation as well as if we're slow and don't understand basic game storyline or concepts. It sounds like teenagers in a YA fantasy novel discovering and discussing their options so that you, the slow to learn player, apparently, can also follow along.
Story puzzles are a bit of a joke and sound like Dora the Explorer is explaining it to you, 'pick up this floating crystal with a marker and put it here next to the other marker to finish the puzzle! Great job!'
There is far too much leading from other characters. Exploration to discover next steps is a great way to enjoy a game and that just doesn't exist here.
Wow, how dark and gritty a dialogue with gore and violence like the previous games. These choices have no real consequence or real complexity.
This isn't even a bad standalone game in its own universe and concept but you're taking a wonderfully dark and beautiful series which questions morals and ethics in your choices, that your character has to live with, and making it an assisted infantised version that you'd offer to players who can't go past a PG13+ warning.
Creature or race appearance is so random in the character selection too. Why do they swing their axes and hammers like anime characters? Keep it realistic at least.
And to the people saying that the 1 stars are neckbeards who hate the woke agenda, no they're really not. No one cares to have an agenda shoved in their face regardless of the source.
You aren't special for your sexuality or gender. BG3 did an excellent job of having that world involved in the game without it being an agenda that you must accept and if you don't you're a neck beard gamer.
Additionally, this is something that was well achieved with a game like Witcher 3 which stood well as a stand alone game, included lore, but was able to hold its own with out hand holding the player.
How pathetic to say that real complaints and feedback are because of close minded people. This is a game, be who you want to be but don't force it at people.
Also they don't even mention Morrigans son after 3 full games building up to back story of the old gods. Why are they wiping so much lore. This is hand in hand with so many writers wanting to put in their own concept. Just develop your own game at this rate.
There was real potential for this game to continue the dragon age legacy and it fell flat on its face. Stop trying to deny it.