Info about Grim Dawn - Steam Loyalist Items Pack:

Official game description:
Whether you're an old fan or just purchasing Grim Dawn, this fun collection of historically themed and novelty vanity items allows you to outfit your character with a little extra flourish. The gear included does not provide any gameplay stats or bonuses of its own, other than killer style, and can be applied to other pieces of gear to change their appearance. Ever wish your badass legendary helm looked like George Washington's hair? Now it can!  
This Loyalist upgrade has been made available for the many people who bought on Steam originally then found out about the website Loyalist edition and asked for a way to upgrade and receive the virtual items included with it. Loyalist was originally created and priced for people who wanted to help support development and so, the price here is a bit of a premium for what you're getting.  
**Note that this is virtual goods DLC costs over $50 less than the website full Loyalist, as it does not include the game, future expansion, soundtrack or other materials.**  
**Also note that for owners of the Ashes of Malmouth DLC, the items are added to your Illusionist collection rather than being applied directly to items.**  
Loyalist items can be claimed in-game from the NPC "Kory the Keeper" who stands outside the gates of Devil's Crossing.  
*   Massively stylish George Washington powdered wig.  
*   Helm of the Southern General  
*   Admiral's Hat  
*   Helm of the Venerable General  
*   Pillager's Dread Helm  
*   Swashbuckler's Coat.  
*   Enchanted Burrwitch Brew that never runs dry. Far from granting an unfair advantage, this vile brew is certain to dull your combat abilities and may induce vomiting.  
*   Will-O'-The-Wisp pet that acts as a light source in the dark.

Release date: Dec 22, 2016

Categories: Cosmetic DLC, Character Customization, Transmogrification, Pet Companion System, Action RPG, Single-player, Cooperative Multiplayer

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 10; verdict: Fair - Cosmetic DLC with no predatory mechanics; summary: The reviews focus on the DLC's poor value for money, but consistently note it is purely cosmetic and clearly described. There is no evidence of predatory monetization such as loot boxes, pay-to-win, or in-game currency. The DLC is an optional cosmetic purchase, and some users see it as a way to support the developers.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $8.99 - $12.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently criticize the DLC as overpriced for its cosmetic content, but they also express strong appreciation for the base game itself, calling it 'incredible' and worth supporting. The current base game price of $8.99 is already low, and the community's positive sentiment toward the game suggests they consider it a good value at that price, possibly even underpriced. The fair range is therefore set around the current price, with a slight upward allowance to reflect the game's perceived quality.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: All reviews describe the DLC as purely cosmetic or a support/donation pack with no gameplay content. Any playtime figures mentioned (e.g., 537 hours, 300+ hours) refer to the base game Grim Dawn, not the DLC itself. Since the target game is the DLC and no review reports time spent within it, all playtime metrics are unsupported and set to null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Players report immediate and sustained enjoyment, describing the game as fun, addictive, and challenging from the outset with no early friction.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: N/A
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: N/A
- Player Archetypes:
  - Dev Patron (buy)
    - Motivation: Supporting the developers and ensuring continued game development.
    - Playstyle: Long-term dedicated player who buys DLC as a token of appreciation and to fund future updates.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Cosmetic Collector (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoying visual customization and collecting cosmetic items.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on character appearance, appreciates aesthetic additions without needing gameplay benefits.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Value Skeptic (no buy)
    - Motivation: Getting meaningful gameplay content for their money.
    - Playstyle: Set hunters and min-maxers who prioritize stats and bonuses over cosmetics.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Hardcore Challenger (buy)
    - Motivation: Seeking additional challenge and risk in hardcore mode.
    - Playstyle: Plays hardcore characters, uses challenge items like the potion to increase difficulty.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: hardcore player
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Game is highly praised (weight 0.55): Players consistently describe the game as amazing, fun, and one of the best in its genre. The gameplay, polish, and overall experience receive strong positive feedback.
- DLC offers cosmetic content (weight 0.49): The DLC includes cosmetic items like transmogs, hats, and costumes that are considered nice and stylish. Players enjoy the aesthetic improvements without affecting gameplay.
- DLC supports developers (weight 0.48): Many players view the DLC purchase as a direct and honest way to support the developers. They appreciate the opportunity to contribute financially to the game's continued development.
- Wisp provides light utility (weight 0.39): The wisp pet is valued for its practical function of lighting dark areas, increasing light radius, and helping in dark dungeons. This utility is a key reason for its positive reception.
- Wisp pet is appreciated (weight 0.26): The Will o' the Wisp pet is highlighted as cute, cool, and a nice bonus. It adds visual appeal and is a pleasant addition to the game.
- DLC worth purchasing (weight 0.25): Players find the DLC worth buying as it provides enjoyable content and a way to support the developers. It is seen as a good alternative to donations, offering tangible rewards.
- Developers are excellent (weight 0.22): Players praise the developers for their excellent work, passion, and responsiveness to the community. They are seen as perfectionists and among the best in the industry.
- Game is best ARPG (weight 0.2): The game is frequently described as one of the best ARPGs ever, with exceptional builds, content, and lore. It is considered superior to other games in the genre.
- DLC adds fun content (weight 0.19): The DLC is described as fun and simple, adding cosmetic content that doesn't affect gameplay. It provides aesthetic enhancements that are pleasing to see.
- Game provides long-term value (weight 0.16): Players mention the game offers hundreds of hours of fun, rich content, and long-term updates. It is seen as a worthwhile investment compared to other games.
- DLC includes useful items (weight 0.16): The DLC provides items that increase light radius and offer practical benefits, such as the endless drink affecting combat stats. These items are considered useful and valuable.
- Game has rich content (weight 0.16): The game is praised for its super rich content, including story, lore, and dark humor. It offers everything expected from the genre and more.
- DLC includes transmogs (weight 0.12): The DLC includes equipment appearance transmogs and costume pieces, allowing players to customize their characters' looks. These are considered nice and stylish.
- Game is addictive (weight 0.12): Players describe the game as addicting and fun, with a nicely polished RPG experience. The gameplay keeps them engaged for hours.
- DLC provides legal access (weight 0.05): The DLC offers legal access to items previously exclusive to backers and special edition buyers. This is seen as a positive aspect for players who missed those opportunities.
- DLC includes beer item (weight 0.05): The DLC includes a beer item, which is a fun addition. It adds to the game's charm and provides a unique consumable.

Common complaints:
- DLC lacks practical value (weight 0.4): Players overwhelmingly report that the DLC provides almost no practical benefit, with items being useless or a rip-off. Many describe it as a cash grab that adds nothing meaningful to the game.
- Poor value for money (weight 0.34): The DLC is considered overpriced relative to the small amount of content it provides. Players feel the price is too high for what is essentially cosmetic items.
- Confusing item acquisition (weight 0.24): Several players struggled to figure out how to obtain or equip the DLC items, with unclear instructions and items not appearing in the game or inventory. This adds frustration to an already underwhelming purchase.
- Debuffing consumable items (weight 0.22): The only non-cosmetic item, an alcohol consumable, actually reduces Offensive and Defensive Ability by 10% for 450 seconds, negatively impacting combat. This is seen as a harmful addition rather than a useful feature.
- Inferior to other DLCs (weight 0.18): The content is less than the other two DLCs, and the second and third packs offer better cosmetics at the same price. This makes the DLC a poor choice compared to alternatives.
- Missing expected content (weight 0.12): Some players report missing external skins that should come with the DLC, and the screenshots do not accurately show the included skins. This leads to disappointment with the actual content.
- Limited item variety (weight 0.09): The DLC includes only a few hats and a small set of items, such as a wig, helmet, Napoleon hat, chest transmog, and a light sprite. This limited selection fails to impress.
- Aesthetic mismatch with setting (weight 0.09): The style of the items is niche and may look ridiculous in the gothic setting, and the game's generic fantasy style makes them hard to match. This reduces their appeal even for cosmetic purposes.
- Developer effort questioned (weight 0.08): Players feel the developer did not put enough love into the DLC, and the content is not impressive. This perception of low effort contributes to the negative reception.

Gameplay feedback:
- Game is ARPG successor (weight 0.13): The game is an action RPG and hack & slash RPG, considered a successor to Titan Quest. It offers near-endless build possibilities.
- Transmogrification is reusable (weight 0.12): The cosmetic transmogrification can be claimed infinitely from the keeper and used repeatedly. There is also an option to remove the transmogrification if desired.
- Alcohol item debuffs combat (weight 0.12): The DLC includes an alcohol item that reduces Offensive and Defensive Ability by 10% for 450 seconds, dulling combat skills and potentially causing vomiting. This is a non-cosmetic item that debuffs the player.

Performance notes:
No performancepoints

Recommendations:
- Only for loyal fans (weight 0.13): Several reviews note that the DLC is only worth buying for those who are loyal to the game and company, or who want to show extra appreciation. This suggests the content may not appeal to casual players.
- Recommended for game enjoyment (weight 0.13): Some reviewers find the DLC fun and recommend it to players who enjoy the base game, though this is less common than the support-developer angle. It is seen as a nice addition for existing fans.
- Consider multiple packs (weight 0.08): A reviewer suggests going for the second or third packs if you want more set parts, and recommends the second loyalist pack if only getting one. This provides guidance for collectors.
- Not recommended by some (weight 0.08): One reviewer does not recommend the DLC, and another advises reading the description before buying, suggesting that expectations may not be met for some players.
- Fun for Diablo fans (weight 0.04): A reviewer recommends the DLC for fans of Diablo-like games, indicating that the gameplay style may appeal to a specific genre audience.
- Recommended to everyone (weight 0.04): A single reviewer recommends the DLC to everyone, but this is an outlier opinion without much detail.

Other player notes:
- DLC is developer support (weight 0.97): The DLC is widely understood as a way to financially support the developers rather than for its content. Many reviewers explicitly bought it to fund future development and show appreciation.
- Content is purely cosmetic (weight 0.46): The DLC adds only cosmetic items like headgear, skins, and a pet, with no gameplay advantages. Reviewers note it provides exactly what the description states.
- Compared to other ARPGs (weight 0.34): Reviewers compare Grim Dawn to Titan Quest, Diablo, and Path of Exile, often noting it as a strong entry in the genre. Some prefer this DLC over similar purchases in other games.
- Items obtained from NPC (weight 0.25): The DLC items are claimed from the NPC Kory the Keeper at Devil's Crossing. This NPC allows infinite claiming of the items, including transmog bottles.
- Hopes for future content (weight 0.2): Reviewers express hope for more DLC and updates, including new items in the loyalist pack and further expansions. Some would buy more packs if new content is added.
- Loyalist pack value questioned (weight 0.18): Some reviewers note the content is less than other DLCs and that other packs offer better cosmetics at the same price. The cost is seen as a premium for supporting the developer.
- Originally backer exclusive (weight 0.09): The items were previously exclusive to Kickstarter backers and special edition buyers. The DLC makes them available to all players.
- Requires Ashes of Malmouth (weight 0.05): Full functionality of the DLC requires the Ashes of Malmouth expansion. This is a limitation noted by reviewers.
- Works in single and co-op (weight 0.05): The items are available in both single-player and online co-op modes. This adds to the DLC's utility.
- Bought during Steam sales (weight 0.04): The reviewer bought the game and DLCs during Steam sales, suggesting the purchase was made at a discount.

Emotions:
- Satisfaction (weight 0.14): Players feel satisfied because the cosmetic pack offers a way to support the developers while providing visually pleasing items. The game itself is highly enjoyable and offers good value compared to other purchases, reinforcing the decision to buy the DLC.
- Disappointment (weight 0.11): The DLC is seen as overpriced for purely cosmetic content that adds no gameplay benefits. Players expected more impressive skins and more content, leading to feelings that the pack is a cash grab and not worth the cost.
- Admiration (weight 0.1): Players admire the developers for their perfectionism, community engagement, and the quality of Grim Dawn, which is considered one of the best ARPGs. The developers are praised for their excellent work and are seen as a model for other studios.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.1): The game provides an enjoyable experience with its story, lore, and dark humor, and is described as beautiful, challenging, and addictive. The cosmetic DLC adds fun and simple content that players like, enhancing their overall enjoyment.
- Appreciation (weight 0.09): Players appreciate the developers for creating an interesting and beautiful game, and they value the opportunity to support them through the DLC purchase. The cosmetic items are seen as a way to show gratitude for the excellent work done.
- Gratitude (weight 0.05): Players feel grateful for the hundreds of hours of fun the game has provided, and they want to repay the developers by purchasing the DLC. The game's quality and longevity inspire a sense of thankfulness.
- Confusion (weight 0.05): Players are confused because the purchased items are not visible in the inventory and they cannot find where to claim them. The process of equipping the DLC items is unclear and takes time to figure out, leading to frustration.
- Excitement (weight 0.05): Players are excited about the upcoming expansion and rifts, and they look forward to more content. The game's rich content and its superiority over Diablo 3 fuel anticipation and enthusiasm.
- Love (weight 0.05): Players love the game and the UI, and they have enjoyed every hour played. Their strong affection for Grim Dawn motivates them to buy the pack to support the developers.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.04): Players are enthusiastic about the game's amazing quality and the near-endless build possibilities. The ability to increase difficulty with Burrwitch Brew adds to the excitement and enjoyment.
- Fondness (weight 0.03): Players feel fondness for the game, especially because of the cute Wisp Pet. Their overall liking of the game contributes to this positive emotion.
- Frustration (weight 0.03): Players are frustrated because the DLC items are not appearing in the game and there are no clear instructions on how to use them. This lack of guidance leads to a negative experience with the DLC.
- Duty (weight 0.01): Players feel a sense of duty to support the developers of such a cool game, viewing the DLC purchase as a way to contribute to the game's continued success.
- Support (weight 0.01): The DLC is seen as a way to thank the developers, and players feel supportive of the team behind the game. This support is expressed through the purchase of the cosmetic pack.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Players have affection for the game and are particularly drawn to pets, which makes the DLC appealing. Their love for the game and its creatures drives their positive feelings.
- Supportiveness (weight 0.01): Players bought the pack specifically to support the developers, showing their supportiveness for the team. This action reflects their appreciation for the game and its creators.
- Anticipation (weight 0.01): Players hope for new DLC for the first or second game, looking forward to more content. This anticipation is based on their positive experience with the current game.
- Skepticism (weight 0.01): Players are skeptical about the value of the cosmetic items, believing they are wildly overpriced. This skepticism tempers their enthusiasm for the DLC.
- Generosity (weight 0.01): Players want to give money to the developers as a gesture of generosity, supporting the team behind the game. This willingness to spend reflects their appreciation and desire to contribute.
- Approval (weight 0.01): Players approve of the developers' long-term updates and support, and they show this by purchasing the DLC. Their approval is based on the game's ongoing quality and the team's dedication.}