Pillars of Eternity

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2683 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,104 out of 2683
  2. Mixed: 308 out of 2683
  3. Negative: 271 out of 2683
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  1. mottalol
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    Absolutely amazing game.

    I always loved RPGs in general (tabletop or in video games) but i've never had played isometric CRPGs, like the original fallout, baldur's gate and etc, until i've played Wasteland 2. And the playstyle got me in love from it. The amount of choices, the similarity with the tabletop RPG narrative, the challenging complexity of the game and, yet, rewarding    Absolutely amazing game.

    I always loved RPGs in general (tabletop or in video games) but i've never had played isometric CRPGs, like the original fallout, baldur's gate and etc, until i've played Wasteland 2. And the playstyle got me in love from it. The amount of choices, the similarity with the tabletop RPG narrative, the challenging complexity of the game and, yet, rewarding playstile...

    For someone who likes complex games (not necessary difficult ones, but complex, the kind you have to read some before doing some) this kind of game felt perfect... Everything got me almost instantly.

    And then when i was exploring this brave new world for me, Obsidian release Pillars of Eternity.

    And let me say to you, this game is ABSOLUTELY amazing. I'm not here to set grades to this or the other games, i'm just saying that THIS game is almost flawless into giving you and AMAZING experience, into rewarding your good decisions or creativity... This is, without a doubt, one of the best games I've ever played.    … Expand
  2. socokid
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    An incredibly fun game, great story, interesting characters and it screams Baldur's Gate 3 2015.

    I will let dorklies discuss how it deserves a zero because they feel the need to change each character's choices every second. (Your companions obviously DO come with AI, no one is actually changing what each of their companions is doing each blow... that would be insane). People can talk    An incredibly fun game, great story, interesting characters and it screams Baldur's Gate 3 2015.

    I will let dorklies discuss how it deserves a zero because they feel the need to change each character's choices every second. (Your companions obviously DO come with AI, no one is actually changing what each of their companions is doing each blow... that would be insane).

    People can talk about kickstarter games and not enough "studio" to produce a AAA monoliths with every bell and whistle, but as far as having fun... the literal point, games like PoE grab you by the heart and do not let go.

    For newcomers to this sort of game... Take it slow, save OFTEN. Relax! You are going to find things you will have to come back to, puzzles that you cannot currently solve, weirdness you will not immediately understand... etc... There is no linear hand holding here. A great thing.

    Enjoy!    … Expand
  3. hamsterfish
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    I've been playing this game for 8 hours straight after it unlocked on Steam before I noticed it was 3 AM, this game really draws you in. I'm playing it on normal + expert mode and found it to be nicely challenging. The graphics are lovely, the dialogues realistic, the storytelling is mature and excellent and I haven't found any bugs yet. It's nice to finally have a real and meaty RPG againI've been playing this game for 8 hours straight after it unlocked on Steam before I noticed it was 3 AM, this game really draws you in. I'm playing it on normal + expert mode and found it to be nicely challenging. The graphics are lovely, the dialogues realistic, the storytelling is mature and excellent and I haven't found any bugs yet. It's nice to finally have a real and meaty RPG again after a decade of 'RPG's that are really just action adventures. This game is definitely worth buying. Thank you Obsidian :)… Expand
  4. Zorgling
    Mar 26, 2015
    10
    그래픽은 일단 올드 하고 마음에 듭니다. 한글화가 아직 안되어 한글화를 기다리고 있지만 저에게는 딱 맞는 게임이네요. 오늘 더 해보고 마저 리뷰를 작성하도록 하겠습니다.
  5. wolfrider300
    Mar 26, 2015
    10
    This game is absolutely fantastic, but on that note this game it's not for everyone. If all you care about are super 3-D graphics and little to no story, your not going to found that here go somewhere else.
  6. BitBandit
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    I have played Baldur's Gate I and II, Icewind Dale I and II plus many other games of the same ilk. If you've loved any of these game, you'll love this, the developers have done a stellar job. I've been waithing for a game like this for ages, pure nostalgia with next gen graphics.
  7. Ryzwych
    Mar 26, 2015
    10
    Hurts to say it after a long wait, but it SUCKS.

    Don't want to start a debate, but, IMHO, this is the worst work around from Obsidian, and the farthest thing from a true RPG. Simply put, this subproduct is likable only to a minority of hardcore CCRPG players, more so if compared to modern masterwork DA: Inquisition. It lacks the highly praised fetch FedEx quest system from DOA and    Hurts to say it after a long wait, but it SUCKS.

    Don't want to start a debate, but, IMHO, this is the worst work around from Obsidian, and the farthest thing from a true RPG. Simply put, this subproduct is likable only to a minority of hardcore CCRPG players, more so if compared to modern masterwork DA: Inquisition.
    It lacks the highly praised fetch FedEx quest system from DOA and Skyrim, as the popular dialogue wheel mechanism and the combat elements from another Bioware's master piece, Mass Effects 3, where gorgeous and complex button mashing mechanics make fights so brilliant. It lacks first-person shooting mode, QTEs and the mechanism of climbing tower to reveal map, and all the things a true RPG needs to be enjoyable.
    Also, here comes back the annoying character stat building mechanism, and the boring concept of a concept plot ala P.Torment (another great failure) which gives player's frustration to recall memory about the main quest and story line. This is just an insult to all COD fans and action gamers, as well as any potential casual gamers. It diminishes the taste of all gamers around the world via greatly reducing its accessibility. It is a jerk of all trade. This is a game for no one.
    You will hate the return of the old-school tactical view from the mediocre DA:Origins, which only hardcore players who appreciate pausing the game all the time, breaking the pace of combat. Friendly fire is enabled by default, making the game too easy.
    Overall, by adding the complexity and annoyance of old-school RPG, removing the best elements from 2 most famous modern RPGs, as the exciting button mashing combat mechanics to the game, this game has reached the lowest low of RPGs that none in the world could ever reach. This is some anachronistic piece of garbage no one should care for.    … Expand
  8. Kain_Stark
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    Simply LEGENDARY !!! This is what Baldur's Gate 3 would have been if that game was ever made. Same team, same type of isometric RPG. Epic writing, excellent story and game mechanics, superb Italian Tranlation.

    I don't understand why you wouldn't buy this game if you loved Baldur's Gate.
  9. Zoso
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    Brings back all the Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale Memories, but clearly improved from a graphical and sound perspective - and it's huge, but atmospheric nevertheless!
    The Story - as far as I can tell - seems somwhat darker, too, on par with the Witcher or Dragon Age: Origins.
  10. adomolis
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    This is a game which resembles the true meaning of role playing. Fantastic storytelling, immersive combat, absolutely stunning sound design and a great world to explore. This is a fresh breath of air from all the casual AAA titles that came out the past several year. Imagine its like you've been watching movies all the time, and suddenly you discover that you can read books as well. ThatsThis is a game which resembles the true meaning of role playing. Fantastic storytelling, immersive combat, absolutely stunning sound design and a great world to explore. This is a fresh breath of air from all the casual AAA titles that came out the past several year. Imagine its like you've been watching movies all the time, and suddenly you discover that you can read books as well. Thats what it is. Its slow, but its damn rewarding. The only thing that i would have updated is the backgroun stills. I would have loved a more dynamic backgrounds, i.e. moving grass and tress etc.… Expand
  11. DAutry
    May 14, 2015
    8
    Update (rating upgrade from 3 to 8): As of update 1.05 the game is playable and I recommend it if you are an old school fan of Baldur's Gate, NWN, etc.
  12. goodman528
    May 25, 2015
    10
    First traditional RPG I have played from beginning to end. I would highly recommend this to everyone, it is the best game I have played in a long time.

    The central theme of the game is the timelessness of human nature, and the role of religion in structuring power in society. That is a very impressive topic for a computer game to tackle. It's definitely a cut above the other games that    First traditional RPG I have played from beginning to end. I would highly recommend this to everyone, it is the best game I have played in a long time.

    The central theme of the game is the timelessness of human nature, and the role of religion in structuring power in society. That is a very impressive topic for a computer game to tackle. It's definitely a cut above the other games that just want to find excuses to get you from one map to the next map to kill more people, and it's definitely a step forward in the history of video game development. The topics touched on in this game include:

    religious fundamentalism
    politicians using scapegoats
    wealth gap and civil unrest
    inheritance of wealth and power in a democracy
    organised crime
    drug addiction

    That list could easily be describing a very serious book about our world today, but it's not, it's about a video game. Isn't that amazing? There are a lot of foreshadowing for a sequel, so there is more to this story then PoE 1. I expect the next game to be even better!

    As a side note: most of the criticism for PoE is about bugs and PoE not being as good as BG. I played 1.05 version of the game and I didn't notice any bugs at all. In fact, PoE is one of the most polished and bug free gaming experiences I have ever had. As for PoE vs BG, I think it's an unfair comparison because there is a 15 year time gap. BG's story was very entertaining, and BG companions had a lot of that 90s charm, but lawfulness/goodness grid alignment and "I am your father" storyline really isn't that good as literature, so get down from that BG pedestal and have some objectivity.    … Expand
  13. TGMode
    May 9, 2015
    10
    I have been playing games since the early 80s. Initially in the arcade behind a taxi rank then on the first consoles long before Xbox and Nintendo. I have played PC games as long as there have been PCs and in all that time there haven't been many games that can touch this. Youtube and Google can tell you all about the game, gameplay etc but I can tell you that this is a brilliant game madeI have been playing games since the early 80s. Initially in the arcade behind a taxi rank then on the first consoles long before Xbox and Nintendo. I have played PC games as long as there have been PCs and in all that time there haven't been many games that can touch this. Youtube and Google can tell you all about the game, gameplay etc but I can tell you that this is a brilliant game made by people who have played the best games and taking the best bits and making this gem!
    Giving a game a score of 10 means I can't see how it could be better. For me this is a 10. Brilliant!    … Expand
  14. ireviewthings1
    May 8, 2015
    10
    Finally a game that I can name in the same breath as Shadows of Amn. Obsidian has taken the things we are acustomed to as RPGamers and mixed them with own ideas and nostalgia. Eora is an equally beautiful and troubled place with deep and rich lore. Very refreshing after the eye rolling plagiarism that is the Dragon Age universe.

    As a word of advice though: this game is not for every    Finally a game that I can name in the same breath as Shadows of Amn. Obsidian has taken the things we are acustomed to as RPGamers and mixed them with own ideas and nostalgia. Eora is an equally beautiful and troubled place with deep and rich lore. Very refreshing after the eye rolling plagiarism that is the Dragon Age universe.

    As a word of advice though: this game is not for every one. And thank Obsidian for it!
    Combat can be very challenging and character outfitting has a lot of hidden depth to it.
    But most importantly: there are a lot of things going on in Pillars of Eternity. I would advise you not play, read or watch any other story-heavy things while you are playing PoE.

    A eagerly awaited masterpiece and a great move against the oversimplification of certain genres in gaming in the last 10 years.    … Expand
  15. Ozard
    Jul 22, 2015
    9
    Excellent all round game which, if you are a crpg fan, should keep you occupied for quite some time. But it's not without its faults. Some very interesting classes to experiment with, story is good, combat generally very good. Joinable npcs are interesting, writing is very good and the game is more than a decent length. There is also excellent replayabilty value. All this makes for aExcellent all round game which, if you are a crpg fan, should keep you occupied for quite some time. But it's not without its faults. Some very interesting classes to experiment with, story is good, combat generally very good. Joinable npcs are interesting, writing is very good and the game is more than a decent length. There is also excellent replayabilty value. All this makes for a thoroughly great experience. Ok, now the gripes. After about level 5, my cipher, druid and mage where only casting 2 or 3 spells constantly. In fact, my cipher cast one spell about 90% of the time. It got a little tedious. Some of the druid spells are so much better than the rest it's not even funny (at the same levels). The Stronghold - possibly not worth the money and the time. I got through the game quite easily without any of it. Bounties are a good idea but you can only do 3 before you are 3/4 of the way through the game (and one of them that is required to get the rest probably isn't doable before level 8 anyway). More could have been given earlier with less rewards if necessary. Achievements - seriously, if you are going to dish out achievements like 'triple crown solo' you should make sure that at least most of the classes are able to do it. At the moment only a rogue can (not seen any proof at all that any other class can) and that's by avoiding as many fights as possible and shoving all points into sneak. Just make it a sneak achievement why don't you? The game should be able to be soloed by most classes, not just one.

    Having said all that, I for one will be buying the expansion.    … Expand
  16. 123456
    May 4, 2015
    8
    Bit apprehensive of this game after playing Divinity and hoping for a Baldur's Gate spiritual successor. However, I have been pleasantly surprised by how close it is to those Infinity Engine (IE) games.

    Graphic wise the map renders are consistently beautiful. The 3D sprites look great, there are plenty of varieties in races, hair, skin colour, and features. The UI is clear and    Bit apprehensive of this game after playing Divinity and hoping for a Baldur's Gate spiritual successor. However, I have been pleasantly surprised by how close it is to those Infinity Engine (IE) games.

    Graphic wise the map renders are consistently beautiful. The 3D sprites look great, there are plenty of varieties in races, hair, skin colour, and features. The UI is clear and customizable, with improvements over IE such as fast and slow modes and zooming.

    The music is as good as the IE games which is impressive. The voice acting is very good, scattered between the most important characters, with about 90% of the lines being spoken.

    The gameplay is a little bit hit and miss. It's worth reading a guide to how the combat works before starting as it can take a little getting used to. Because the game uses a different rule set to IE games (which used Dungeons and Dragons) the stats and items are different. This is the most disappointing part of the game thus far - the items are generally boring and your ranged damage characters are better off wearing no armor/normal clothes because they can attack faster without the armor penalty and rarely get hit. Items with the same stats also do not stack, meaning if two items buff your might, only the larger buff will count.

    I have tried the crafting/enchanting system somewhat, and it is quite easy to use but somewhat confusing. I have picked up a large number of potions and food but have not had the need to use either.

    The storyline is good, sometimes confusing, sometimes rambling. There is a lot of text to read which I'm sure some people will love, but I think it could have been cut down a bit.

    Great game, updating the IE style for the modern era. Good story and gameplay, combat system and items a little hit and miss (pun not intended), graphics and sound are spot on. Only an 8/10 because it is a homage to the past and it is just missing a real "wow" factor to take it above and beyond the classics.    … Expand
  17. Desdicado
    Jul 7, 2015
    10
    Folks I have to say this is genuinely the best game I've played in years, took me back to the days of Baldurs Gate etc.
    Totally gripped me, decent combat, good story, not too text heavy, decent graphics, lovely spell animations, good customisation options and great NPCs, frankly I loved it.
    one of those "just one more mission" games. Spectacular and it was about £15!
  18. Furipe
    Jul 31, 2015
    10
    It's too easy to review this game. It brought back the true face of RPGs of IE and showed how an oldschool game can easily beat the newest ones. In my opinion, it's so far the best RPG of 2015. Those who love genre must buy it; and Baldur's Gate (1 and 2) too.
  19. mishkoff
    Nov 14, 2015
    10
    Excellent game if you like games like BG or Icewind Dale. Main strengths are: dialogues, story and beautiful locations. It is a proof a good game does not need a massive budget and all that 3D graphics to be a good game.
  20. Barby
    Aug 20, 2015
    10
    Is like play a tale, a beautiful soundtrack accompanied me through the deep character creation and I've learned its mechanics almost without noticing while I play, there are plenty of text well integrated as a book with illustrations and choices based on your character's stats, the best way to narrate great amount of text I've ever played, I really feel comfortable with my choices, alsoIs like play a tale, a beautiful soundtrack accompanied me through the deep character creation and I've learned its mechanics almost without noticing while I play, there are plenty of text well integrated as a book with illustrations and choices based on your character's stats, the best way to narrate great amount of text I've ever played, I really feel comfortable with my choices, also the background is dynamic through dialogues. The combat system is the best in RPGs, like Dragon Age Origins with the possibility to customize your character even in its portrait, including the whole party. Sincerely the best RPG today.… Expand
  21. MarcMrine
    Aug 15, 2016
    10
    This review is a continuation of my Baldur’s Gate review, because this is the real Baldur’s Gate 3, sharing its combat system, character development, handmade backgrounds, environment, sound, dialogues and most important, the same developers... proving that “evolution” is not a 1st person adventure, evolution is more of the same wisely improved.
  22. EdenR
    May 29, 2015
    9
    This game is the closest to old style computer RPG's that I have encountered in a very long time. The amount of character interaction and party tinkering possible is enormous. I loved the real time pause combat system as it was easy to set and forget for easy combats and micro manage for the bosses.
    I will say that my play through took 90 hours because you only get experience points from    This game is the closest to old style computer RPG's that I have encountered in a very long time. The amount of character interaction and party tinkering possible is enormous. I loved the real time pause combat system as it was easy to set and forget for easy combats and micro manage for the bosses.
    I will say that my play through took 90 hours because you only get experience points from finishing quests in the main as opposed to chopping your way through the world. The last third dragged somewhat as you had to grind your way to the end. If you enter the end game dungeon there is no exit so you really need to be maxed out to take the final battle. Can't wait to see what they do in the next expansion. Also, fantastic value for the paltry price.    … Expand
  23. Demonscream
    Jun 30, 2015
    10
    The game mechanics are really good and the story is unbelievably great. Your companions really make the game fun, talk to them and listen to them. Don’t read any more reviews! Just go buy this game. Yes it is that good!
  24. Robobob
    Jul 7, 2016
    10
    It's like the developers took everything that fans loved about old school RPG like Balder's Gate and Icewind Dale and actually made it BETTER! The combat system is much more intuitive than the old silly 2nd edition rules that those older games used. They slimmed down and trimmed the fat off the skill system. Added many cool feats and abilities, some you can use every fight (encounter)It's like the developers took everything that fans loved about old school RPG like Balder's Gate and Icewind Dale and actually made it BETTER! The combat system is much more intuitive than the old silly 2nd edition rules that those older games used. They slimmed down and trimmed the fat off the skill system. Added many cool feats and abilities, some you can use every fight (encounter) and some every day (rest). This is nice as some spellcasters don't necessarily become useless the second they run out of spells. Everything is so similar to D&D, yet tweaked and renamed to make it something original. Deflection instead of Armor Class. Accuracy instead of Attack, etc. There are some cool new classes like Chanter and Cipher that play different than any other class you've seen. Then there are genius additions to the game like you can create your own hirelings for your party if you aren't satisfied with the companion characters. And building your own stronghold is fun. I've been playing on average difficulty and while few of the fights are too easy, the boss fight are just the right perfect challenge.. you have to use a full party's potential to win,as it should be. I could ramble on forever about all the cool changes to the old formula and I literally have nothing negative to say about this game 40hrs in. Perfect. 10/10… Expand
  25. Ljungman
    Apr 1, 2016
    9
    I like nearly everything in this game. The storytelling is probably one of my favorite aspects of this game, where it is told nearly like a book. Pillars of Eternity has one of the best writing I've ever seen in a game and it's wonderfully executed, both in dialogue and in storytelling. It's an amazingly well-written story throughout the game. You'll also meet other characters in yourI like nearly everything in this game. The storytelling is probably one of my favorite aspects of this game, where it is told nearly like a book. Pillars of Eternity has one of the best writing I've ever seen in a game and it's wonderfully executed, both in dialogue and in storytelling. It's an amazingly well-written story throughout the game. You'll also meet other characters in your travels, with interesting backgrounds and side-quests, also with an amazing dialogue.

    Graphically it reminds me of Baldur's Gate, with new-end graphics. I love how the game looks, it's truly a beautiful game, where the world looks like something from a painting. Character customisation is quite bad, but it's just a small part of the game.

    Sidequesting in Pillars was actually really fun! It wasn't those fetch missions, it was of the same quality as the main quest, with choices and consequences. Most of the sidequest had moral choices for your character that would build up what type of character he/she is, which makes you able to decide if you're a hero or a villain. Interesting all the way through. The party you choose to have with you is also affected by what you decide to do during this moral choices and might dislike you for it, and even leave you.

    I loved the combat. It's challenging and fun. Depending on what moves you do, where you place your characters and what spells you use to certain enemies you might die or win. If you play on the higher difficulties, side questing is a must to be able to continue. You even might meet a powerful enemy you can't defeat at the moment, but after doing more quest you can return to and defeat, and it feels really good in doing so. Looting for gear was one of the things I found quite lacking, often I got bad gear from a hard enemy, but the semi-hard bosses gave me gear I used for the most part of the game. It was not much gear changing.

    And oh yeah, THE MUSIC IS SO GOOD! It feels like a classic RPG from start to end!    … Expand
  26. Hohum
    Nov 12, 2015
    9
    I was skeptical at first, I admit. Back when the original Baldur's Gate bandwagon rolled on through town, I was too busy wrapped up in the glorious world of Ultima Online to take much notice. Only much later, in modern times, did I labor through the BG franchise. While the story and game world were both great, you really get a sense for how far we've come in 15+ years since, in terms ofI was skeptical at first, I admit. Back when the original Baldur's Gate bandwagon rolled on through town, I was too busy wrapped up in the glorious world of Ultima Online to take much notice. Only much later, in modern times, did I labor through the BG franchise. While the story and game world were both great, you really get a sense for how far we've come in 15+ years since, in terms of designing games which are actually enjoyable to control and play.

    Pillars, then, is the epitome of what can be achieved when classic RPG-craft and top-notch storytelling meet a more modernized game design philosophy. The result is a spectacular triumph.

    From the outset, you're struck with the "right" balance of nostalgia and playability, which continues on throughout the game. Controlling your party is a streamlined affair, and combat moves at a decent pace without ever feeling too fast or too slow. The variable game play speeds work wonders, meaning you don't have to pause every 2 seconds to issue a new command if you don't want to. It's the little things.

    The graphics, soundtrack, voice acting - everything is fantastic in my eyes (and ears). The quests are numerous and interesting. There's a rich lore to wrap yourself up in like a cozy blanket, but not so much that it feels like opening your favorite novel each time you launch the game.

    My only reservation is a technical complaint - the game runs horribly on my Core i7, 16GB RAM, Nvidia 960M 2GB laptop. I rarely get above 20FPS on low settings. On my desktop machine with GTX 980 graphics, it runs just fine. Little disappointing, but it doesn't detract too much from the overall experience.

    If you enjoy CRPG games, especially those of old, then you owe it to yourself to play this game. Roll on the next one.    … Expand
  27. SuperGlare
    Oct 31, 2016
    10
    Body and mind cant handle the amazingness of this game.
    At last obsidian created a true rpg in this dark era of gaming which everything is simplified ****
    The art is spectacular and graphics feels like magic.To hell with 3d nothing can match the 2d art design for enviroments. Music and sound is oldschool and amazing and the voice overs when casting a spell are just superb. There is so    Body and mind cant handle the amazingness of this game.
    At last obsidian created a true rpg in this dark era of gaming which everything is simplified ****
    The art is spectacular and graphics feels like magic.To hell with 3d nothing can match the 2d art design for enviroments.
    Music and sound is oldschool and amazing and the voice overs when casting a spell are just superb.
    There is so much stuff and so many thing to mix and match that you will explode from happiness.
    From an Icewind dale fan this game is superb.It combines baldurs gate and Icewind dale together and its amazing.Not only has the story character that you can hire but you can hire mercenaries as well that you create.I mean how awesome is that.Dont you like the characters that the game gives you?Go make your own party.
    10/10 True oldschool RPG waiting for tyranny and Pillars of eternity 2
    Screw bioware and their simplified piece of trash rpgs    … Expand
  28. AnTi_HeRo2100
    Mar 2, 2016
    9
    Pillars of Eternity

    If you are like me and a little hesitant to try this game out a bit I'm hoping to put your mind at ease a bit. I have never played Baldur's Gate so I honestly have nothing to compare this game to by the way of previous installments by the company however that means I'm not jaded by having a prior favorite in the series, so here goes my review. I wont get into    Pillars of Eternity

    If you are like me and a little hesitant to try this game out a bit I'm hoping to put your mind at ease a bit.

    I have never played Baldur's Gate so I honestly have nothing to compare this game to by the way of previous installments by the company however that means I'm not jaded by having a prior favorite in the series, so here goes my review.

    I wont get into character creation just gameplay, like I said above I had never played a previous installment by this company so I didn't know what to expect however, what I got was a truly great game from the environment to the characters to the music this game was made great and while there are some difficulties picking up some aspects to the game its nothing that you cant easily learn with time and a little practice. the atmosphere that the creators manage to create at each part of this game with the music, environment, and enemies is amazing I love to break out my Turtle Beach's when I play this game just for the immersion factor.

    I hope you enjoy reading because if you highly dislike it DO NOT get this game, it helps portray the story as you progress by allowing you to read and imagine the reactions that you want through descriptions that are equal to if you were reading an actual book and for those of us who don't mind reading it makes the story being told that much better in every way.

    (Summary) this game is a slow paced, story based, dungeon crawler that will grip you and keep you playing while enjoying the music and environment that has been created. I give it a solid 9/10 the only reason its not a 10/10 is that sometimes it can be a little to slow for my personal taste and sometimes the amount of constant reading can get a little annoying, great game none the less.    … Expand
  29. night4
    Jul 2, 2016
    9
    Wow.

    If you liked Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II and you cried when it was announced that there would never be a Baldur's Gate III, then this game is for you. It's got EVERYTHING going for it with a couple minor cons that keep it from being a 10. Pros: Music, graphics, original story, combat. I want to emphasize how rare it is to see a game with a good, original story these    Wow.

    If you liked Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II and you cried when it was announced that there would never be a Baldur's Gate III, then this game is for you.

    It's got EVERYTHING going for it with a couple minor cons that keep it from being a 10.

    Pros: Music, graphics, original story, combat. I want to emphasize how rare it is to see a game with a good, original story these days.

    Cons: Generated characters have experience penalty, wildly changing classes each time they patch (especially chiphers), and retarded AI. These things are fairly minor overall.    … Expand
  30. destinyfan1
    Jan 28, 2017
    9
    maby one of the best rpg's ever , good story,combat , environments it has it all well done
    o and did i already say the caracter customanisation ,well its also awesome
    why aren't you buying it already????
  31. lagrie
    Mar 4, 2017
    9
    Obsidian has done a great job of returning the Crpg genre. And have created a beauty of a game.
    I'm glad that obisidian is bringing back the beauty that is Crpg's.
  32. roachtbp
    Jul 15, 2016
    10
    Feels like you are playing an old school, classic RPG like Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale, minus the D&D rules, plus modern conveniences and better graphics. Great party-based, tactical combat reminiscent of Baldur's Gate, with characters and a story that also is pretty good and well-written. I welcome an RPG such as this that harkens back to the masterpieces of old. I love this game inFeels like you are playing an old school, classic RPG like Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale, minus the D&D rules, plus modern conveniences and better graphics. Great party-based, tactical combat reminiscent of Baldur's Gate, with characters and a story that also is pretty good and well-written. I welcome an RPG such as this that harkens back to the masterpieces of old. I love this game in every way.… Expand
  33. TheMitherer
    Aug 18, 2015
    8
    A very good game but not an outstanding one. Of course, every true rpg made these days is measured against the BG series (and quite rightly so) and it is perhaps unrealistic to expect any new game to have the same impact. Anyway, this game does a lot of things very well - character creation is great and there are some interesting classes to investigate. Joinable NPCs are good although aA very good game but not an outstanding one. Of course, every true rpg made these days is measured against the BG series (and quite rightly so) and it is perhaps unrealistic to expect any new game to have the same impact. Anyway, this game does a lot of things very well - character creation is great and there are some interesting classes to investigate. Joinable NPCs are good although a rogue would have been nice, game play is generally excellent. I cannot say that I found the powerful weapons and armour to be particularly inspiring but there are some other items that are, well, overpowered to say the least. The loot system is a bit quirky and one extremely useful item hasn't shown up in any of my 6 games so far. Spells are good but there are too many damp squibs in there (and some spells are just too good not to spam). The story is more than adequate and extremely well written in places.
    Overall, very playable (and replayable) and an enjoyable experience. Hopefully they can improve upon it with another effort.    … Expand
  34. Harpasa
    Jul 19, 2016
    9
    If you enjoyed Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale etc. , you dont want to miss this game.Only problem i had with the game is npc dialogues can get a little boring from time to time. Still one of the best RPGs i played in years and a must-play game.
  35. ExpertPL
    Nov 12, 2016
    9
    The lore of this game is incredible. The characters in this game are incredible. Everything in this game is incredible. Then why I won't give a 10? Well, it doesn't have that something special, that would make it one of the kind.

    This game is a great return to Baldur's Gate kind of RPGs, must-have for every RPG fan.
  36. floredon
    Jan 24, 2017
    10
    I created a Metacritic account in order to write this review. If you are a fan of RPGs that were made in the late 1990s and early 2000s and are interested in playing a game that is a modern adaptation of that experience, you owe it to yourself to play Pillars of Eternity and The White March expansions. This is a game that you need to immerse yourself in to get the most out of, althoughI created a Metacritic account in order to write this review. If you are a fan of RPGs that were made in the late 1990s and early 2000s and are interested in playing a game that is a modern adaptation of that experience, you owe it to yourself to play Pillars of Eternity and The White March expansions. This is a game that you need to immerse yourself in to get the most out of, although there is an alternative way to play that focuses more on the combat gameplay (triple crown solo, no companions, no deaths, hardest difficulty). The lore is inspired by history and it shows. Reading the Cyclopedia and the quests reveals a detailed history that rivals the Elder Scrolls in scope and depth. There is a sequel in development, and since Obsidian owns this IP, expect more content in this series (I'm hoping for a trilogy). I've gone back and played Planescape Torment and Baldur's Gate and while I enjoy those games, Pillars of Eternity has spoiled me to the point where if I am craving a CRPG experience, I come back to this game. I would say that this is my favorite fantasy CRPG. The expansions further enhance the experience, and do not feel like the typical filler DLC that you see in AAA titles these days. The high quality of the game reflects the high quality of the team, and solidifies Obsidian as the master of the CRPG.… Expand
  37. RMDsilva
    May 7, 2016
    8
    great story, great old school RPG that is dark and full of choices.
    very addictive, clocked some 100h just running back and forth.
    bad points: a bit slow and combat isn't GREAT (hard to feel tactics are that rewarding over spamming paralysis and so on)
  38. Derf3L
    Oct 1, 2015
    9
    Amazing game! A true RPG, incredible story, great combat, really good immersion and a lot of exploration.
    So many good sides..
    I haven't given a 10 because of a few small issues, like slightly outdated graphics and overall interface is not that fresh.
    Good work Obsidian. Totally recommend it.
  39. akshaysk
    Aug 10, 2016
    8
    This game is a great callback to the old Infinity Engine RPGs. The powerful factions, each tinged with grey; the stories of betrayal and greed and the dynamic party, filled with personalities that react to everything around them. The game does have flaws (such as pathfinding issues and slightly tedious inventory system) , but overall it is a wonderful throwback and I enjoyed each minute ofThis game is a great callback to the old Infinity Engine RPGs. The powerful factions, each tinged with grey; the stories of betrayal and greed and the dynamic party, filled with personalities that react to everything around them. The game does have flaws (such as pathfinding issues and slightly tedious inventory system) , but overall it is a wonderful throwback and I enjoyed each minute of the 73 hours I spent with the game. When I revisit it (hopefully with all the expansions), I think I will feel as delighted as I did the first time.

    Because, PoE has an enduring quality. I could come back to it (and indeed, I did) after a few days of not thinking about it at all and find myself as immersed as I was when I left. Few other games (I would dare to say any work of fiction) have this quality. Brilliant job overall. Obsidian, my hat's off.    … Expand
  40. bigbigtimeboy
    Jul 18, 2023
    10
    These guys had a VISION. Awesome birds eye isometric RPG - cool story in a world rich with lore and side quests - all kinds of NPCs to interact with and impact your decisions/endings. Great character customization, some crafting and base building tossed in. And the UI for the combat/spell system is super easy to learn. Just the right amount of depth!! I played The White March pt 1 andThese guys had a VISION. Awesome birds eye isometric RPG - cool story in a world rich with lore and side quests - all kinds of NPCs to interact with and impact your decisions/endings. Great character customization, some crafting and base building tossed in. And the UI for the combat/spell system is super easy to learn. Just the right amount of depth!! I played The White March pt 1 and 2 (both add-ons) and they really added to the storyline.… Expand
  41. obscurus166
    Apr 26, 2015
    9
    The last time I felt this compelled by the narrative of a game was Dragon Age: Origin. However, by looking backwards to Planescape: Torment and Baldur's Gate, rather than sideways to console optimisation, Obsidian have managed to avoid may of the mistakes fallen into by EA/BioWare and really let the player get involved in the epic, metaphysical story of the game. I was hooked fromThe last time I felt this compelled by the narrative of a game was Dragon Age: Origin. However, by looking backwards to Planescape: Torment and Baldur's Gate, rather than sideways to console optimisation, Obsidian have managed to avoid may of the mistakes fallen into by EA/BioWare and really let the player get involved in the epic, metaphysical story of the game. I was hooked from beginning to end and I'm sorry that I've finished it.

    That having been said, PoE is not, by any stretch of the imagination, perfect. The AI - particularly of companion characters - can be infuriating at times, as they stagger blindly into walls and fail to avoid running into one another during combat. There are too many mage spells which are simply too risky to use to get much of a look-in. And there are some rather peculiar decisions which have been taken with regards to equipment and inventory: for example, the idea that helmets add nothing to damage reduction seems inexplicable, and the fact that they can't be player-enchanted also seems odd.

    Despite these gripes, I can't help but feel that PoE is one of the most engaging games I've played in a very long time. The environments are interesting; the quests are (usually) well written and engaging and most of the player-characters offer a solid narrative reason, other than their (often frankly useless) stats for taking them along for an adventure.

    The game also plays well, with the pause and click tactical combat being smoothed over by a reasonably efficient, expanding spell-and-talent icon menu. In stark contract to the BioWare games, you can select what your character is actually going to say, and, if you would like to know more, there's a function in the options menu whereby you can see the traits which each dialogue option typifies.

    I hope that Obsidian make another game in this setting, and soon.    … Expand
  42. DeusXCom
    May 18, 2015
    10
    Pillars of Eternity aka Baldur's Gate 3 aka Infinity Engine games nostalgia strikes back in 2015.... I LOVE IT!

    I'm very glad games like this can still be made today, IE games are among my favourite games of all-time, so I had extremely high hopes for this title and I'm so happy to say my expectations were fully satisfied. Obsidian did not disappoint. It's almost on the level of IE    Pillars of Eternity aka Baldur's Gate 3 aka Infinity Engine games nostalgia strikes back in 2015.... I LOVE IT!

    I'm very glad games like this can still be made today, IE games are among my favourite games of all-time, so I had extremely high hopes for this title and I'm so happy to say my expectations were fully satisfied. Obsidian did not disappoint. It's almost on the level of IE legends and in some areas it goes even further. All the worries about Unity engine and problems I had with Wasteland 2 such as ugly visuals, clunky UI and bugs are a non-issue here, just the opposite, PoE is visually absolutely beautiful and UI is smooth and perfectly functional. There were some glitches at release, but I was smart to wait a few weeks for first patches to come out and I'm glad I did, because as a result I didn't encounter any serious bugs and I could enjoy the game 100%.

    The locations and environments are so gorgeous, you just want to live in this world and explore every inch of it. Right form the character creation, this is a gaming dream, all the different classes to play, talents and spells to choose from, engaging quests to do with tons of difficult choices to make, all the interesting characters and companions you meet on your travels. The sheer amount of content here is just mind-blowing. Tons of amazing loot, lots of unique weapons with their own background stories, extensive bestiary full of various monsters to fight in the tactical combat system that you can pause and micromanage to your leisure, but you're not force to waste your time in turn-base system, so if you're powerful enough, you can just roll and decimate. Welcome addition in the form of little playable book stories with hand drawn visuals and descriptions that you can interact with depending on your stats or available items. For a new world, there is also an impressive lore, histories, stories and all the gods you can read about in books. Stronghold you can claim and take care of and upgrade with majestic mega dungeon under it, which will satisfy every dungeon crawler's wildest dream or even a cute pet system, I could go on, I just love this game so much and I enjoyed every minute of my adventure, and oh boy, there were plenty of minutes to enjoy, my first playthrough took 120+ hours!!!

    Yes, nothing is perfect and there are few shortcomings such as so-so main story that doesn't really grab you and lacks the sense of urgency that you have to keep going. Level cap that I reached in Act2 about halfway through the game is extra annoying, making the second part of the game useless in terms of progress as exp rewards are way too high and the balance is totally off when you can reach the max limit so soon even with 6 member party. Companion AI is basically non-existent and pathfinding is abysmal. Music is pretty bland and forgettable, not reaching the quality of IE legends in the slightest. Voice acting, while good when present, is very sparse and it can be distracting when one line of dialog is voice acted and the next one isn't. And the lack of co-op multiplayer which was always one of the highlights in IE games for me is also disappointing. But none of this really ruins your overall experience and hopefully all these problems will be addressed in potential sequels.

    Pillars of Eternity might not be ranked high up there among the all-time legends, but it's definitely one of the best games I have played in recent years. A shining gem in the current gaming scene and one of the best cRPG's overall. Thanks to Obsidian for creating this and let's hope for more and even better in the future. 10/10    … Expand
  43. chenwfng
    May 10, 2015
    10
    This game is one of the best RPGs I have ever played. I have been disappointed with the RPGs of late (Dragon Age Inquisition, etc) with it's lacking in content, gameplay and storyline. I proudly say this game is the sh*t! It has everything I wanted in an RPG! Lots of customization, upgrade your stronghold, hire guards, hire new adventurers, talk to everyone, kill everyone, lock up peopleThis game is one of the best RPGs I have ever played. I have been disappointed with the RPGs of late (Dragon Age Inquisition, etc) with it's lacking in content, gameplay and storyline. I proudly say this game is the sh*t! It has everything I wanted in an RPG! Lots of customization, upgrade your stronghold, hire guards, hire new adventurers, talk to everyone, kill everyone, lock up people you want to lock up, etc. The moral choices of this game really makes it the best thing I want in a game. It offers replayability, I can play as the good guy and then on my next playthrough i can play as the bad guy and etc. Definitely a must play, must have game if you're a big fan of RPG. I have not played Baldur's Gate prior to this game and might just get it. 100/10… Expand
  44. aceofspace
    Apr 30, 2015
    9
    So let's break this down and then get into the game a bit.

    Story (plot & writing): 10 Graphics: 10 Art: 10 Characters: 10 Mechanics: 10 Bugs: 3 Save integrity (due to bugs): 2 So yeah, it's beautiful, it's profound, it's balanced, it's fun. This is the kind of RPG I've been missing since Baldur's Gate 1/2 and Neverwinter Nights. The only thing that comes close in this genre is    So let's break this down and then get into the game a bit.

    Story (plot & writing): 10
    Graphics: 10
    Art: 10
    Characters: 10
    Mechanics: 10
    Bugs: 3
    Save integrity (due to bugs): 2

    So yeah, it's beautiful, it's profound, it's balanced, it's fun. This is the kind of RPG I've been missing since Baldur's Gate 1/2 and Neverwinter Nights. The only thing that comes close in this genre is Divinity: Original Sin, which is a totally different beast with a totally different feel. I absolutely love Pillars of Eternity, and rank it among my favorites of all time. No doubt.

    Problem: bugs. So many bugs. I don't have any crashes, or disappearing characters, but these things are happening to people everywhere. My bugs are nearly game-breaking, all the same: constant save state overwrite issues. Oh, didn't finish that dungeon before skipping out via the easy-to-access master staircase? Sorry bro, start over! Total reset! Only now you can't use the main door! Wanted to get some bounties in those zones you beat at level 3? Sorry bro, start over! Fog of war, enemies, loot, unique items: all reset. Absolutely decimates immersion. On the other hand, hey free gameplay hours, so I guess that's a good thing.

    Go for it, get this game, as no doubt it'll all be patched and Obsidian will make amends for their (legendary) lack of QA process. It's an unbelievably fun homage to all that came before.    … Expand
  45. Eldryr
    Apr 28, 2015
    10
    Wow, wow and wow, what a great game! There is really nothing more to say. Play it - love it and play it again. :)
    One of the games I can highly recommand - epic!
  46. Alexlee
    May 11, 2015
    9
    30 hours of playing with a superbly frustrating moment fighting the final boss and the Adra dragon, test of patience, and uncountable moment of awesomeness. this game is just plain good.
  47. AceroSolo
    May 5, 2015
    10
    Simply the best RPG since Baldur’s Gate. It has the same feeling of the Infinity Engine games, but it is not only nostalgia, the current multiplatform way to make "RPGs in 1st person" may be useful to Action-RPGs (I still prefer isometric view like Torchlight or Grim Dawn), but for RPGs isometric view is irreplaceable, as real board games. Also Obsidian was able to made whatever theySimply the best RPG since Baldur’s Gate. It has the same feeling of the Infinity Engine games, but it is not only nostalgia, the current multiplatform way to make "RPGs in 1st person" may be useful to Action-RPGs (I still prefer isometric view like Torchlight or Grim Dawn), but for RPGs isometric view is irreplaceable, as real board games. Also Obsidian was able to made whatever they wanted thanks the independence of a publisher: an isometric game with handmade backgrounds, lovely fantasy soundtracks, a deep way to develop our character since stats to the background through dialogue, is simply mindblowing. This game will be a reference for the next generations like Baldur's Gate was since 1988, a real must have.… Expand
  48. Poddmeister
    May 9, 2015
    10
    Being an old-school gamer growing up with games like Planescape:Torment, Baldurs gate and Daggerfall this game really takes me back to those days when I was truly exited to sit down and play for a few hours.

    Wonderful story, gorgeous areas, nice plot twists and really fun gameplay and combat. This is the game I have been waiting for for the better part of 20 years. Best game since    Being an old-school gamer growing up with games like Planescape:Torment, Baldurs gate and Daggerfall this game really takes me back to those days when I was truly exited to sit down and play for a few hours.

    Wonderful story, gorgeous areas, nice plot twists and really fun gameplay and combat.

    This is the game I have been waiting for for the better part of 20 years. Best game since Planescape:Torment with much better combat.

    I can't recommend this game enough. If you like a dialog-heavy, story-driven CRPG with exciting combat you owe yourself to try this game.

    10/10 and i would give it a 12 if I could!    … Expand
  49. Raskol
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    Awsome epic RPG, this works so well even with the old school graphics, played 20 hours and Im still starved for more, this is the kind of game u will binge, so take time from work and friends, get food and refreshment and enjoy. We need to suport game like this, we need more, I want more. Also thank you kickstarter supporters for making this possible.
  50. mYiScooTer
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    This game is literally amazing. The art-design is fantastic, the dialogues are very well written and even on the lowest difficult it requires some thinking before every engagement.

    Congratulations Obsidian to this wonderful game!
  51. Hoot86
    Apr 16, 2015
    9
    Pillars of Eternity leads the way in the isometric old-skool RPG renaissance. Ignore the minority of negative reviews, they are complete hodge-podge. If you are a die-hard fan of the Baldur's Gate era of RPG's then this game will blow you away. My first playthrough came in at 71 hours and it was truly epic. The writing is superb, the updated gameplay mechanics keep well in line with thePillars of Eternity leads the way in the isometric old-skool RPG renaissance. Ignore the minority of negative reviews, they are complete hodge-podge. If you are a die-hard fan of the Baldur's Gate era of RPG's then this game will blow you away. My first playthrough came in at 71 hours and it was truly epic. The writing is superb, the updated gameplay mechanics keep well in line with the pause/play spirit of the old D&D games and the art style and direction are amazing.

    There isn't a lot NOT to like, specially given that the game has been patched 3 times since release already with updated art assets and bug fixes. On the point of bugs however, I experienced only one small bug (to do with stronghold hirelings) and had zero crashes in a 71 hour play time.

    If you've been waiting for an epic RPG to get stuck into with a plot that doesn't treat you like an idiot (hello, certain Bioware game) then this is the game you have been waiting for.

    9/10 - Essential purchase!    … Expand
  52. BrockSamsonV
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    You know how you loved things as a kid, and usually when you go back and revisit them you realize how they were not as great as you remembered?

    Not the case here even slightly. Every fond memory of AD&D, BG, Icewind Dale, have been lived up to and then some.

    Perfect immerse fantasy RPG.
  53. gaargod
    Apr 1, 2015
    9
    For a huge fan of BG series, this game was an absolute joy to play. The only thing which I didn't like is that if you do as many side quests as possible you reach the experience cap way too soon. I reached the level cap before even starting any quests in Twin Elms and then I was a bit frustrated because there was very little sense of progression. It would be great if the level cap wasFor a huge fan of BG series, this game was an absolute joy to play. The only thing which I didn't like is that if you do as many side quests as possible you reach the experience cap way too soon. I reached the level cap before even starting any quests in Twin Elms and then I was a bit frustrated because there was very little sense of progression. It would be great if the level cap was raised or if all experience rewards were scaled down so that the level cap would be reached much closer to the end of the game.… Expand
  54. Hety
    Apr 2, 2015
    9
    Well... it was worth waiting for this masterpiece. I funded PoE on kickstarter and its one of those titles that delivered. But lets get to the point:

    The good: 1. Story is good, so far it kept me on the edge and i even missed a few sidequests coz i wanted to progress faster, which rarely happens. 2. Characters are mostly good. Interactions and banters are there and they make sense. I    Well... it was worth waiting for this masterpiece. I funded PoE on kickstarter and its one of those titles that delivered. But lets get to the point:

    The good:
    1. Story is good, so far it kept me on the edge and i even missed a few sidequests coz i wanted to progress faster, which rarely happens.
    2. Characters are mostly good. Interactions and banters are there and they make sense. I strongly suggest to play this game on normal or hard first, so you can beat it with NPC's in party.
    3. The World. Should have been number 1 i guess, but still. Its deep, its huge and i'm reading the books that are lying around. Havent done that since BG i guess.
    4. Backgrounds are gorgeous. The IE style thingies look like paintings and still have the 3D look to them. Its not for everyone, but i just love it.
    5. Choices. Its no long the question of doing the quests in the diplomatic way and then killing everyone for the experience bonus. Nah, you can safely go the pacifistic route and wont miss much in terms of gear and nothing in terms of experience. My inner munchkin cried over this one, but its all for the good as i see now.
    6. Roleplaying is quite deep, we have consequences to our actions. At the same time there is freedom of choice. Actually you can just kill everyone if you want to and progress through the game normally. How about that?
    7. Tactical combat is there and its good. Not superb, but good.'llt touch it in the ugly part :)
    8. Almost all classes play differently, which is a huge leap if we compare PoE to BG1/2.

    The bad:
    1. Still minmaxers paradise, sadly. Obsidian tried to disconnect base stats from physical attributes, but due to system quirks and the way how combat works maxing 2 or 3 of them works best. Hope mods will fix that.
    2. Bugs. They will be fixed by Obsidian and modders, but they are there.

    The ugly:
    1. Drastic changes to combat systems that people either love or hate. Engagement for example (which can be disabled altogether by mods, YAY)/
    2. Class balance is so-so. Some of them just don't work like we hope they will. More of a perception problem than bad game design.
    3. Music is OK at best. Its fine, it has the mood, but nothing major.    … Expand
  55. Renzuken
    Mar 28, 2015
    9
    This game has great game play and awesome storytelling. The writing is very deep and engaging, and once you get the feel of the controls in combat and the main story line, you are sucked into the world completely. I have not had this much fun with a isometric RPG since BG2! It's a instant hit and a classic! I wish more publishers would green light studios to create more games like this!
  56. schmunzel
    Apr 2, 2015
    10
    I am an old timer in cRPGs. I played them all (nearly) and there are few games I loved as much as BG 1 + 2 and PST. I was (!) a huge Bioware fan and I bought every Game of them blindly (well up until DA 3 anyway).
    One of the most important things about Computer Games nowadays is, that they (usually) are not very complex, albeit the presentation is getting better.
    Truthfully POE in my    I am an old timer in cRPGs. I played them all (nearly) and there are few games I loved as much as BG 1 + 2 and PST. I was (!) a huge Bioware fan and I bought every Game of them blindly (well up until DA 3 anyway).
    One of the most important things about Computer Games nowadays is, that they (usually) are not very complex, albeit the presentation is getting better.
    Truthfully POE in my view is a masterpiece. It is very different to BG in a lot of ways (different setting, different ruleset, some aspects of character classes markedly simpler than the D&D rule set), but so far it compares very favourably.
    It is very similar to the BG series in a lot of other ways.
    So far, the strongest pro for me definetively is the story telling. While you can have split opinions about the different rule set ( and a few of the concessions they made to modern gaming habits) I have to say that POEs story, the writing and the world building are absolute top. The world is absolutely believable, lovingly wrought with love for detail, and the companions (anybody remember Kreia?) are among the best I have seen. While they don't surpass PST they very very nearly reached it.
    Brilliant!    … Expand
  57. lumibela
    Apr 5, 2015
    9
    Blast from the past!

    If you like controlling parties, pausing and employing tactical strategies to overcome difficult encounters then this game is for you. There is a variety of classes that you can choose, most classes are quite interesting, a great cast of AI companions and also you can fully customise your own mercenaries to accompany you on your quest. The perfect game to    Blast from the past!

    If you like controlling parties, pausing and employing tactical strategies to overcome difficult encounters then this game is for you.
    There is a variety of classes that you can choose, most classes are quite interesting, a great cast of AI companions and also you can fully customise your own mercenaries to accompany you on your quest.

    The perfect game to scratch that old CRPG itch you may occasionally have. PoE has a mixture of great voice acting and great written dialogue that combines together and actually complements each other perfectly. It has descriptive writing, almost feels like reading a book, whilst you make all the choices in that book.

    The game has improved in some aspects of the old greats - mainly in the graphical department. It has all been done before and doesn't reinvent the genre, but PoE simply offers the gaming community a modernised Baldur's gate.

    I enjoyed Divinity Sin, but I found PoE immediately more interesting and more akin to neverwinter nights 2 and the baldurs gate series. This game is a well deserved 9.5 out of 10, it's not perfect, the main storyline is cliché so far... but the interactions, the combat system and the writing is superb and carries the game through.

    Don't miss this one, unless Rpg's aren't your thing :)    … Expand
  58. Notger
    Apr 27, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is absolutely awesome ... not so much for its quite often a bit repetitive combat mechanics or its sometimes harsh difficulty spikes (Vithraak stun-lock mob ftw) but for the superb story with lots of interesting story-elements and even philosophically interesting choices. I loved the companion quest for Grieving Mother ... excellently written and kept me thinking about my choices for quite a while. Same for the main quest at a certain, point but I don't want to spoil that.

    TL;DR: Game mechanics sometimes a bit repetitive, but storytelling is awesome!    … Expand
  59. dup
    Apr 14, 2015
    9
    This game is great and I loved playing it! I has very good writing, a great story, nice graphics and the good old RPG feeling. It is not without flaws, though. The game world itself is a bit too lifeless, and combat is sometimes a bit too random. I also missed that one strong memorable thing, like Irenicus or Minsc.

    Faulting Pillars of Eternity for not being more like Baldur's Gate 2 is    This game is great and I loved playing it! I has very good writing, a great story, nice graphics and the good old RPG feeling. It is not without flaws, though. The game world itself is a bit too lifeless, and combat is sometimes a bit too random. I also missed that one strong memorable thing, like Irenicus or Minsc.

    Faulting Pillars of Eternity for not being more like Baldur's Gate 2 is like faulting Obama for not being more like Abraham Lincoln. It is a different time now, and Pillars does some things better, and some worse than the good old veteran.

    Keep one thing in mind though, this game is great for some players. If you do not like reading long blocks of text you will not enjoy Pillars.    … Expand
  60. Obsidianman
    Apr 28, 2015
    10
    Awesome story and characters. Fantastic playable tactical combat.
    Baldurs Gate is back in every point and from any point of view.
    This game feels so good at all stages - well done and thumbs up!
  61. Glaciergreen
    May 10, 2015
    9
    I´ve played (and enjoyed) Dragon Age Origins and was looking for a modern replacement that features a deep story, a complex stat/abilities system and some tactical combat gameplay. I came across PoE and after reading some reviews and critics i´ve decided to buy and play it. Long story short: The best role play game i´ve played in years! In terms of playability, story and complexity farI´ve played (and enjoyed) Dragon Age Origins and was looking for a modern replacement that features a deep story, a complex stat/abilities system and some tactical combat gameplay. I came across PoE and after reading some reviews and critics i´ve decided to buy and play it. Long story short: The best role play game i´ve played in years! In terms of playability, story and complexity far better than Dragon Age Inquisition.
    It´s loosely based on the old infinity engine games (Baldurs Gate etc.) but features updated graphics including 3D toons, lovely rendered backgrounds and stunning magical effects.
    The story got me involved right after apprx. 20 minutes of gameplay.
    All talents/skills are not only used in combat, but in actual roleplay events (e.g. trying to climb a wall, either use your athletics if high enough, or use your mechanics skill and a rope, or ... etc.).
    You´ll need some time to fully understand the system behind combat and character development, but it´s within the boundaries of what you´ll expect from a modern RPG.
    Anyways, my conclusion: If you enjoyed the rpg system behind DA:O, if you played Baldurs Gate, Neverwinter Nights etc. and if you look for a dark-ish, grim story that forces you to make many grey zone decisions, Pillars of Eternity is your game. Go, buy it, you´ll thank me later!
    Visuals/Graphics: 9/10 (overall very good, could use a little more zoom in)
    Story/Quests: 10/10 (could easily be made into a hollywood fantasy movie)
    Playability/HUD: 9/10 (semi-intuitive, needs some diggin, tho)
    Current game version is 1.05 and many bugs have been fixed,
    for everything else (e.g. better localization) there´s the mod nexus.
    Really, buy this game! ;-)    … Expand
  62. sterle2009
    May 26, 2015
    10
    At last! A game as beautiful as Baldur's Gate series! Well I'm still waiting for Torment but that's another story. I'm loving the new classes, complete freedom to specialise your character however you want it and redefinition of the stats. Makes the game so wonderful to play and there's no good or bad builds.
    Well, even with the great mechanics, if the storyline sucks it wouldn't amount    At last! A game as beautiful as Baldur's Gate series! Well I'm still waiting for Torment but that's another story. I'm loving the new classes, complete freedom to specialise your character however you want it and redefinition of the stats. Makes the game so wonderful to play and there's no good or bad builds.
    Well, even with the great mechanics, if the storyline sucks it wouldn't amount to much right? Great news is there's plenty of ambience and story to keep me occupied and staying up "just one more hour" LOL    … Expand
  63. jack67
    May 26, 2015
    10
    This game is a masterpiece in the spirit of Baldur's Gate, without the clunky restraints of AD&D 2nd Edition rules. Pillars of Eternity has an interesting story, excellent side quests and interesting NPCs. This is a text-heavy game influenced by "Planescape: Torment," so if you don't like reading, don't bother with this one. Details abound for those players interested in diving into theThis game is a masterpiece in the spirit of Baldur's Gate, without the clunky restraints of AD&D 2nd Edition rules. Pillars of Eternity has an interesting story, excellent side quests and interesting NPCs. This is a text-heavy game influenced by "Planescape: Torment," so if you don't like reading, don't bother with this one. Details abound for those players interested in diving into the world's fiction.

    Pillars of Eternity is the best of what Kickstarter games has to offer and certainly will be expanded upon by Obsidian. This one is well-worth the money and time.    … Expand
  64. juanval
    Jun 8, 2015
    10
    Beautiful game. The best of the kickstarter funded games. A perfect sucessor of the Infinity Engine games. If you liked Baldur's Gate Icewind Dale or Planescape Torment, you should play Pillars of Eternity.

    In order to have a better experience of the game, it's recommended, before start playing, to read about the setting: deities, recent and historical events, geography, races,    Beautiful game. The best of the kickstarter funded games. A perfect sucessor of the Infinity Engine games. If you liked Baldur's Gate Icewind Dale or Planescape Torment, you should play Pillars of Eternity.

    In order to have a better experience of the game, it's recommended, before start playing, to read about the setting: deities, recent and historical events, geography, races, factions, regions, etc.

    I love the setting, a mix of renaissance, colonial, medieval era, in which human souls are the center of the plot. I love too the music, companions, the beautiful areas to explore.

    The plot is well written and original. I liked the ending too.

    Combat, one of the main features of the game, is great but the only problem is that the game is not well balanced. Playing on hard mode, I only found 4-5 difficult battles in all the game. The rest was too easy. I reccomend to avoid playing Pillars of Eternity on Normal or Easy mode.

    Now I'll wait to the release of the expansion. I hope to see more games in this beautiful setting. ;D    … Expand
  65. XxSoULxMaNxX
    Oct 25, 2015
    10
    Played over 120 hours. Once I finished (with the NPC companions) I played again with an entirely different group of characters (I created myself). The character, skill, enemy and environment variety made the game more than enjoyable. I am hoping for more games like it.
  66. SigilFey
    May 24, 2015
    10
    Pillars offers players that masterful Infinity Engine experience with modern-day polish. I was initially underwhelmed by the overall story and presentation, but by about 5 hours in, I was well invested and enjoying the game thoroughly. There is a lot of depth to uncover here and plenty meaningful role-playing to experience.

    I would call the gameplay fairly linear, but there are many    Pillars offers players that masterful Infinity Engine experience with modern-day polish. I was initially underwhelmed by the overall story and presentation, but by about 5 hours in, I was well invested and enjoying the game thoroughly. There is a lot of depth to uncover here and plenty meaningful role-playing to experience.

    I would call the gameplay fairly linear, but there are many points at which the choices you make may have a drastic impact on the world, open or close off entire quest-lines, or even alter the way you look at your own character. While not the most unique or ambitiously developed fantasy universe, Pillars' gameworld is quite interesting, nonetheless. I may not have been awed by anything in particular, but I was definitely never bored!

    Combat can be very challenging, even on the easiest setting, and requires intricate control and management of your entire party to be successful. (If anything, characters have too many unique skills, abilities, powers, special attacks, etc. -- there are a few I think I never actually used!) On the same token, I never really started to feel as if combat was becoming mundane, and emerging victorious was always a thrill.

    Whether you're a vet of the old Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale series or brand new to this whole style of RPG, Pillars of Eternity is easy to recommend. It's not the most incredible game in the genre, but it does what it sets out to do -- perfectly.    … Expand
  67. KJSharp
    May 23, 2015
    10
    An immersive game that demands strategy and tactical play. You will like this game if you're looking for a Medieval fantasy game that will present a challenge.
  68. SkySlam
    Oct 4, 2015
    10
    Great, immersive and fun RPG experience. It really felt like playing Baldur's Gate for the first time again.
    I enjoyed a good part of the story, the gameplay is smooth and the companions are interesting and definitely feel alive. Did not disappoint the long wait.
  69. Raf
    Mar 29, 2015
    10
    Gra to nie tylko powrót do klasyki - to arcydzieło, przeniesienie klimatu z prawdziwych, papierowych RPG na ekran komputera. Magia wylewa się obrazu i otula, zabiera na wspaniałą przygodę. Wszystko w tej grze jest świetne, trzyma najwyższy poziom. To co powoduje, że ta gra jest bardzo groźnym konkurentem dla potężnej produkcji jaką jest Wiedźmin 3, jest narracja i opisy stworzone dłoniąGra to nie tylko powrót do klasyki - to arcydzieło, przeniesienie klimatu z prawdziwych, papierowych RPG na ekran komputera. Magia wylewa się obrazu i otula, zabiera na wspaniałą przygodę. Wszystko w tej grze jest świetne, trzyma najwyższy poziom. To co powoduje, że ta gra jest bardzo groźnym konkurentem dla potężnej produkcji jaką jest Wiedźmin 3, jest narracja i opisy stworzone dłonią prawdziwego artysty. Ogromna część gry rozgrywa się w naszej wyobraźni budując niezapomniany obraz wydarzeń, które tym samym stają się naszym udziałem niczym w doskonałej książce. To najlepsze cRPG od lat i gra. Planescape Torment (produkcja jakże wybitna) może zejść z piedestału, bo oto jego spuścizna, Pillars of Eternity zasiada na tronie wieszcząc zwycięstwo i będąc hołdem dla swego starszego brata !!!… Expand
  70. Dyalad
    Apr 2, 2015
    9
    The game captures the essence of Inifinity Engines games very well.

    The pre-rendered maps with the 3D characters are combined really well, and the graphics look great. The music is, without a doubt, inspired by Baldur's Gate. The story is good, but if one hasn't read the game's lore before playing, it can be difficult sometimes to understand what's going on. A lot of weird words and    The game captures the essence of Inifinity Engines games very well.

    The pre-rendered maps with the 3D characters are combined really well, and the graphics look great. The music is, without a doubt, inspired by Baldur's Gate.

    The story is good, but if one hasn't read the game's lore before playing, it can be difficult sometimes to understand what's going on. A lot of weird words and terms are used in the game to make it sound exotic. IE: a biawac is some kind of soul storm. They do have a dictionary that covers some of the words used in conversations, but not all of them are in there. I think that Dragon Age and Forgotten Realm based games (Neverwinter, Baldur's Gate) are a bit more friendly when it comes to introducing new players to their setting.

    The combat system is interesting. It uses two health systems - HP and Endurance. Both Endurance and HP depletes during a fight, but Endurance regenerates at the end of a fight. HP does not. Depending on your character's class, your HP is can be between 2 and 5 times your total endurance. Essentially, this system allows you to be able to run several encounters without needing to rest after each one. While it's not perfect, it is a big improvement from Baldur's Gate in which you could technically rest after each encounter.

    The game does a good job at displaying consequences to your choices. You can meet NPCs you've saved/spared elsewhere in the game, certain dialogues will be available to you depending on the reputations you've built for yourself.    … Expand
  71. Wulfburk
    Apr 3, 2015
    10
    Best RPG of Obsidian.

    The company has always been shadowed by Bioware and Bethesda, KOTOR 2 to KOTOR 1, NWN2 to NWN1 and New Vegas to Fallout 3 (even though New Vegas is much better than F3) Pillars of Eternity changed the tide. Ever since Mass Effect 2, Bioware has made 4 games, and all 4 of them were utter crap. The atmosphere and the universe, as well as the immersion, of Pillars    Best RPG of Obsidian.

    The company has always been shadowed by Bioware and Bethesda, KOTOR 2 to KOTOR 1, NWN2 to NWN1 and New Vegas to Fallout 3 (even though New Vegas is much better than F3)

    Pillars of Eternity changed the tide. Ever since Mass Effect 2, Bioware has made 4 games, and all 4 of them were utter crap. The atmosphere and the universe, as well as the immersion, of Pillars of Eternity are great and puts Dragon Age to shame.

    The campaign is so great and the universe feels like its been there for a long time, it feels very stabilished. Though different types of games, i felt the same thing when i was playing Mass Effect 1 for the first time. The story unveiling throughout your playthrough improves the game by a lot and you feel very connected to the world and to the plot.    … Expand
  72. decumos
    Apr 3, 2015
    10
    Obsidians, gods of RPGs, return with their new masterpiece! Yes! This is how its done!
    Even small side-quests are well-developed and, more importantly, there are ALWAYS a choice and a controversy. For example, a spirit tell me... scratch that, SHOWS me a vision how he got killed by his friend, stabbed in his back. I decide what a nasty friend was that and that he needs some manners taught    Obsidians, gods of RPGs, return with their new masterpiece! Yes! This is how its done!
    Even small side-quests are well-developed and, more importantly, there are ALWAYS a choice and a controversy. For example, a spirit tell me... scratch that, SHOWS me a vision how he got killed by his friend, stabbed in his back. I decide what a nasty friend was that and that he needs some manners taught into him. So I go to the town and find his friend. However, it turns out that this friend did this because that guy was a cruel dick and was constantly beating his wife.
    Another example: I come to a mill and find that local miller is being harrassed by thugs. Like a good hero, I promise the miller to stop those thugs. I go to the local tavern where thugs are currently reside. But it turns out that those thugs are farmers, and that miller is a douche and a bourgeois scum who buys their wheat at lowest possible price and sells bread at the highest. However, the miller retorts that he sets honest prices, and even gives the bread away for free to those who really needs it.
    And so on and so forth. This is how it SUPPOSED to be in RPGs. I'm so sick of quests like "go bring 50 elfroots" in Dragon Ages, Skyrims and similar games.    … Expand
  73. lifeofbrian
    Apr 2, 2015
    9
    This game is amazing.

    Pros - Rich music - Great atmosphere - Lots of dialogue options - Factions (so that you can never do every quest in one playthrough) - Multiple endings for many quests. - Highly replayable - Many different classes to choose from, and a lot of variety for how you can build any given class. - Good writing - Good voice acting (largely) - Interesting    This game is amazing.

    Pros

    - Rich music
    - Great atmosphere
    - Lots of dialogue options
    - Factions (so that you can never do every quest in one playthrough)
    - Multiple endings for many quests.
    - Highly replayable
    - Many different classes to choose from, and a lot of variety for how you can build any given class.
    - Good writing
    - Good voice acting (largely)
    - Interesting companions.

    Cons

    - You have to take your stronghold before you can get 1/2 of the companions.
    - There are only 8 companions (Baldur's Gate 2 had 17 companions)
    - The game forces you to take the stronghold (this is an immersion breaker for people who don't want to be tied down)
    - You can't cast buff spells before battle, but you can cast offensive combat spells and healing spells. This is dumb and breaks immersion. Given that resting (and therefore your ability to cast spells) is supposed to be limited by your access to camping supplies I fail to see why people shouldn't be able to pre-buff, especially given that the game already lets you cast spells outside of combat.
    - Still is buggy. I've had annoying sound issues on occasion.
    - Different priests lack variation regarding spells. A priest of Skaen casts the exact same spells as a priest of any of the other gods. At least Baldur's Gate 2 had a small amount of variety when it came to cleric kits and combat.

    Its definitely not a perfect game, and there are some areas (like companion access) where it should have learned lessons from Baldur's Gate. I'd probably give it an 8.6/10, which rounded makes it a 9/10. Given the total lack of games like it in the last decade its still a welcome addition all the same.    … Expand
  74. amandra
    Mar 28, 2015
    9
    I backed this game in Kickstarter. I was always a fan of the original infinity engine games. I also backed Wasteland 2 which was good, but not great.

    I'm only about an hour in and I can say this is the best game I've played in years. I appreciate having a great story, but I'm generally a skimmer. Not in this game. I paused for a second to read all the text and it's blockbuster novel    I backed this game in Kickstarter. I was always a fan of the original infinity engine games. I also backed Wasteland 2 which was good, but not great.

    I'm only about an hour in and I can say this is the best game I've played in years. I appreciate having a great story, but I'm generally a skimmer. Not in this game. I paused for a second to read all the text and it's blockbuster novel level, it's actually entertaining to read. Additionally there's generally excellent voice acting for the first (or couple) layers of dialogue, which really draws you into the characters. After that it's text only which is a great design decision since I find I read much faster than voice acting and generally skip it after the first layer anyway. A great balance.

    Character:
    Character creation took an hour, but it was an enjoyable well informed hour. Little hoverable highlights explain all the details you usually guess at and end up recreating your hero after learning them in game. So far I'm satisfied with my first shot which is a sign of a great character design section. The customization is incredible (characteristics more so than aesthetics). I went for a cypher, a really unique soulsteal-for-mana crowd control caster.

    Interface:
    The interface is fluent and hasn't felt clunky, save for a multi-monitor mouse bug that they're working on.

    Combat:
    The combat is excellent and quite difficult. I've already died in the game (which I consider good). I've come across enemies that can one-shot me (clearly not linear). The interaction between your allies in combat is critical. The pause mechanic is necessary to execute the strategic dance necessary to defeat enemies and it's implemented very well. The only flaw can be the occasional mistarget when things get clumped which would be hard to remedy in an isometric game.

    Graphics:
    I'm playing at max 2560x1600 and I don't know why people complain about the graphics. It's absolutely gorgeous at this level. The prerendered maps look great and really draw you into their world.

    Currently I'd rate this a 9.5 if I could. I think there is room for very minor improvements in their next iteration, but they very nearly delivered a perfect game here so far. I'll update as I approach the end-game.    … Expand
  75. shelter
    Mar 28, 2015
    9
    Hats off to Paradox Interactive yet again for a solid game release.
    And congratulations to Obsidian for making a great game.

    However it's a bit too linear in terms of loot and stuff, at least from what I've seen.
    Other than that, it's been very fun to play so far and I really like the art style.
  76. Drihter
    Mar 31, 2015
    10
    I can hardly wait for the night ! This game can't be played during the day !!! Great atmosphere, excellently written story, nice tactical combat gameplay, character customization and beautiful graphics. For me best RPG since Baldur' s Gate 2 !!! 10/10
  77. Dmitro
    Mar 27, 2015
    9
    In Pillars of Eternity has everything she needed to resemble a classic, but it almost got rid of atavism Infinity-rolevok and went to his level. In her more freedom, more factors beyond the control of, and less cliché.

    It's not perfect. We would like to teammates played in the history of a more active role. That in the last hours of the game was more than life itself. To personal    In Pillars of Eternity has everything she needed to resemble a classic, but it almost got rid of atavism Infinity-rolevok and went to his level. In her more freedom, more factors beyond the control of, and less cliché.

    It's not perfect. We would like to teammates played in the history of a more active role. That in the last hours of the game was more than life itself. To personal fortress (as we have here is a personal fortress) gave the gameplay is something else besides linked to the timer settings and missions. I would like a lot. And it does not matter.

    Largely Pillars of Eternity feels like pen test ... but still very successful. We need more such games, now for sure.    … Expand
  78. Maquiame
    Mar 28, 2015
    9
    The best game of this type hands down aside from Planescape: Torment. I enjoy this title and its fantastic setting even more than Baldur's Gate 2. And much love for the Vailians! People of color with a great role in the world!
  79. Exeunt
    Mar 28, 2015
    9
    It really is Baldur's Gate 3. They took out a lot of the stuff that was annoying too. No Minsk (yet).

    But the handpainted backgrounds are gorgeous, the story as far as I am in it is compelling and the combat is challenging.What wore could you want?
  80. Samaray
    Apr 1, 2015
    10
    Such a fantastic game! Yes maybe the graphics could have been better and annoyances here and there do not make it a flawless game. However, considering the fact that they made this game without a publisher and trying something that has not been done for many years and meeting the expectations of the backers that wanted this game is pretty impressive. I can't wait to see how good it turnsSuch a fantastic game! Yes maybe the graphics could have been better and annoyances here and there do not make it a flawless game. However, considering the fact that they made this game without a publisher and trying something that has not been done for many years and meeting the expectations of the backers that wanted this game is pretty impressive. I can't wait to see how good it turns out if they decide to make POE into a franchise. It is safe to say then that Pillars of Eternity 2 will be just as good as Baldur's gate 2 if they put the same effort.… Expand
  81. qnoppers
    Apr 2, 2015
    10
    I was a backer for this game on Kickstarter, and have very much been looking forward to it. I have played roughly 30 hours of this game since its release, and I do not regret so much as a single second, even though my thesis should technically have been handed in a couple of days ago (those guys at university are not the boss of me).

    I come from the old school infinity engine RPGs, and    I was a backer for this game on Kickstarter, and have very much been looking forward to it. I have played roughly 30 hours of this game since its release, and I do not regret so much as a single second, even though my thesis should technically have been handed in a couple of days ago (those guys at university are not the boss of me).

    I come from the old school infinity engine RPGs, and I regard Baldur's Gate and Planescape: Torment as the pinnacle(s) of computer roleplaying games, the first with an edge in terms of combat and the latter unrivalled in lore and storytelling. This game combines them. Sure the combat is a bit clunky (like it was back then), but I far prefer the clunky emphasis on strategy and positioning to the button mashing of some newer RPGs (like DA2 and 3, which are terrible games partly because of it, and the Witcher 2, which is a great game in spite of it). The new types of classes also work very well, and definitely add to the gameplay.

    POE does not have the well known epic lore of Forgotten Realms, and I was afraid this would be an issue for me, but so far the world seems well constructed, credible and feels consistent.

    The NPCs are a selling point for this game. They do not feel generic NPCs, but like actual companions, they have their own reasons for following you, and the characters have stories that you can delve into if you care for it.

    If there is one thing I do consider sub-par, it would be the voice acting. It is not terrible, it is just not as good as that of David Warner or Jim Cummings. I saw a guy giving this game a score of 3 solely based on bad voice acting and him preferring European accents over American. That is completely undeserved; the voice acting is mediocre at worst and definitely not reason enough for bashing this game. It is a shame though, as the writing is really good.

    All fans of the old infinity engine games need should play this game. I give it my warm recommendation and I am looking forward to replaying it again and again. Also my expectations for Tides of Numenera have increased greatly because of it.    … Expand
  82. sodamonster
    Apr 2, 2015
    10
    There are dozens of individual positives about this game that I could go on for hours about, but I'll just boil it down to the top three.

    1) The writing. I can't imagine how long it took them to write such superb dialogue for all that thousands of characters. Never once did I come across a line that I thought was cheesy or out of place. 2) The customization. Your character can be    There are dozens of individual positives about this game that I could go on for hours about, but I'll just boil it down to the top three.

    1) The writing. I can't imagine how long it took them to write such superb dialogue for all that thousands of characters. Never once did I come across a line that I thought was cheesy or out of place.

    2) The customization. Your character can be anyone. With the dynamic character creation system, and how your character progresses with every increase in level, it's amazing how much replay-ability this game has. Add in the disposition and reputations systems, there are complex algorithms at work, changing how every NPC in the game responds to you based on every decision you make. Simply elegant.

    3) The difficulty. Even on normal, on my first time through the game, there are certain fights that take every ounce of strategy and planning that I could muster. Some took several tries. None of these fights are based on luck, which is something I enjoy. It's all about skill. If you can plan and control an encounter, you will come out on top.

    In summary, this game is amazing. Play it now.    … Expand
  83. 74Dolamite
    Apr 3, 2015
    10
    This game is absolutely amazing, if you loved old school Baldurs you can't go wrong... A rich story full of funny and witty companions and great combat you will not be disappointed. The combat is very fun & challenging and forces you to use your brain...This brings back memories of Baldurs Gate, Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights but updated for today's consumption.

    Well Done Obsidian    This game is absolutely amazing, if you loved old school Baldurs you can't go wrong... A rich story full of funny and witty companions and great combat you will not be disappointed. The combat is very fun & challenging and forces you to use your brain...This brings back memories of Baldurs Gate, Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights but updated for today's consumption.

    Well Done Obsidian Entertainment masterfully done.    … Expand
  84. Jose1985
    Apr 4, 2015
    9
    this is the best RPG in years and years. Deep and complex..., you are going to enjoy it as hell if you liked baldur gate. Pure o!d school.Guaranteed hundred of hours of freedom and deep adult content
  85. Abigredwagon
    Apr 4, 2015
    10
    A stunning triumph. The right mixture of visual beauty, mechanical brilliance, and elaborate prose that elevate the story telling above the mere sum of its parts. An example of how to spin a good yarn in a video game without trying to clumsily shoehorn aspects of film or bog down the action with the meandering pace of a good novel. It understands the strengths of agency andA stunning triumph. The right mixture of visual beauty, mechanical brilliance, and elaborate prose that elevate the story telling above the mere sum of its parts. An example of how to spin a good yarn in a video game without trying to clumsily shoehorn aspects of film or bog down the action with the meandering pace of a good novel. It understands the strengths of agency and interactivity in story telling and is one of the few, the very very few games that stand oh their own as art. It is the best a story has every been told in a game.… Expand
  86. NerPan
    Apr 4, 2015
    9
    This game is a dream after years of modern childish uninspired console oriented **** games. The feeling, that old feeling, is back again. Every Baldur's Gate fan shouldn't miss this gem
  87. greywolf00
    Apr 6, 2015
    9
    TL;DR: Really captures the BG vibe. Highly recommended for fans of the IE games. Writing is solid throughout, even if some companions are a bit flat. The new mechanics are a mixed bag of hits and misses. Wish there was a higher level cap. Glad I backed it, and can’t wait for the expansion and future continuations of the series.

    If you miss the good old days of BG, do yourself a favor    TL;DR: Really captures the BG vibe. Highly recommended for fans of the IE games. Writing is solid throughout, even if some companions are a bit flat. The new mechanics are a mixed bag of hits and misses. Wish there was a higher level cap. Glad I backed it, and can’t wait for the expansion and future continuations of the series.

    If you miss the good old days of BG, do yourself a favor and just buy this now. For those of you who have managed to miss one of the best CRPGs ever made keep reading for the rundown.

    PoE uses a RTwP system with plenty of options for auto-pausing, as well as a slow mode to briefly slow the action down and get your tactics set. While your uncontrolled party members lack an AI like BG (used spells on their own based on AI chosen) they do auto attack without input.

    A lot of the more complex rules are gone and things are much simpler for new comers (no need to know what THAC0 is). Many abilities have a limited number of uses per combat and other have a limited number per rest always providing choices in combat. At higher difficulties the number of enemies grows, you get higher enemies types (Black Ooze > Lesser Black Ooze), and the number of camping supplies you can carry is extremely limited (Hard and up). Depending on how much problems you have with combat this could be an issue. Crafting has also been added, though it’s far from a great implementation in my opinion.

    The diversity of races and classes doesn't disappoint. Each race has a choice between two subraces which gives them a racial bonus. Many of the races, and classes, will be familiar in general make up to normal fantasy tropes, but there's also some unique things like God touched (the lack of a helm is a drawback) and Ciphers. Character creation overall is pretty good and adding in custom portraits is quite easy.

    Some of the newly designed systems do fall a bit flat though. The new stat system really lowers the importance of min/maxing. On the one hand this means casual players won’t be stopped by bad builds, but people who enjoy character building may feel let down by the diminished emphasis on stats. XP is no longer given on a by kill basis, instead being rewarded for bestiary additions. For example, a little bit of experience the first few times you fight a monster till you know everything about it, then none at all. Depending on play style this can lead to a fair amount of unrewarding combat.

    A minor complaint includes most NPCs not feeling as interesting as BG. The low level cap (12) is disappointing, though understandable. You will most likely hit the cap long before the game is over if you pursue most side quests. After that point the lack of character progression feels a bit unrewarding sadly. Considering they designed a ruleset from scratch and had a limited budget it’s understandable, but still a bit of a let down. I expect this ground up design is also the reason for the limited number of abilities and spells compared to AD&D.

    Unfortunately at the time of this review there are bugs. Obsidian is still patching, but their official communication regarding it has been pretty poor. However, they are an established midrange studio so we know it's coming, eventually.    … Expand
  88. Anastasi
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    THIS IS SO AWESOME!!! i can't really describe my feelings...that's like orgasm for an old school player!! that is a must have game, you can.t miss it.
  89. yyh5118
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    If you are a true fan of simple design (though artistic), flawless deep storyline, and lots of interactions between characters, then BUY THIS. I have played BG1 and BG2 and some other D&D games, but I can assure you this will be the best among them, and history will remember that way. I was personally very surprised that the company made this game so awesome. I doubted them at first. (IfIf you are a true fan of simple design (though artistic), flawless deep storyline, and lots of interactions between characters, then BUY THIS. I have played BG1 and BG2 and some other D&D games, but I can assure you this will be the best among them, and history will remember that way. I was personally very surprised that the company made this game so awesome. I doubted them at first. (If you are first comer to this genre, you might have to take some time...like 3-4 hours to get used to it.)… Expand
  90. His_Majesty
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    Last year we got Divinity: Original Sin, Wasteland 2, Shadowrun: Dragonfall and Lords of Xulima. The cRPG renaissance seems well underway and Pillars of Eternity continues that trend.
  91. JohnChildermass
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    It's really the reincarnation of Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale: It looks like BG, it feels like BG and I just wanted to play another hour and a few quests later half of the night was gone.
    Its strengths are clearly the story, the writing, the graphic design (if you like it, what I do) and the character system.
    I experienced few Bugs (one game breaking with the ranger companion) and the    It's really the reincarnation of Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale: It looks like BG, it feels like BG and I just wanted to play another hour and a few quests later half of the night was gone.
    Its strengths are clearly the story, the writing, the graphic design (if you like it, what I do) and the character system.
    I experienced few Bugs (one game breaking with the ranger companion) and the path finding is in great need of improvement - but I'm sure this will be handled with a patch soon.
    I absolutely do not regret backing it on kickstarter.    … Expand
  92. Gratson
    Apr 14, 2015
    10
    Finally an RPG that feels like the old classics, with storyling and dialogue that is interesting and well written. The mechanics are close to Baldur's Gate, albeit without all of the fancy-smanshy Dragon Age graphics. If you enjoy classic RPGs like me, and don't require top of the art graphics to enjoy the experience, this is a definite buy.
  93. Rilke21
    Apr 28, 2015
    10
    I never really got into Baldur's gate. I came to it late, and the game was too dated for me to really sink my teeth into it. After finishing my first Pillars of Eternity run (clocking in at a whopping 65 hours!) I'm excited to revisit the old classics.

    This game is exceptional. The attention to detail is pretty much unprecedented. The story is compelling, the characters are interesting,    I never really got into Baldur's gate. I came to it late, and the game was too dated for me to really sink my teeth into it. After finishing my first Pillars of Eternity run (clocking in at a whopping 65 hours!) I'm excited to revisit the old classics.

    This game is exceptional. The attention to detail is pretty much unprecedented. The story is compelling, the characters are interesting, the writing is (mostly) excellent and combat is a fun challenge.

    The challenge with this game is this: it isn't flashy. There is plenty of text to read. Combat is hard and the learning curve is high. In other words, you need to accept a much slower pace then in most games. You need to let your imagination take over for what other games accomplish with flashy cinematics and motion capture.

    This is a game to be imagined as much as played, and that is by no means a bad thing. But, if you aren't willing to settle into the slower pace, you will probably think of this game as a waste of money. You've been warned.

    For those who give this game a chance, it is an experience you will remember!

    PS: At first I was overwhelmed by the walls of seemingly pointless text from the Gold Names NPCs...and then I realized this was the backer developed content, and I could ignore it entirely! The pace of the game picked up considerably :)    … Expand
  94. mech
    Apr 9, 2015
    8
    This is a pretty impressive game, but it is far from perfect. There are plenty of reviews covering the good parts, so I'll just focus on what I didn't like. My problems with this game are:

    - Most of the side quests are boring, inconsequential fetch/find quests. This was very disappointing, as I think side quests are what makes or breaks an RPG game. Party characters and factions are    This is a pretty impressive game, but it is far from perfect. There are plenty of reviews covering the good parts, so I'll just focus on what I didn't like. My problems with this game are:

    - Most of the side quests are boring, inconsequential fetch/find quests. This was very disappointing, as I think side quests are what makes or breaks an RPG game. Party characters and factions are bland and I didn't really care which one I was doing quests for so long as I maximized the rewards. Party dialogues/development are not even a shadow of KotoR (or Dragon Age: Origins as a more recent example).

    - The game is very combat heavy, so much that it often feels like a bit more sophisticated version of Diablo (the "mega dungeon" under the keep IS essentially Diablo 1). By the end of the game I was quite tired of combat because every fight involves TONS of repetitive micromanagement (casting the same buffs with the priest character over and over, ensuring that the wizards spams spells with no downtime, making sure to use the "per encounter" abilities as much as possible). I seriously wish half of them were auto-cast, or that the game had some sort of AI editor (like "tactics" in DA:O). Additionally the game limits the times you can rest without going back to town to 2 on hard difficulty, which serves no purpose other than to make you sit through up to 10 loading screens just to make the trip to re-supply and back to the dungeon.

    - Later into the game the creatures suddenly all start having "mind control" spells that you can't defend against until VERY late into the game (I think you can actually finish it without even getting to that level). They will mostly target your ranged/caster characters, and they will switch their weapons to melee for some stupid reason. Your other characters will immediately happily start attacking the controlled character unless you explicitly tell them not to. Now imagine how it feels doing the "don't attack him" / "switch back to proper weapon" EVERY BLOODY TIME that they cast the mind control spell.

    - Pathfinding is pretty broken in combat, characters will get stuck running into walls or another characters. It seems like most of the time they will only try to use the direct route even if it is impassable, ignoring a longer route that exists and that has to be programmed manually through shift-clicking.

    TL,DR: too few interesting side quests, bland characters, too much repetitive fighting with annoying (borderline broken) AI.    … Expand
  95. Tubey
    Apr 5, 2015
    8
    It hurts to not give this a perfect score, because so many parts of the game deserve it, but there are a few faults that prevent it from reaching such heights.

    I'll get the good out of the way first - it is a masterpiece of storytelling and perfectly drags in the player to the narrative and atmosphere and doesn't let go. It's pretty linear stuff - like being on rails but having a lot of    It hurts to not give this a perfect score, because so many parts of the game deserve it, but there are a few faults that prevent it from reaching such heights.

    I'll get the good out of the way first - it is a masterpiece of storytelling and perfectly drags in the player to the narrative and atmosphere and doesn't let go. It's pretty linear stuff - like being on rails but having a lot of interesting scenery that you can reach out and touch - but the linearity doesn't get in the way of the core gameplay; there's an incredible amount of fun to be had here if you take it for what it is. Whilst not next-gen super resolution graphics, it never needed that - the art style is direct from the Infinite engine RPGs and is crisp, clear and spot on. The world works, and this game is in many respects a masterpiece that not only is a homage to Baldur's Gate and Planescape Torment, in many ways it surpasses them.

    Now the not so good - it has a fair amount of bugs. Fairly game breaking ones too where you can lose hours of gameplay if not careful. That's the least concerning minus point to the game though as they will be patched and fixed. The main problems are twofold - combat, and the constant feeling that this game stretched its budget to the maximum, exposing very frayed edges.

    Combat is a mess, really. It's a frantic key smasher in the hope you get the end result. This can be forgiven as it was also a fault of Baldur's Gate, but you'd have hoped they could have improved upon it. But the rough edges... this is what constantly draws me out of enjoying this game as the masterpiece it otherwise is. Narration is good, but low budget. Voice acting is below par, again reflecting the limited budget. There are certain sections of the game that take giant leaps from one part of the game to the next with only a slideshow narrative to explain it, almost like they run out of time and budget to include it in the game.

    The reason I'm focussing so hard on these issues is because I REALLY wanted to score this a 10, but I have to justify why I can't. That said, this is a must buy for most people who enjoy RPGs, but you just get the feeling that if a AAA company plowed money behind the guys behind this and really let them off the leash, we could get one of the greatest games ever made. As it is, this is "only" one of the best games of the year and the best isometric RPG made in the last decade.

    Buy it, basically.    … Expand
  96. Iduakil
    Apr 10, 2015
    10
    I`ve bought the game 1 day after release and it totally made to stop playing Cities: Skylines (another great game in this year). I`ve been playing it non stop and will continue to do for a long time for sure. I am sure I`m gona try out at least the PoTD mode and all made adventurers group compared to my current Hard Mode NPC picked party.

    Game is great. I totally received a game I was    I`ve bought the game 1 day after release and it totally made to stop playing Cities: Skylines (another great game in this year). I`ve been playing it non stop and will continue to do for a long time for sure. I am sure I`m gona try out at least the PoTD mode and all made adventurers group compared to my current Hard Mode NPC picked party.

    Game is great. I totally received a game I was hoping I would get. Game is trully a modern BG2. Music, UI, dialogs, options, game flow, active pause, all bring this nostalgic feeling of playing yet another fantastic great game from Black Isle Studios .... take that back - Obsidian. Some mechanics are a bit controversial but all in all it just a matter of taste how you aproach them f.e. rest mechanic, combat, AI abuse. Overall you recieve a wonderful game well worth it`s price. To be completely honest I regret now I didn`t back the game when it was on Kickstarter.

    It`s a fine game and compared to most recent moderns RPGs the game has a real world, a real story. Overall game is a 9/10 but compared to recent BioWare games it`s a damn 10/10 and I`ll go with that score in my review.    … Expand
  97. mbcu
    Mar 31, 2015
    9
    A great game by backers flawed by backers

    First of all as veteran player of Baldur's Gate and Planespace Torment, I welcome the new class and combat system. If you haven't played them then suffice to say that I share the developers' opinion that D&D rules are too rigid. Want to open chests ? Go back to town and get that thief. Why can't my fighter lockpick a chest ? Likewise mages can    A great game by backers flawed by backers

    First of all as veteran player of Baldur's Gate and Planespace Torment, I welcome the new class and combat system. If you haven't played them then suffice to say that I share the developers' opinion that D&D rules are too rigid. Want to open chests ? Go back to town and get that thief. Why can't my fighter lockpick a chest ? Likewise mages can only cast spell, monks can only fight unarmed. In PoE class system still exists but not to limit but to provide a template. You are free to develop your own class which capitalizes on any attribute. So yes, intelligent barbarians exist and they wreak havoc. They can lockpick chests too.
    As for combat if rush and click is what you are used to then you will be wasted in no time. When I started, I suffered many deaths because that's what I did. But I find afterwards that a fight that killed me many times could be won easily by employing my companions and observing my enemies. Take my wizard for example. He used to be standing behind my tank shooting puny pathetic bolts. But I learned that if I bothered to prepare him with the right spells before a fight, I could get him to paralyze the big bad monster leaving a short work for my fighter. This game is pretty challenging and there's little room for error. Fights are sometimes win big or die so preparation is the key.
    I like the graphics although I feel the engine is not running at full speed. The good news is this game is light in term of computing power.
    Voice acting however is a mixed bag. I think they all speak monotonously. There is no more Jon Irenicus for sure, only subpar actors. Writing is uneven. Although the idea is nothing new, it is wrapped in mysteries and shrouds that keep me going for more. My companions however are generic. These guys hardly feel like the work of the creative team that did Baldur's Gate or Torment. In term of their characterization, I think this game is more comparable to Icewind Dale. Also I dislike the use of expletives in this game. For me using curse words like sh*t or fck to paint emotion particularly in a Tolkienesque fantasy setting is lazy writing. I believe I have never heard such words in previous Black Isle games. Still this is probably a biased opinion.
    What really annoys me is the "backers' shrines": plaques, monuments showing the names of Kickstarter VIP backers and their weird quotes. It really ruins the atmosphere to find a plaque saying "greetings from Hong Kong" while crawling in a dungeon. Of course you can just ignore them.    … Expand
  98. dohgeh
    Apr 9, 2015
    8
    A good game that will definitively remind you of the classic, nostalgic, Balders Gate days. Pillars of Eternity is one of the best examples of perfect story telling. It's almost like reading a fantastic book, it immerses you into the book making you want more. A chunk of the game is reading a book. When events happen it sometimes shows no gameplay, but rather has awesome sound effects andA good game that will definitively remind you of the classic, nostalgic, Balders Gate days. Pillars of Eternity is one of the best examples of perfect story telling. It's almost like reading a fantastic book, it immerses you into the book making you want more. A chunk of the game is reading a book. When events happen it sometimes shows no gameplay, but rather has awesome sound effects and great writing. The story is pretty good, I haven't noticed any plot holes or anything around that nature, but it doesn't take the time to avoid the cliches that everybody just has to use. Example: Let's go hunt for no reason to show you how to play the game. Ahh!!! Ambush!!! Quick, kill em'! That was tough, let's go back to our camp. OH MY GOD! It's the all mighty bandit leader tough dude! Sweet talk him to let our camp leader go, or stomp his ace! See what I mean, it's annoying, but definitely not horrible. The combat I must say is pretty boring until later on. No real strategy towards it, besides having to slightly think where you want to put your players. Overall, it is a good game that needs to be played by fans of games like Wasteland 2 or Balders Gate.… Expand
  99. Fruban
    Apr 9, 2015
    10
    I was hooked before finishing the tutorial area. Every aspect of the character you create oozes in every aspect of important dialogue, making this game feel as though it places even more importance on your character creation choices than the classic Infinity Engine games. All of the old mechanics that worked are either preserved, improved upon, or added to, making Pillars of Eternity anI was hooked before finishing the tutorial area. Every aspect of the character you create oozes in every aspect of important dialogue, making this game feel as though it places even more importance on your character creation choices than the classic Infinity Engine games. All of the old mechanics that worked are either preserved, improved upon, or added to, making Pillars of Eternity an excellent amalgamation of classic computer RPGs.… Expand
  100. nomemory
    Mar 27, 2015
    9
    This is the type of game I enjoy playing. With all the hyped crap being released lately POE is a breeze of fresh air. I hope publishers and game studios realize that story-rich and complex games can still sell lots of copies and there's no reason to dumb down everything.

    Now let me say something about the game. It is brilliant. The story is way above average, the writing is quite    This is the type of game I enjoy playing. With all the hyped crap being released lately POE is a breeze of fresh air. I hope publishers and game studios realize that story-rich and complex games can still sell lots of copies and there's no reason to dumb down everything.

    Now let me say something about the game. It is brilliant. The story is way above average, the writing is quite qualitative while the combat is very tactical and fun. The game is has a lot of mechanics and careful planning is advised if you don't want to die very often. Did I say the music is great ?

    Now, don't get me wrong POE has some flaws. For example there are no cut-scenes (probably budget issues), there is no voice acting for all the in game dialog. Also I've felt that companions were not well developed and there's no real party interaction (like in Dragon Age).

    All in all, if you are nostalgic about titles like Baldur's Gate and Fallout 2, and you enjoyed the most recent Divinity Original Sin, please buy this game. You will not be dissapointed.

    I am giving it a 9/10.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best PC Game of 2015
7
#7 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
25
#25 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 71 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 71
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 71
  3. Negative: 0 out of 71
  1. RPGamer
    Jul 7, 2015
    70
    Pillars is a title that should make old-schoolers happy while still offering a solid core game, story, and a rich setting for new-schoolers.
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  2. LevelUp
    May 25, 2015
    93
    Pillars of Eternity stands on its own merits without resorting to nostalgia too much. Truly a CRPG masterpiece, the game offers old school, real-time strategic combat, and a vivid world to explore. Not only do you get an overall well-made experience, but also a challenge you haven't seen since the 90's.
    Read full review
  3. Games Master UK
    May 24, 2015
    82
    A sprawling game in a familiar setting, and a clever tune-up for the cRPG. Just what the backers hoped for. [June 2015, p.74]
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