Dear Warhorse Studios,
Please do NOT change the lockpicking or save system.
It is refreshing to have a game in which there is actually a bit of skill required to successfully lockpick. Combined with the save system, the challenging lock-picking requires one to assess the risk of losing lockpicks with the difficulty of the lock. You cannot just constantly reload saves whenever you break a pick. In a small but important way, It helps reinforce the notion that there are consequences for your actions.
In regards to the save system, the fact that Savior Schnapps are required to save your progress(aside from sleeping and other autosaves) adds an enjoyable bit of tension to the combat. Assuming you don’t have 20 Savior Schnapps(and even if you do, you have to purchase or make them all again), you actually have to carefully plan out how you are going to do something, and again, must assess risk vs. reward, and cannot just reload your quick save from five seconds ago whenever you are killed, as you can in games like Skyrim.
It brings a great sense of accomplishment when you clear a camp of Cumans or survive a battle, knowing that if you didn’t, Father Time would have punished you accordingly. You must think if you wish to avoid his scythe. I can’t stress enough how much this adds to the tension and sense of reward. Just imagine how much less rewarding, challenging, and tense Dark Souls(or any difficult game, for that matter) would be if you could save whenever you felt like it, around every corner; the same is true here.
The little things are the big things, and, in my opinion, These two features are quite fitting, and add a lot to the gameplay in regards to risk, reward, tension, and sense of accomplishment. I believe that removing or altering them would have a detrimental effect on gameplay, and could outright remove the aforementioned tension, risk, etc. that adds so much to the game when in combat or exploring.
I also feel compelled to thank Warhorse.
I sincerely thank the Warhorse team, as I was an original Kickstarter backer, and I can say(though I am sure you already know) that the team has created a truly enjoyable game and an impressive masterpiece that has a combat system which is matched in any and all ways by no other. I could go on for some length about how everything comes together perfectly, and every little system works in tandem with one another, about the beautiful world, etc. but I will spare you the time. I have not enjoyed a game this much for some time now, so thank you a thousand times for going above and beyond, Warhorse. You guys are truly a talented group of people.
Best regards,
A satisfied customer.
