Just finished my second playthrough of the base game and first time through the DLCs. The base game is largely about as great as I remember it—quality drops off somewhat towards the end, and you can tell when something was meant to be expanded upon but had to be cut down and shipped for time reasons (cough cough Reason of State cough cough) but overall engrossing and thoughtfully conceived.
Hearts of Stone is my favorite of the two DLCs purely based on vibes. It's that Brothers Grimm style bleak folk tale energy amped up to 11, with great character building and atmosphere.
Blood and Wine was also cool. Toussaint's storybook beauty is certainly a change of pace from bleak Velen, seedy Novigrad, and ruggedly scenic Skellige. Main quest is interesting, love my boy Regis, and even knowing he's a fictional character it makes me happy that Geralt gets to retire and hang out in beautiful wine country with his partner (team Yen btw). Even went and watched the 10 year anniversary video after finishing and it was very :bloomer:
Now I'm gonna replay Thronebreaker since I've got it on steam now and am thoroughly gwent pilled again. Then maybe perfecting my Fallout Tale of Two Wastelands modlist and finally experiencing Fallout 3??
To each their own! White Orchard is definitely a slow start. I think the game really comes into its own with the Bloody Baron questline
Yeah, that's exactly what I've heard before, but I've just never been able to stick with it that far.
Bloody Baron is when everything clicked for me