I just arrived to Sacrament and explored its entirety. One thing I’ve noticed is a small but unfortunate prevalence of Empty NPCs as I like to call them, specifically beggars in the lower part - they ask for copper, one lady says she’s blind, someone else asks for drugs and ale. Keep in mind I called them Empty because while they are ASKING you for something, you can’t do anything in return. Which feels somewhat empty (at least to me).
Not every NPC should give out a big quest or be a merchant of course, for example, Flavor NPCs such as guards that even though are technically empty, only TELL you something. This also includes other NPCs that tell pieces of their own lore, or world’s lore. With them it feels as if you don’t need to interact further, leaving you satisfied.
And the fix should be relatively simple: allow giving money to beggars, even if it serves literally zero purpose for you (players won’t know that). Going deeper you could get them drugs or ale (I’m new so don’t know if they exist as an item), so you can find them later laying down, or even gone (implying that they died to drugs (which is technically a very cruel but a functional way to solve a homeless issue)).
Going EVEN deeper you can add a potion that restores vision, put it somewhere mid game for players to use only on that blind lady. I imagine most won’t even remember her, BUT for those who do… it will feel amazing. No quest logs, or map markers handholding - only player’s wits. You give her the potion, her vision comes back, she cries realizing that her kids are not coming to save her, but still thanks you for that. (or something better I don’t stand out as a good writer)
This suggestion was inspired by something I still remember from playing Ori 2: Don’t remember it exactly, but there was one Moki that left his home but his family didn’t make it, so he asks you to go there and check it. You check it - Yep they turned to stone. You tell him the bad news and he decides to join them (not sure if he tells you about that decision). That was the main part of the quest, once you complete it it’s technically done. But I went back there myself and found that he too got turned to stone. That incredible, yet simple detail still lingers in my mind.
I love Wicked so far, and these types of details that I’ve mentioned make a great game into a masterpiece. Hope you come up with one.