Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is an amazing game. Obsidian has gifted the already cluttered RPG genre with an excellent title that offers hundreds of hours worth of gameplay. Puzzles, ship combat, side quests, exploration, and other activities keep you occupied along the way.

If you’re looking for the next, and perhaps greatest, grand cRPG; if you’re aching for an epic single player adventure; if you’re seeking a setting outside the norm; if you’re hoping for a story that takes you in and hangs on, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire fills the bill. It is something special, something you’ll want to play again and again and is a game that will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the genre’s best.

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire has taken Obsidian’s formula of success and brought it to the new heights. Complex and life-like fully narrated companions, wonderfully deep systems, epic story involving gods and mortals and the atmospheric soundtracks will swipe you off your feet right into the world of Eora. The developers have also already shared their plans for the post-launch content that will include three major story-driven DLCs, ensuring that you will not run out of things to do in PoE2 for a long time to come.

With DLC called 'The Deck of Many Things' and rules system that very closely mirrors the fundamentals of D&D right down to individual spells, it's sort of a crying shame that the powers that control licensing on both sides were unable to consummate this obvious marriage. Pillars of Eternity, for me, is the best D&D series there never was.

Obsidian is a true master of its craft, and they provide us one of the best and unique classic rpg experience out there. Immersive and rich world, interesting setting with tons of things to do and regions to explore, with colorful characters and complicated politics.

An RPG of this scope could never really be perfect, but Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire has got it where it counts – story. Not only in the linear progression of following a god to try and reason with a trail of wanton destruction, but in the open exploration and creating your own mark with Deadfire. There are very few lengthy, memorable, and expansive stories as what you can find here.

Pillars of Eternity II is Obsidian’s new masterpiece. It is outstanding and it also features improvements that could mean a lot for the pure RPG for next years. An amazing universe with an exquisite gameplay make this game one of the best of this year so far.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is one of the best modern RPGs on PC. Obsidian's new video game is an amazing adventure with a brilliant writing, deep combat and amazing atmosphere.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire mixes the classic epic feel from Baldur's Gate 2 with freedom of exploration from Fallout, and still offers a modern and surprising story and a great set of characters. Pretty much every element of the game has been improved. All hail the new king of classic RPGs!

Deadfire feels like the game of my dreams. It features an epic story that still manages to feel personal, with the right amount of humor and the occasional eerie atmosphere. Also pirates. It should feel scattered, but it takes the best parts of the settings and blends them into something new.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is a sequel that surpasses the original in nearly every way, and is an RPG that should not be missed.

Visually, the most remarkable accomplishment Pillars of Eternity II pulls off is making its world feel dynamic and alive.

A sequel that does almost everything better than the original game. You could hardly ask for anything else.

In the wake of my first complete Deadfire playthrough, I can conclude that it is a wholly improved sequel in virtually every aspect of its predecessor, and a highly entertaining RPG which will certainly be a candidate for GOTY 2018.

Deadfire is the first time Obsidian gets to work on a sequel of its own and that makes the game special. The open world approach to its narrative is really interesting. They managed to build a new game looking to the future of the studio but not forgetting the genre's past.

Pillars of Eternity 2 is a role-playing masterpiece that improves and dares a lot compared to Part 1 without losing the old-school charm.

It’s at its best when you’re in these conversations, making choices like you’re in a Choose Your Own Adventure novel, drinking in the results and reckoning with each decision you make.Even when you’re mocking the gods.

A rich role-playing world that's brought to life by some of the best writing you'll see this year. [July 2018, p.62]

Following a god-statue just doesn't inspire me the way being hit in the face with an ever-present catastrophe that devastates families did. Yes, Deadfire has fascinating themes of imperialism, cultural preservation, and politics, but those are secondary to the godly pursuit the Watcher and friends engage in. Despite this weakness and the relatively lackluster combat, Obsidian's writers showcase why they're the best in the industry and help lift Deadfire above its lesser qualities.

Pillars of Eternity II is incredible. From the layered-but-accessible combat, to the deep conversation systems and sailing around a world packed with quests and events; there are few RPGs out there that can stand up to this giant.

Generously loaded with content and written with care, Pillars of Eternity 2 Deadfire is a better-paced game than its predecessor but it stays grounded in its comfort zone.

Give the game a few hours, and you'll find yourself sucked into its damp, wonderful, varied world. Even if you haven't played the first Pillars of Eternity. Carefully crafted and complex, but never offensively so, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire will satisfy even the most demanding role-playing gamer.

Far from simply feeling sufficiently old-school, Pillars of Eternity II is a game of systems and setting working in wonderful harmony and with a pioneering spirit, exposing what it is that players miss about those particular 'good old days' on the first place. [July 2018, p.110]

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is hands down one of the best RPGs launched in the last couple of years, but I'm more anxious to learn when we'll get PoE III since the ending of Deadfire is awesome in a painful way.

If you’re new to the franchise, you’ll be a bit under pressure to read up on characters and events from the first game, but it caters to new players (or those who have simply forgotten everything from the first game) well enough, is one of the best story-telling experiences I’ve had in recent memory, and is otherwise bloody fantastic isometric RPG.

As with its predecessor, Deadfire is a truly engaging RPG in which there is always something interesting to do, or something to stare at in wonder. So much so, that hunting down Eothas - is - almost the distraction. The archipelago has lots of problems that are in need of a Watcher’s touch and most are intriguing enough that you want to get to the bottom before you progress the main storyline. If that is not the sign of a great RPG, I don’t know what is.

Quotation forthcoming.

Deadfire is a truly superb RPG from the masters of the genre. Unlike, say, a Bethesda game or even The Witcher 3, this isn’t an accessible entry point for curious newcomers; it’s a game that demands the kind of attention and commitment that is rare in 2018. However, if you have that mindset – and the time – then you’ll discover one of the deepest, densest and most rewarding Role Playing Games in years.

Certainly a worthy game for those of us old enough to remember Baldur’s Gate and wanting to relive that gaming style but with new polish.

If I had to sum everything up in one thought, it would be to stop what you’re doing and dive into the Deadfire archipelago. With brilliant storytelling, character development, places to see and many ways in order to do what is needed, there’s no shortage of adventure to be had. Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is a fantastic experience and honestly should be a must for any admirers or lovers of the RPG genre.

More than just a faithful recreation of an old subgenre, its greatest strength lies in its impeccable writing.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire rises well above the typical role-playing fare, and will provide an unforgettable experience for those that are willing to put the time to fully embrace what it is offering.

With Deadfire, Obsidian delivers a worthy successor to Pillars of Eternity.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is a lesson in sequel creation. Instead of making some slight alterations, or simply changing the setting, this smooths all the rough edges of the first game, while keeping the plot, writing, and role-playing aspect in top form. While not without flaws, and although the seafaring business is not equally awesome as the rest of the experience, this is, without a single doubt one of the best Dungeons & Dragons-inspired RPGs of the year.

The original Pillars of Eternity is a tough act to follow, but Obsidian has knocked it out of the park once again. In addition to a layer of polish that permeates across the entire experience, the new naval aspect, larger world, advanced custom combat AI, and fully voiced dialog make this a must-have sequel.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is an exceptional roleplaying experience that truly lets you forge your own path in a rich, multilayered, grog-soaked world. Occasionally the game is just a touch too retro for its own good, but, for the most part, Pillars of Eternity II proves Obsidian has set the right course. It’s clear sailing ahead for the classic computer RPG.

Deadfire relies on tradition when it's suitable and tries to do something new everywhere else. The end result is one of the best RPGs I've played in recent years.

A genuine joy of a game and one which is simultaneously approachable and impossibly deep, Deadfire is a fantastic sequel and one which you will be thinking even when you are away from its world.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is a memorable title with a strong identity, cohesive mechanics, and a gripping world that rewards players willing to invest the time to master its systems and truly inhabit the world it puts forth.

And for a game that will take thirty to forty hours for non-completionists with three scheduled DLC expansions, keeping the game interesting is extremely important, which thankfully Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire has no problem doing.

It’s an extraordinary game. One that you’ll feel faintly lost in at first, while its many systems permeate your grey matter. But all the while its story unfolds and reveals new wrinkles, the sense of place growing deeper. The mechanics underpinning everything in Pillars II have shifted marginally towards accessibility, but that still leaves a huge amount of room for brutal challenge levels to its combat - and, crucially, it’s scalable enough that you can whack down the challenge, ignore your party composition, leave the pause key unpressed, and enjoy the adventure.

Deadfire is bigger and better, and that's something, considering how good the original adventure was. It keeps the core intact, but makes it feel fresh with new mechanics.

An excellent conclusion to an already excellent game. Ship navigation and above all ship combat are lackluster, but the general experience is fun and engrossing. Overall one of the best RPGs out there.

Pillars of Eternity II isn’t a perfect RPG, but it comes pretty darn close. The game’s highly refined dialogue, combat, exploration, and character development systems come together in a way that just feels right for fans of old-school isometric RPG’s. Making a sequel to one of the best roleplaying games in recent memory was a tall order to be sure, but Obsidian definitely cleared the bar and then some.

A massive, bountiful RPG with richly descriptive writing, a well-realised setting, and deep tactical combat.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire hews closer to the traditions than it needs to, and some of the new concepts like ship battles simply aren’t as robust as they could be. But stellar narrative structure and writing and an interesting central threat help this sequel maintain interest across the dozens of hours it takes to enjoy a robust playthrough. We also bear witness to a studio that is still at the top of its game in crafting memorable fantasy adventures. ]

The tribute to the great Western RPGs of the first chapter was not easy to overcome: Obsidian has deservedly tried to change the cards on the table, bringing new contents not always perfect with a great overall result.

Graphics, UI, gameplay, combat mechanics, character interactions, story – sequel does everything better than the original Pillars of Eternity. [Issue#230, p.66]

Whereas the first game won our hearts as a love letter to cherished RPG legends (Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, Planescape: Torment), this one tempts us with its own unique flavour. The series moved away from the tried-and-true medieval fantasy setting in favor of seemingly dissonant elements (quasi-Nordic gods, strokes of traditional high fantasy, pirate mythology in the vein of Stevenson’s Treasure Island, culture of the Caribbean) that somehow fused together exceptionally well. On top of that its scale is noticeably bigger and there are tons of various improvements. All that makes Deadfire precisely the sequel it should be. [07/2018, p.66]

With its huge dialogues and deep character development system, Pillars of Eternity 2 has everything true fans of classic RPGs love so much.

Pillars of Eternity II Deadfire plays it safe just like its predecessor, and it has a worse main storyline, but it compensates with a greater and richer world to explore, better friendly AI, a refined combat system and much better side quests. In short, a must buy for fans of cRPGs.

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire improves upon the Pillars of Eternity formula in nearly every way, creating an RPG loaded with both strong combat and important, character-defining choices that frequently have an impact on your numerous and deep side-story adventures.

It’s a massive, deep, exciting sea adventure, although the developers do run aground on some reefs here and there.

Playing Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is like hearing a fascinating old man’s tale that you had hear many times already.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is not for everyone. The web of intertwining features and mechanics are as deep as they are complicated, but for those looking for more from their RPGs – more character, more wonder, more life – Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is a fantastic homage to the true roots of the RPG genre.

The series kicked off with all of the right design decisions, but the sequel doesn't prosper in this regard. Perhaps it's unfair to focus so much on the negative aspects of a game that is still very much worth playing, but it really is good in spite of what is new, and not because of it. It's for this reason that although I can still wholeheartedly recommend the game for fans of Pillars of Eternity, I have come away from it with feelings that are decidedly mixed.

Massive, overwhelming, engaging and brilliant. [Issue#201, p.78]

Finally, a good pirate theme RPG, full of intrigue and joy in exploration while having a wonderful DnD inspired battle system. The lackluster and without focus main story disappoints and the bugged quests do shoot some cannonballs through the captain’s cabin, but the quality remains high and Pillars of Eternity Deadfire still is one of the best Western RPGs in years.

If you're a long time CRPG fan, or you never really gave them a try, Pillars of Eternity 2 is an excellent choice. It has the complexity of CRPGs of old but without the clunkiness. It's a much bigger, more polished game than the first in almost every way and a worthy successor.

The Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire scratches every itch computer roleplaying gamers could possibly muster, and more. Its staggeringly beautiful world weaves an elegant tapestry upon which its story is stitched — a story that, ultimately, is your story. Deadfire’s gameplay and lore isn’t exactly welcoming to the uninitiated, but for those in the know, it’s a striking entry for the genre that delivers in more than just a few aspects.

Another unapologetically old school role-player that gives its audience exactly what it wants and adds some fun pirate-themed exploration for everyone.

Pillars of Eternity 2 is a very good sequel. It doesn't takes a lot of risks (muddled combat system, not enough serendipity in quests), but is still is an awesome lesson of how build a good RPG, with a fantastic writing and a beautiful art direction.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is an extraordinary RPG experience with tons of content and a very unique setting that only falls short of greatness due to some technical and pacing issues.

Deadfire is an entertaining adventure that will keep anyone with a soft spot for this genre hooked. It has a confidently told story and the combat and character progression are as fun as the original but easier to understand. It is also a commitment to finish, taking tens (if not hundreds) of hours to complete.

Deadfire is dense, and it isn't a small game, easily dwarfing its predecessor in terms of scale. There's a lot to do, and it's easier than ever to get lost in the little stories you find, without following the arcs that the game has specially set out for you. Still, it's worth taking your time. The richness of Deadfire takes a while to appreciate, and like the brined sailors that call it come, you'll be left with an indelible attachment to these islands when you do finally step away.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is a fine game that makes it easy to get swept away in the pirate life and the thrills of ship combat. It’s a solid evolution on the first outing, though the technical flaws are significant and ultimately detract from the overall impression.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire makes improvements across the board, but perhaps not in the areas that matter most. Its scenes are great, its dialogue meaningful, but its grand scale seems to give a more fractured nature, while bugs and crashes can completely ruin immersion. It’s a game full of new ideas, but it feels like it needs another iteration to perfect them.

Surfing is interesting for the first 10-15 hours of the experience (whose main quest can be completed in about 25 hours, while it takes at least twice as long to explore most of the map), but then becomes a redundant activity.

Those with an appreciation for the tabletop games and classic PC games this pays homage to will likely have an enjoyable experience. The learning curve is a bit steep, the seas may get choppy, and the deck can get rather slippery, but with some patience and perseverance, even the greenest sailor can go from lowly deckhand to decorated captain.