Mixed feelings about that - it sounds like you can still access those features so I don’t think it really affects the base game at all. From what I remember about the first game, you had to be sparing on the waystones to start with, and it required a bit of work to get the item necessary to redo your character - so not much has really changed there. On the other hand, adding these microtransactions in the first place is a stupid idea and the publishers are shooting themselves in the foot by adding them.

From what I’ve read, it seems to be a compromise to me. I imagine the dev team didn’t want to do it but compromised with the publisher and in reality they probably don’t want you to buy the dlc, as it defeats some of the design decisions. There’s a good pcmag article detailing the dlc and how impactful it is. My guess is that the general opinion of any reviewers would remain the same regardless (with the context of the pcmag article).

I scrolled through the mtx and… there is literally nothing in there that anyone should ever buy. Exception for the character redesign item, but if this is like first game, you can redesign your character between playthroughs.

I feel like there’s some kinda argument here between the director and whatever suit wanted mtx. That stuff in the store is literally pointless to buy. RC? People will rent your pawn, that’s how you get it. Wakestones? Gold in game.

Only thing I’d consider buying would be the eternal ferrystone, but that defeats the flow of the game, and they aren’t selling it.