Joxer it is a fine RPG, indeed, but I'm surprised a veteran like you doesn't see any issues. Cyphers are marginal. (though I'll agree they seem underdeveloped)
A veteran? Sure. I'm Sims veteran.
Cyphers are not marginal, I say those are overpowered and fatigue mechanics is meh aka not punishing at all. Whatever you spec your character (and sidekicks) into, all you need is cyphers to get past anything. Solo or not, the game's biggest issue IMO is cyphers2win system.
You on the other hand do not see it for whatever reason.
And you don't read what I said or refuse to accept. In numerous occassions you cannot use sidekicks in skillchecks. In combat chatty you cannot use others in skillchecks only the one who's into a dialogue. And failing a skillcheck many times is not punishing, sometimes it nets you a better "reward" than passing the skillcheck.
Not only that, perception unlocked dialogues from what I've seen count only on main character. I've even written what happened when I upped my protagonist's Perception to +2.
The pink elephant in the room is prejudice coming from Codex because of some failed visit/interview whatever.
No, the game does not suck as Codex suggests. I'm not saying it's brilliant either as I didn't finish it yet. But it's a far better game than Codex suggests and one more I backed on Kickstarter that doesn't disappoint (the only one among dozens I backed that did disappoint me so far is Earthlock).
Being fair can mean many things. In this case, IMO being fair means dropping a prejudice coming from angered people and think about it yourself. You don't have to agree with me about cyphers being overpowered, hell you don't even have to use them at all in the game, but at the same time it contradicts your solo/party thoughts.
Torment2 is a game that allows you to choose how and what to play. IMO it succeeds in it. Sure, not in the best way ever designed, but does it mean it's a bad game? No.