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. 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.
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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!
  5. 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?
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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.
  15. 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
  16. 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.
  17. 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
  18. 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.
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. zublits
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    This is a true return to form for Obsidian. It's everything I hoped for from an isometric CRPG in 2015. The writing is excellent, the combat is challenging and surprisingly deep (even on normal), and the presentation is lush and alluring. This is the best game I've played in years.
  28. Emphatic
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    Having been a huge fan of the Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale series I can tell you that this is everything it promised to be any more, A true shining gem, if you like Isometric games, you will love it, if like love beautifully crafted stories, you will love it. if you are yearning for an unforgettable RPG experience that hasn't been seen in over a decade, look no further, this game deserveHaving been a huge fan of the Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale series I can tell you that this is everything it promised to be any more, A true shining gem, if you like Isometric games, you will love it, if like love beautifully crafted stories, you will love it. if you are yearning for an unforgettable RPG experience that hasn't been seen in over a decade, look no further, this game deserve all the praise it gets and then some.… Expand
  29. melrief
    Mar 29, 2015
    10
    Pillars of Ethernity is a masterpiece, a game that shows what developers commitment and crowsourcing love can do. The game is a spiritual successor of Baldur's Gate/Icewind Dale/Planescape: Torment but it also improves most of the aspects, like graphic, sound, the combat system and the character customization. The main difference between those games and PoE is the fact that PoE is not aPillars of Ethernity is a masterpiece, a game that shows what developers commitment and crowsourcing love can do. The game is a spiritual successor of Baldur's Gate/Icewind Dale/Planescape: Torment but it also improves most of the aspects, like graphic, sound, the combat system and the character customization. The main difference between those games and PoE is the fact that PoE is not a D&D game and doesn't use any of the D&D settings. I was a bit worried about this because D&D 2nd edition is very rich and recreating something even similar requires a lot of time, but the PoE team surprised me: the game mechanics are good, sometime even better than old games. The strategy is dominant in every battle and the game is challenging even at lower difficulties. The non-linear progress of the game can be a pain for people used to games with linear progression, but the result is a realistic world in which you must be careful and wise.

    Graphics and sound are amazing. In particular I find the soundtrack inspired and well placed.

    If I have to find a problem in the game, probably I would point out that the story is not completely original; sometimes it resemble a certain game about past lives...but honestly that could be considered a feature of the game, considering that the other game is another masterpiece.

    I recommend this game but not to everybody: the game is challenging, story-driven and sometimes slow, e.g. when reading dialogs. You have to like this kind of games to love this game.    … Expand
  30. skyrage
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    First of all, the game is awesome! Its almost everything I had hoped for if there was a BG3. Now, I wanted to comment about some of the bad reviews...a few of them were valid, but alot of them seems to be complaining that PoE is lacking elements of modern RPGs, like Dragon Age. Seriously? The whole premise of the kickstarter project for Obsidian was to go back to its roots and recreate theFirst of all, the game is awesome! Its almost everything I had hoped for if there was a BG3. Now, I wanted to comment about some of the bad reviews...a few of them were valid, but alot of them seems to be complaining that PoE is lacking elements of modern RPGs, like Dragon Age. Seriously? The whole premise of the kickstarter project for Obsidian was to go back to its roots and recreate the classic RPG magic in games like BG that we know and love. They told you this, countless times. And you are giving PoE a bad review cause its too much like BG and not enough like Dragon Age?! WTH, this is like you knowingly walked into a burger joint, order a burger, ate it, then proceed to complain and give the burger joint a bad review cause their burger didnt taste like the pizza you wanted...seriously wth.… Expand
  31. tamimh
    Mar 29, 2015
    10
    This game will take you back on a time travel to the good old days of PST, BG, IWD when all the best RPG games ever created. A magnificent atmosphere interesting story and a comfortable engine. good job to all the people in Obsidian. I am glad I'm a backer.
  32. Freesoul
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    The game we've been waiting for more than a decade !!! and so far it looks like a masterpiece,
    Oldschool gameplay with nowaday tech :)
    Thank you Obsidian !!!
  33. SCompadre
    Mar 31, 2015
    10
    Do you need a deep, mature and incredible story? do you like rpg? awesome and complex combat? vasts amounts of choice? look no further, GET. PILLARS. OF. ETERNITY. ASAP.
  34. cicimbus
    Mar 28, 2015
    9
    Perfect, I really pleasantly surprised, super graphics, playing super, super environment ... control.. so this is a little worse, perhaps will be tunes in the next update ... 9/10 because you can NOT have love(wife) !
  35. Gishnak
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    The first RPG in a long time that really works in all senses. There are a few bugs out there, but I've not encountered any yet and I'm sure these will be patched shortly.
  36. RaZeLSKi
    Apr 1, 2015
    10
    I have played Baldurs Gate many times, even Enhanced Editions, I just love that games. What I did not realise was that I will be playing Baldurs Gate on steroids soon enough. Obsidian took what was great in it, enhanced everything else and Pillars of Eternity was born. Beautiful locations, great story and mechanics. When bard first join my team I thought it would be a mage with differentI have played Baldurs Gate many times, even Enhanced Editions, I just love that games. What I did not realise was that I will be playing Baldurs Gate on steroids soon enough. Obsidian took what was great in it, enhanced everything else and Pillars of Eternity was born. Beautiful locations, great story and mechanics. When bard first join my team I thought it would be a mage with different spells. But no, each class has unique mechanics and it makes the game even greater. Each level and there are 12 makes a difference, and experience is made such way, that on hard you have more epic battles without exping to fast.

    It is a must for each RPG fan, but remember it is a real RPG. It is hard, but gives much satisfaction, you need to read a lot and will not suit everyone. So think about it before you will buy it. For me it is worth every cent I gave for it. And I wait for more.    … Expand
  37. pgorny
    Mar 30, 2015
    10
    I've played many many games in my life, but finished only about 15... 7 of them were in some way related to the Black Isle Studios or Interplay. Now these guys - as Obsidian - publish Pillars of Eternity. Bought it on day one (unfortunately I didn't know about the game during Kickstarter).

    What happened? I got totally immersed, soaked by the game! It's so engaging in terms of the    I've played many many games in my life, but finished only about 15... 7 of them were in some way related to the Black Isle Studios or Interplay. Now these guys - as Obsidian - publish Pillars of Eternity. Bought it on day one (unfortunately I didn't know about the game during Kickstarter).

    What happened?

    I got totally immersed, soaked by the game! It's so engaging in terms of the story, I love reading all those descriptions of people, their stories, behaviours etc. I also enjoy the fight, but I don't press for it too much - yes you have such an option!

    Obsidian - this is really good work. Congratulations! And thank you!    … Expand
  38. SirRobert82
    Mar 31, 2015
    10
    I backed this game, and got exactly what i bargained for. Great job Obsidian! Love the game! Amazing story, great characters, beautiful world and plenty of quest. The combat took a while to get used to, but now i really like it. A+
  39. Speedball
    Apr 1, 2015
    10
    Overall a game the delivers on all the Kickstarter promises and stands out as an exceptional cRPG, especially in comparison to genre that lauds things like DA:I as RPG of the year. The variety of backgrounds, classes, and cultures provides ample space for writing your own story (unhampered by preset PCs or full voice acting). I recommend this game without reservation for anyone wanting aOverall a game the delivers on all the Kickstarter promises and stands out as an exceptional cRPG, especially in comparison to genre that lauds things like DA:I as RPG of the year. The variety of backgrounds, classes, and cultures provides ample space for writing your own story (unhampered by preset PCs or full voice acting). I recommend this game without reservation for anyone wanting a deep narrative and mechanically nuanced role playing game.… Expand
  40. Paladinus
    Apr 7, 2015
    9
    Though I haven't finished the game, I can assure it provides what it promises: a good old.school RPG, worthy of being considered Baldur's Gate successor. Stats and skills do not only affect combat, but also open new options during interactions. Each time we speak, the game takes it into account, and over time, what we say has some impact on our gameplay and future interactions (not alwaysThough I haven't finished the game, I can assure it provides what it promises: a good old.school RPG, worthy of being considered Baldur's Gate successor. Stats and skills do not only affect combat, but also open new options during interactions. Each time we speak, the game takes it into account, and over time, what we say has some impact on our gameplay and future interactions (not always in a decisive way, but it has more impact than in most RPG's). Difficulty is pretty decent on hard so far, so I'm satisfied with it. Excellent crafting and upgrading system, which is both easy and does not require harvesting tons of materials.
    The thing that pleases me the most is the incredibly wide range of options you have to solve each quest.
    It lacks cutscenes (or cinematics, better) for certain interactions, more (and a bit better) voice acting and a less overwhelming lore during the first stages of the game. However, I know the budget was not very high, so I consider it more than enough. A great job indeed.    … Expand
  41. Lvce
    Apr 25, 2015
    10
    Great..Everything, from the combat mechanics to the dialogues it is so inspired that doesn't only looks like BG3, but will feel like too. It is you playing a 15y old game updated in every aspect that is NOT a Hd remastered version. The lore it is monumental and pleasant during it's read-only unveiling. That's a job well done
  42. GogoFFVI
    Apr 21, 2015
    10
    A great game with a great story and interesting sidequests with different options to choose from, real attention to detail, nice lore, good gameplay. Stick with it a little after the start and you'll get hooked if you're a fan of rpgs. I've put 90+ hours in this game and still playing, games like skyrim should learn from well written games like Pillars of Eternity.
  43. thermoplastics
    Dec 9, 2015
    9
    PRO: Rich storytelling
    One of the main highlights of Pillars of Eternity is the rich and deeply involved story telling. The minutia to be found in game is almost exasperating. Every aspect of the world and the characters within have a very involved background with many different reactions to the players chosen character (race, class, etc.). On top of this there is often very well done    PRO: Rich storytelling
    One of the main highlights of Pillars of Eternity is the rich and deeply involved story telling. The minutia to be found in game is almost exasperating. Every aspect of the world and the characters within have a very involved background with many different reactions to the players chosen character (race, class, etc.). On top of this there is often very well done voice acting to accompany these scenarios, giving even more life to the game.

    PRO: Deep character creation
    The character creation menu in Pillars of Eternity are highly detailed. The player can choose from six different races that have eleven playable classes. There is also an assortment of sub races for each of the six races. Making for a pretty wide selection of choices that allows the player to create very individualized avatars.

    PRO: Combat requires forethought
    The combat in Pillars of Eternity usually requires a good bit of planning. Depending on the monsters one is facing the scenario shifts on how one needs to react. Fighting a couple of bandits will call for a complete different reaction than fighting a large dragon. Players have to adapt constantly, which creates an exciting atmosphere and a good bit of tension. The use of the space bar (or having a setting that auto pauses) to pause the game is key in planning how to react to each scenario which thankfully gives the player plenty of time to plan their future actions.

    PRO: Fantastic throwback to the isometric RPGs of old
    For fans of games like Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale, Pillars of Eternity truly succeeds in bringing the CRPG genre into the modern era without compromising any of the old mechanics. The isometric view of the game gives a familiar feel but the new engine and addition of many modern effects gives the game a look all its own that fits in with any modern offerings on PC.

    PRO: Movie quality music
    The quality of the soundtrack is comparable to some of the best CRPGs out there as well as films like Lord of the Rings. At times there are looping soundtracks but luckily the sound design was done in such a way that there is also moments of ambient music and sounds to break up the monotony.

    PRO: Long gameplay
    With a play time of up to 70 hours, Pillars of Eternity will last any player for a good amount of time.

    PRO: Large selection of companions
    A player can have up to five different companions accompany them along their quest. Many of these companions have their own storylines, making for a feeling of connection. There is also the option of hiring your own user created companions at an inn, but of course this may not be as exciting as using the game created ones.

    PRO: Crafting system
    Players can collects items in the world to use for crafting. Crafting allows for creation of potions and scrolls as well as equipable items or enchantments for equipable items such as weapons, shields and armor.

    Unlike some crafting systems, crafting in Pillars of Eternity is a mechanic and not a skill, so there is no need to level up any crafting experience in order to craft.

    PRO: Three editions available that offer extra out of game content
    There are three different digital retail editions available for Pillars of Eternity, Hero Edition ($44.99), Champion Edition ($59.99) and Royal Edition ($89.99). The Hero edition is the base game with no extras. The Champion Edition offers the purchaser extra digital content such as a soundtrack and HD map. The Royal Edition offers everything the Champion Edition does with even more extra digital content such as Ringtones, eBooks and a strategy guide.

    There is zero in game content missing from any of these editions as Obsidian made it a point to make sure all the extras are just that, extras. Some may say what is on offer for the extra editions is not comparable to the price, really it is just a way for fans to give more money to a studio that bothered to create a genre of game that is often overlooked, a way to show appreciation.

    CON: A lot of reading
    The amount of text in game may turn some people off as much of the time spent in game will be spent reading.

    CON: Single player only
    There are no online or co-op modes.

    Full comparison found here: http://www.slant.co/topics/2220/viewpoints/5/~what-are-the-best-crpgs-on-pc~pillars-of-eternity    … Expand
  44. Wiebe
    Feb 27, 2020
    4
    I started this game 3 times, but I couldn't get in it. Maybe if it actually came out in 2005, but it was not engaging enough for me now.
  45. dricks
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    I recently finished the Baldur's gate Enhanced Edition, and then comes Pillars of Eternity.
    It's SO GOOD, i can't believe someone dit it : a game as good as Baldur's gate 2, with a real story and stunning gameplay.
    Thank you Obsidian for making my dream come true !
  46. Brimsurfer
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    This is one hell of a game. Definitely one of the best RPGs since BG series ended. It totally blows away crappy RPGs like DA:I. This game totally worths it. If you like the older Infinity Engine titles, then you are going to love this.
  47. Galaad97
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    Any sane(or not) fan of the baldur's gate, planescape, IWD series of the past ought to give this one a try. It is deep, lengthy and has so much content that you can delve into this world for very many hours :). The presentation is polished and it is simply a great and fun RPG :)
  48. ellimar188
    Apr 5, 2015
    9
    Congratulations, Obsidian: Pillars of Eternity is an extremely fun game! Like most of the users reviewing Pillars, I played and loved the Infinity Engine games, Baldur's Gate 2 being my personal favorite. I think that Pillars successfully captures the "feel" of those old games; the interface, combat, environments (I love the pre-rendered environments!) and dialogue all seem like updatedCongratulations, Obsidian: Pillars of Eternity is an extremely fun game! Like most of the users reviewing Pillars, I played and loved the Infinity Engine games, Baldur's Gate 2 being my personal favorite. I think that Pillars successfully captures the "feel" of those old games; the interface, combat, environments (I love the pre-rendered environments!) and dialogue all seem like updated versions of their IE counterparts. The story and lore are also very interesting, though I think that the Forgotten Realms campaign setting is far more robust due to its age. Obsidian has done a fantastic job in updating the IE-style isometric RPG with Pillars.

    I also think that Obsidian has made some changes that make for a better experience. I find that Pillars, while by no means an easy game, is not nearly as unforgiving as the IE games. I have yet to run into a troll and wipe because I have no fire or fire-based spells! I also love that the classes do not feel as restricted as they did within the Dungeons and Dragons rule set used by the Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale series (unfortunately, I have not played Planescape). Want to be a mage with heavy armor and a sword? Go right ahead! Just know that the armor will slow you down. Further, I really enjoy the text-based encounters that you come across throughout your travels in the game. There is something fun about leaving a scene partially to the player's imagination instead of utilizing cut scenes; it is like the difference between reading a book and watching a movie. I suppose that if you do not enjoy reading this will not appeal to you. However, you SHOULD NOT play this game if you don't like reading. The game often feels like a great novel, a quality that I really enjoy.

    However, Pillars of Eternity does have its flaws. The biggest one, in my opinion, is that while the combat is extremely fun, Pillars actually lacks something that the IE games possessed: customizable AI. In Baldur's Gate, for example, I could utilize scripts that allow my party members to behave in a certain way during combat, though I could still take complete control if I wanted to. Pillars, on the other hand, does not have this feature and requires you to meticulously micromanage your party during combat. This does not bother me a lot (I like micromanaging), but at times I wish that I didn't have to tell my mage to cast magic missiles every time I want him to. Or that my healer would just cast a healing spell when my tank reaches a certain amount of endurance. Hopefully customizable AI scripts will be added in a future patch.

    In addition to the absence of party scripts, I can't help but feel that Pillars of Eternity relies a lot on nostalgia. This isn't necessarily a flaw; I am having a great time with the game and it seems like others are too. However, I am not sure if Pillars will appeal as strongly to players who have not played an IE game. Again, this may not be a problem and I believe that the folks at Obsidian have accomplished what they intended. Pillars is an excellent adventure, though maybe not an adventure for everyone. But then again, what game is?    … Expand
  49. jonnyzero
    Mar 29, 2015
    10
    Pillars of Eternity is nothing short of a masterpiece. Obsidian set out to create a game in the mould of classic RPGs such as Baldur's Gate, but have instead created a game that comfortably sits alongside THE great RPGs. The writing and setting are stunning and the combat is challenging enough to bring you to your knees. It is a "must buy".
  50. icedon
    Apr 12, 2015
    10
    It's like Baldur's Gate II with modern graphics and better story. The Backgrounds are hand-drawn and beautiful, the voice acting, while sparse, is fitting. The NPC's are very memorable and each comes with a unique back-story and personal quest. The music is your classic fantasy score with a lot of different themes for combat, exploration and city background.

    I can recommend this to any    It's like Baldur's Gate II with modern graphics and better story. The Backgrounds are hand-drawn and beautiful, the voice acting, while sparse, is fitting. The NPC's are very memorable and each comes with a unique back-story and personal quest. The music is your classic fantasy score with a lot of different themes for combat, exploration and city background.

    I can recommend this to any serious cRPG player.    … Expand
  51. Gileq
    Mar 31, 2015
    10
    At least. Game where players are treated with respect, not as idiots, like in most AAA games. Decent difficulty level, where scaling up is benefitial.
  52. Suzay
    Apr 2, 2015
    8
    A really fun old school RPG. Deserves all the praise it gets. Engagning while super fun gameplaywise. The tactical combat system in particular deserves some very special praise. All in all, awesome.
  53. Iskhiaro
    May 1, 2015
    10
    I backed this on kickstarter and had high hopes as I approved of the ideas and design decisions made by Obsidian. They really did deliver on all my expectations. The first true gaming kickstarter success story. Other kickstarted games have been good, some have approached greatness, but this is the first to reach it. Game of the Year 2015!
  54. Ananisapta
    Jun 9, 2015
    9
    Fans of Baldur's Gate will be pleased with this retro creation... like visiting the Auburn - Cord - Duesenberg antique car museum. Fans of more realistic and action-packed modern RPGs may find Pillars a bit flat and the combat deadly slow. I was not pleased with the ending... perhaps it was the choices I made, but it seemed little had changed. Life is to continue in a medieval turmoil ofFans of Baldur's Gate will be pleased with this retro creation... like visiting the Auburn - Cord - Duesenberg antique car museum. Fans of more realistic and action-packed modern RPGs may find Pillars a bit flat and the combat deadly slow. I was not pleased with the ending... perhaps it was the choices I made, but it seemed little had changed. Life is to continue in a medieval turmoil of chance and futility, world without end. But to get there was an eternity of talk - talk - talk, punctuated by scads of 30" battles that could take a half-hour to play out. The final battle took me over an hour... and that was on easy difficulty! OK my crew was level 11 rather than the recommended 12, but I couldn't face grinding everybody up another level. Also many of the abilities are cumbersome to use and not intuitive. Part of the challenge is to learn how to play six different characters simultaneously, plus our group had a pet and three kinds of conjured creatures to keep track of. One has to level all these folks individually and tend to their armor and weapon sets, not to mention consumables. The 'top-down' graphics are much less immersive than the virtual reality typical of today's games. The game was made with love and conviction, the voice acting was good but many of the dialogs weren't voiced. Some enemies are unkillable but you won't know which ones until after 30' of waling away on them. And walls of text to read, especially at the end. In summary, a period piece, well made but not awesome.… Expand
  55. iseeall
    Dec 18, 2015
    10
    A great remake of Baldur's Gate 2, I can only agree on everything with other reviewers who gave 10/10. If you like top-down party-based RPGs with huge non-linear worlds, multitudes of spells/abilities and complex character building - buy this game.
  56. cratecruncher
    Jun 29, 2015
    9
    Pillars is a long game with dozens of side quests, dungeons, interesting companion characters, and a unique story. It took me 160 hours to complete the game on my first playthrough. Great game in the traditional Baldurs Gate Infinity Engine mold. Only better because there isn't so much "grindy" map clearing like those old games.
  57. manukosta
    Jul 5, 2015
    10
    Im sorry, but this isnt just another Baldurs Gate....its a vastly improved one, with better mechanics, visuals, great fast pace option toggled with s or d for exploring, and it is the comeback of a genre. THIS is why the game is so special, because these types of games have a market, and its big! Its why people still play tabletop RPGs and Dungeons and Dragons, we dont need the bestIm sorry, but this isnt just another Baldurs Gate....its a vastly improved one, with better mechanics, visuals, great fast pace option toggled with s or d for exploring, and it is the comeback of a genre. THIS is why the game is so special, because these types of games have a market, and its big! Its why people still play tabletop RPGs and Dungeons and Dragons, we dont need the best graphics in 3D to have a great gaming experience. I love Witcher 3 and I love this game. And we definitely need more of these types of games. Strategic, fun CRPG at its best!… Expand
  58. ebo974
    Mar 31, 2015
    10
    A very good game, just like former Black Isle references such BG 1&2... The way to play is old style, probably not suitable for newer players. I'm really happy to see that more and more RPG are like that. The team progression is really cool, and the places to visit are various and classical. Very great work!
  59. fluent
    Mar 30, 2015
    10
    Absolutely amazing. Fans of Baldur's Gate should be as giddy as I am about this one. It's basically Baldur's Gate 2015. Obsidian nailed it. Congrats for creating one of the best RPGs in the last 15 years!
  60. Type4101
    Mar 29, 2015
    9
    An epic RPG in the Baldur's Gate style, by the folks who brought us Baldur's gate! This is a deep, immersive, stat-driven, party-based RPG. RPGs have mostly been abandoned by developers in favor of hyped up, overpriced, unfinished, micro-transaction and DLC based crap. Pillars of Eternity is the opposite of that. It is a full game at a fair price. These developers are fantastic, andAn epic RPG in the Baldur's Gate style, by the folks who brought us Baldur's gate! This is a deep, immersive, stat-driven, party-based RPG. RPGs have mostly been abandoned by developers in favor of hyped up, overpriced, unfinished, micro-transaction and DLC based crap. Pillars of Eternity is the opposite of that. It is a full game at a fair price. These developers are fantastic, and clearly care about the artistic nature of game-making. If Baldur's Gate was a Picasso, then this game (so far...I'm not even near the end yet) is at least a Rembrandt. The real-time/pause combat system isn't my favorite (I prefer the turn-based methods of games like Wasteland 2), and combat frequently devolves into a bunch of exploding colors on the screen that makes it difficult to know what is happening. Still, combat is functional, and not the focus of the game. The focus here is on the detailed world, its broken-willed inhabitants, and a terrible curse that steals the souls from babies. Pillars of Eternity is an awesome RPG that, hopefully, is the start of a great series.… Expand
  61. Lomaxnoah
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    Best rpg for a loooong time, actually one of the few i can really call a RPG nowdays. 10/10 no doubt about it. It is really as close to BG as it gets, if you like this kind of game. Go play it now
  62. mr_cipriani
    Mar 28, 2015
    10
    Thought I've become jaded about games, this one proved me differently. Finally having that same 'feel' I had 15 years ago playing old Infinity Engine games. Thank you Obsidian (and Paradox).
  63. ra_hammerhead
    Mar 29, 2015
    10
    Awesome BG2 and Planescape successor. I really like Russian translation (this is that rarest case when I do play not in the original) and all the lore in the game. Story and quests are interesting as well. What is defferent from BG is this game is really pleasant to read. It is like a book. Combat and character interaction are on very good level. I play it on Path of the Damned difficultyAwesome BG2 and Planescape successor. I really like Russian translation (this is that rarest case when I do play not in the original) and all the lore in the game. Story and quests are interesting as well. What is defferent from BG is this game is really pleasant to read. It is like a book. Combat and character interaction are on very good level. I play it on Path of the Damned difficulty and this is awesome. So many challenges and thoughts needs to be made to approach almost 50-80% of the battles.

    This game worth its time and money. And of course it has amazingly beautiful environment and atmosphere!    … Expand
  64. metamorfoso
    Mar 29, 2015
    10
    This is a phenomenal game. The setting is rich and detailed, the writing is, for the most part, eloquent without being overly purple, the design is solid, and it is all presented in exquisite visual and aural style. Moreover, it's a vindication of Obsidian as a development studio, as well as of the crowdfunding business model for niche gaming.

    A complete and well deserved business,    This is a phenomenal game. The setting is rich and detailed, the writing is, for the most part, eloquent without being overly purple, the design is solid, and it is all presented in exquisite visual and aural style. Moreover, it's a vindication of Obsidian as a development studio, as well as of the crowdfunding business model for niche gaming.

    A complete and well deserved business, technical, and artistic triumph for Obsidian. Bravo.    … Expand
  65. Goalseeker
    Mar 30, 2015
    10
    Finally a RPG game like Baldurs gate. I have been playing for a while and the gameplay is just amazing and the opportunities endless :-) Love the game!
  66. Phintias
    Apr 11, 2015
    7
    I could blithe on about my history with Baldur's Gate 1&2, Icewind Dale, etc... but this isn't about them and really comparing a game today to a classic game, which was a part of my youth isn't really fair anyway; good memories are hard to beat. And that is how I am judging Pillars. Do I get that, "this will leave a good memory" vibe. If i'm honest, I knew this answer pretty fast andI could blithe on about my history with Baldur's Gate 1&2, Icewind Dale, etc... but this isn't about them and really comparing a game today to a classic game, which was a part of my youth isn't really fair anyway; good memories are hard to beat. And that is how I am judging Pillars. Do I get that, "this will leave a good memory" vibe. If i'm honest, I knew this answer pretty fast and it's no. But it does have most of the components for it.

    Pillars is a fun game; I'm enjoying myself and having fun playing. But what holds the score down for me is the writing. The story line is pretty good, and the quest lines are ok, but it feels more often than not, they used writers who went out of their way to create a civilization and it's cultures with very little knowledge how these things work. The history, the various dialects, the ways of life, all seem so forced. All the user created mods can't fix this fundamental flaw. And then there is the user created "back stories" and epitaphs. Most of them needed an editors hand to help clean up their story, and it doesn't seem this happened. The idea is great, in my opinion. But the application should have been vetted more thoroughly. And the books, with history and lore in them, are bad. I want to read them, and do, but it hurts every-time.

    Additionally, I don't think it's worth the 45 on up, US dollars. But money is a fluid thing, and if you have means to spend that kind of money without worry, then your thoughts will be different. So this is more personal opinion. Still...

    Ok, that out of the way, Pillars is still a lot of fun. The game play is quite fun, and I like the combat system a lot. It requires you play your game based on your party. It also gives you enough choices when leveling up to make a character feel somewhat unique. You also get some unique options how to respond depending on your class, build, and choices you've previously made in the game. To me, that's awesome.

    Overall, this is really fun for me. The writing hurts, but it's not horrible. Probably not nearly as-bad-as I make it seem. That said, it does affect immersion in my opinion and lasting appeal. Still, the game play, battles, interactions, ambiance, etc... all more than make up for it. If you like a good D&D style turn-based game, I would be surprised if you didn't enjoy this. There is so much that is fun and enjoyable. If you're a reader, or lover of a good back-story, you may have issues but reading so many other reviews, I think the majority found the writing just fine. So take my criticism with a grain a salt, I suppose.

    Either way, if you do get it, I hope you find it worth the time and money spent. I know I am.

    Happy gaming.    … Expand
  67. Mygaffer
    Apr 14, 2015
    10
    Pillars of Eternity is a beautiful game that gives players a great bounty of options in how to play it and a smaller than expected learning curve.
    The world is rich without becoming stultifying. The lore is built through the descriptions, dialogue, books and even the design of the world itself. As you progress through the game you will feel like you are exploring a real place and    Pillars of Eternity is a beautiful game that gives players a great bounty of options in how to play it and a smaller than expected learning curve.
    The world is rich without becoming stultifying. The lore is built through the descriptions, dialogue, books and even the design of the world itself. As you progress through the game you will feel like you are exploring a real place and interacting with real people. The themes are deep and consistent throughout the game and can cause genuine moments of reflection in the aware gamer.
    Gameplay works very well, it can feel difficult at first but by paying attention to your stats and abilities you will quickly become efficient at combat and feel a real satisfaction at planning and executing a battle plan against a tough group of enemies. Leveling is rewarding, there is no such thing as grinding, and many of the old school design flaws, like buffing yourself before battle, are gone from this game. You do not have to save scum either, as it is possible to disengage and retreat if a battle is going poorly.
    The art is great, the design amazing, and the soundtrack easy to listen to. This game is something special and something I would not have expected to see the light of day even two years ago. An expansion is already confirmed and all of us should hope for many more stories and adventure to come from the world of Eora where PoE takes place.    … Expand
  68. szszsz
    Apr 14, 2015
    10
    its really a ROLE playing game, where you feel your decisions matter while youve got a lot of place to make yout own choices. Not to mention well written plot, characters and couple of genre overall improvements (like speeding up movement, bigger area of effect when it comes to leaving location, easy and logic rpg system, or side quests that are actually connected to the plot - not someits really a ROLE playing game, where you feel your decisions matter while youve got a lot of place to make yout own choices. Not to mention well written plot, characters and couple of genre overall improvements (like speeding up movement, bigger area of effect when it comes to leaving location, easy and logic rpg system, or side quests that are actually connected to the plot - not some dragon-age-pick-up-crystals-bullshieeet).

    only cons i found are rather small maps (but at least they dont feel empty), some side quests using the areas youve been to (eg. you clear the cave full of ogres, then you get a quest to clear it from cultics who are supposed to be there for years already,, feels dumb), leveling cap that can be rather easily met in the mid/late game and battle music which ends exactly when battle ends (instead of some fading), but all of these are really nothing compared to this future classic isometric crpg.

    A MUST HAVE.    … Expand
  69. Prosmooth
    Apr 20, 2015
    10
    I won't lie and say that I've played through the whole game yet. I've played around 20 hours. 20 of the most fun filled hours of my life. Takes the infinity engine formula and tweaks it almost to perfection. Combat can still be a frustrating experience as it was with the games two decades ago--you had better know your skills and spells inside out--even the easy difficulty can be aI won't lie and say that I've played through the whole game yet. I've played around 20 hours. 20 of the most fun filled hours of my life. Takes the infinity engine formula and tweaks it almost to perfection. Combat can still be a frustrating experience as it was with the games two decades ago--you had better know your skills and spells inside out--even the easy difficulty can be a challenge if you go charging into a room like Duke Nukem. Use the autopause and plan things out--that's what it's there for. Other than that--it's very immersive, lore heavy, funny, bawdy, violent and most of all addictive and fun filled. Definite game of the year contender in any category.… Expand
  70. Vasenor
    Apr 16, 2015
    10
    This is one of the best CRPGs I've played. It has both solid combat and excellent plot and characters. All the companions are memorable and have backstories which flesh them out as people beyond their role in the game.

    One thing I'd note is that you expect a cheerful high fantasy romp this isn't it. The game world is not a nice place and you're more likely to be faced with a corpse at    This is one of the best CRPGs I've played. It has both solid combat and excellent plot and characters. All the companions are memorable and have backstories which flesh them out as people beyond their role in the game.

    One thing I'd note is that you expect a cheerful high fantasy romp this isn't it. The game world is not a nice place and you're more likely to be faced with a corpse at the end of a missing person quest than a heroic rescue. You're often faced with having to pick the least worst alternative.    … Expand
  71. Jimomedota
    Apr 17, 2015
    10
    Awesome game never thought id like a crpg so much the game mechanics r awesome the sceneries are a joy to view it maybe a bit ready but thats fine but the only problem is the load but its negligible simply amazing
  72. Messerschmitt
    Mar 31, 2015
    10
    A great game. So far I played for about 10 hours and loved every minute of it. Don't listen to the malcontents! This is how crpg supposed to look like: clever mechanics, deep and interesting lore, mysterious plot, many ways of resolving problems (especially in conversations), great music, graphics and atmosphere. The only flaw is that fights tend to be a bit to chaotic. Anyway the game isA great game. So far I played for about 10 hours and loved every minute of it. Don't listen to the malcontents! This is how crpg supposed to look like: clever mechanics, deep and interesting lore, mysterious plot, many ways of resolving problems (especially in conversations), great music, graphics and atmosphere. The only flaw is that fights tend to be a bit to chaotic. Anyway the game is fantastic and it's worth every penny! Stop reading reviews - buy it!… Expand
  73. SilentHunterUA
    Apr 8, 2015
    10
    I am 20 years old, and i didn't play Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Planescape: Torment.
    Everyone compares Pillars Of Eternity to those games.
    I don't get the nostalgia. But! If BG,ID,PT are a lot like PoE, i will play the **** out of them! Because Pillars Of Eternity is just awesome. You can truly ROLE PLAY everyone. Not only you can be a good guy saving the world, but you can kill and    I am 20 years old, and i didn't play Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Planescape: Torment.
    Everyone compares Pillars Of Eternity to those games.
    I don't get the nostalgia. But! If BG,ID,PT are a lot like PoE, i will play the **** out of them!
    Because Pillars Of Eternity is just awesome. You can truly ROLE PLAY everyone. Not only you can be a good guy saving the world, but you can kill and slave everyone, and take prisoners to your own dungeon that you build in your own castle! The variety is huge.
    Some side quest are bigger than main quest in other today's RPGs. Even so trivial quest like bringing a lost book to a priest will throw at you originality. Not gonna spoil it for you :)
    Pillars of Eternity - 10/10 [Honest]    … Expand
  74. pinball123
    Apr 9, 2015
    9
    Amazing game. Great throw back to baldurs gate with some modern twists. I've been wanting this game for so long and it delivers. I miss the forgotten realms setting but the game is still my goty right now.
  75. Drael
    Mar 29, 2015
    10
    This is a perfect game. The depth the story, the challenge. Like a classic RPG, immersive, rewarding, enjoyable - but better, better story, better graphics, better interface, better mechanics. I would say this is better than baldurs gate, or neverwinter nights. A true modern classic. There are lush beautiful art graphics, the strategic combat is really challenging, the role playing is realThis is a perfect game. The depth the story, the challenge. Like a classic RPG, immersive, rewarding, enjoyable - but better, better story, better graphics, better interface, better mechanics. I would say this is better than baldurs gate, or neverwinter nights. A true modern classic. There are lush beautiful art graphics, the strategic combat is really challenging, the role playing is real choice for impact role playing, and the story is engrossing, and the world large and immersive/compelling. 10/10. Hype meet with reality perfectly.… Expand
  76. xouspring
    Apr 8, 2015
    10
    Long time a game didn't capture my attention that much since a long time. Finding myself playing at 2am again, and thinking about the game during the day!
    The combat is fun and rewarding, the game speaks to nostalgia but the graphics are very nice and really capture the atmosphere. Very good writing and rich story.
    Obsidian didn't disappoint!
  77. Drekko
    Apr 9, 2015
    10
    If you like Baldurs Gate, Planscape: Torment then you'll love this game
    This game is like Baldurs Gate but with slightly improved graphics and controls
    Its awesome. Interesting story and characters. Also its quite a challenge !
  78. WaytoomanyUIDs
    Apr 1, 2015
    7
    Is this game as good as it's proponents say it is? No, despite superficial similarities it isnit the second coming of Baldur's Gate.

    Is it a bad game? No, despite mechanical peculiarities and Obsidian's obligatory bugs, its actually good fun. Not great fun, it's a little too grindy for that IMO, but it has an interesting if clichéd world and story, and some solidly written NPC's, as you    Is this game as good as it's proponents say it is? No, despite superficial similarities it isnit the second coming of Baldur's Gate.

    Is it a bad game? No, despite mechanical peculiarities and Obsidian's obligatory bugs, its actually good fun. Not great fun, it's a little too grindy for that IMO, but it has an interesting if clichéd world and story, and some solidly written NPC's, as you would expect from an Obsidian game.

    Not a great game but a good one, well worth picking up ones the obligatory Obsidian bugs are ironed out.    … Expand
  79. keemt
    Apr 4, 2015
    10
    9/10 but rating it 10 b/c people gave 0s.

    To all the people complaining how buggy it is---I played Skyrim 4 YEARS after release, and had to restart my game 3 times because I needed an UNOFFICIAL non-Bethesda patch or the entire main storyline wouldn't start (dragon soul bug). This game is way less buggy than Skyrim. 6 rarest traits from great RPGs    9/10 but rating it 10 b/c people gave 0s.

    To all the people complaining how buggy it is---I played Skyrim 4 YEARS after release, and had to restart my game 3 times because I needed an UNOFFICIAL non-Bethesda patch or the entire main storyline wouldn't start (dragon soul bug). This game is way less buggy than Skyrim.

    6 rarest traits from great RPGs
    ------------------------------------------
    1. Great Story --8/10
    2. Great character development ---7/10
    3. Choice & Consequence ---5/10
    4. Open world ---9/10
    5. Non-linear quests ----10/10
    6. Anonymous, multiple character generation

    The game has great combat, items, and interesting quests and stories. This is basically a better version of the great Spiderweb Software games, meaning it's a big and tightly made masterpiece with negligible flaws. I found the later parts of the story to be much too wordy, however.    … Expand
  80. Benjamin99
    Mar 26, 2015
    9
    Amazing RPG. If you old enough to play Baldurs gate and icewind dale you going to love Pillars of Eternity. I actually think its much better then the latest Dragon age. A must buy for any old school RPG fan.
  81. Liberatus
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    This game is reminiscent of some of my favorite RPG's like Neverwinter Nights, Baldur's Gate and Arcanum. The game can be challenging on even normal difficulty which is something else I appreciate, it is definitely not a walk in the park. The only downfall I can see in this game is there is no multiplayer and no extravagant cut-scenes or graphics. The world does have great art and a hugeThis game is reminiscent of some of my favorite RPG's like Neverwinter Nights, Baldur's Gate and Arcanum. The game can be challenging on even normal difficulty which is something else I appreciate, it is definitely not a walk in the park. The only downfall I can see in this game is there is no multiplayer and no extravagant cut-scenes or graphics. The world does have great art and a huge variety of options. Most quests are not mandatory to move forward and there are many solutions for problems where you can make choices that define your character. One of the few perfect 10's I have played.… Expand
  82. ohioastro
    Apr 5, 2015
    10
    PoE is an example of how you both modernize a game genre and keep the core essence of what people found compelling in the older games. It channels the spirit of games like Baldur's Gate with a new system. You have a protagonist in a six-player party; you can either choose companions with story lines or generate them. There are no class restrictions on armor or weapons. CharacterPoE is an example of how you both modernize a game genre and keep the core essence of what people found compelling in the older games. It channels the spirit of games like Baldur's Gate with a new system. You have a protagonist in a six-player party; you can either choose companions with story lines or generate them. There are no class restrictions on armor or weapons. Character development is solid, with a range of valid approaches. Encounters are interesting tactical puzzles. You'll get slapped around if you’re sloppy.

    There are many clever design upgrades. Damage is taken from a temporary resource (endurance) drawn from a larger pool (health); this allows players to risk more while minimizing save/reload abuse. They ditched the tedium of inventory Tetris with an unlimited stash. This is the sort of change that you only appreciate when you see it. Money is ample, but you won't be able to buy out all of the fancy goods in the stores. The stash system makes crafting useful, not a chore, and it isn’t overpowered.

    The storytelling is stellar. Modern games have all sorts of expensive cinematic flourishes. PoE tells stories with text effectively; 2D graphics are clear and pretty. People who don’t read it will miss a marvelously detailed world with deep themes. Dialog isn’t telegraphed to you, and you can solve many quests without violence. There is no experience for kills, just for discovery and quests; this emphasizes role-playing. You develop reputations and will discover very different opportunities for different approaches.

    For me, the take-away lessons are that you want to focus on the core appeal of older games (tight tactical encounters, character development, and solid storytelling) while shedding mechanical limitations that encouraged tedium and hyper-conservative game play.    … Expand
  83. Malach1te
    Mar 29, 2015
    9
    A true RPG. I didn't expect this after the mediocre experience that was Wasteland 2 and other kickstarter projects but i was hooked from the very intro screen. The setting seems cookie cutter D&D at first, but you will soon notice it's so much more and very mature/believable (as is the writing). I especially like its Celtic and Anglo-Saxon tones.
  84. zaqik
    Apr 12, 2015
    10
    Now I truly became too old that I can enjoy Obsidian's games. Pillars of Eternity consist of concentrate nostalgia about easygoing times and entertaiments that CAN be called Games.
  85. Maneinarr
    Apr 27, 2015
    10
    Absolute must try game if your into tactical rpg games. This is the darker, better overall version of Divinity Original Sin. I see a lot of misplaced nostalgia actually in both of the games, and putting overdramatic feelings aside, both games are fantastic. The only issue here is people tend to favor Divinity because it took advantage of timing, for it was released before pillars ofAbsolute must try game if your into tactical rpg games. This is the darker, better overall version of Divinity Original Sin. I see a lot of misplaced nostalgia actually in both of the games, and putting overdramatic feelings aside, both games are fantastic. The only issue here is people tend to favor Divinity because it took advantage of timing, for it was released before pillars of eternity (aka baldurs gate 3) and got to the gamers before, but in comparison it's lacking depth.

    Why I'm mentioning Divinity? they're very similar, yet they have substantial differences, but for the purpose of comparison, here it goes:

    Pillars of eternity vs Divinity: OS:

    Graphics: DOS
    PoE: 9/10, DOS 10/10. They're similar and both are isometric looking, and although the art itself is inferior in Divinity, the world seems more interactive than Pillars, hence, this one goes to Divinity.

    Sound: Draw
    You'll feel very inmersed in combat/adventure with both of them which is fricking important for any decent gamer out there!

    Story: PoE
    PoE (8/10), DOS (5/10). This is where Divinity takes a MAYOR hit in the nuts. You get a linear experience through the game, with a couple of boring missions/side quests (with the "do them in perfect order or you will get punished" mechanic), with boring characters and dull storytelling. At least it's not dumb, but it's very "basic", basically :). PoE is totally interesting and storytelling is wonderful, but the only real interactions you'll have will be with your preset partners (more on that later), in the end it also suffers from some characterisation to make it more vivid.

    Rpg elements: PoE
    PoE (10/10), DOS (9/10)
    Very close to each other. The thing is that PoE gets creative in the way you get experience, while DOS gets stingy with exp to make you suffer more every battle, which in the ends slows down gameplay. In terms of character customization both are very deep, but once again PoE takes it further because of how many different characteristics and combinations are posible.

    Combat: DOS
    PoE (7/10) DOS (9/10)
    PoE is good, but magic is way to basic to even count. It all goes down to cutting, blunting and piercing. Magics cost way too much to be enjoyable. DOS not only makes magic users powerful (they actually are overpowered, that's why it get's a 9... balance, people!) but also makes environment critical. From a tactical point, it's refreshing to see your mage not only putting a zombie on fire, but litting 30 mts around it on flames from a poison cloud explosion! talk about special effects! but is not only eye candy, it can seriously turn the battle one side or the other. Definitely a worthy mechanic to keep for the future, game designers!

    Adventure: PoE
    PoE (9/10) , DOS (5/10)
    Interaction, exploring, sneaking, and triggered events are overall better done in PoE. You will feel excited while exploring a new area and also thrilled with excitement, while in DOS you will be desperate to finish it or get in a fight soon to avoid dying of the boring monotony.

    Interfase: PoE
    PoE (7/10), DOS (5/10). More polished basically, also everything is easier to understand. You can check the monsters you have slain in your enciclopedia to develop better strategies next time you face them... you even have your own notepad for personal notes. DOS is very lacky in this department.

    *Items: DOS
    POE (5/10), DOS (7/10), Both are waaay to simple, but POE is just lazy. Fine, exceptional and elite (or somethingl like that) and some elemental properties and another minuscule crap... and that's it?! wtf?!. At least in DOS you have some variety... but just some... not that much to be noteworthy (at least not in comparison to dragon age and full plated dragon armors and that sort of badass gear we ALL want in our team)

    In the end it goes like: awesome fights, and more eye candy effects, plus better loot... go DOS
    very good (not awesome) fights, darker deeper story, adventure thrill, hardcore rpg gaming, ... go POE.

    To me POE wins actually, but it's your call. Hope it helps... phew, that was a lot!    … Expand
  86. Deadheadbill
    Apr 7, 2015
    10
    Storytelling, game play and yes even graphics shine in this game. The writing and gameplay have been covered pretty well, but I want to talk about the graphics. This is not an ugly game as many would tell you. The backdrops are exquisite and hand painted. The effects from your spells are awesome. No, it's not gonna blow up your 500$ video card but it is far from ugly.
  87. Hack
    Jan 15, 2018
    7
    An enjoyable story in a wondrous land that's spoiled by engine choice and technical problems. Pillars uses the Unity engine which is known for having performance issues and it's no different here, during combat the frame rate swings wildly on hardware that far exceeds the recommended specifications, beyond that the game also suffers with a tremendous amount of load screens which are alsoAn enjoyable story in a wondrous land that's spoiled by engine choice and technical problems. Pillars uses the Unity engine which is known for having performance issues and it's no different here, during combat the frame rate swings wildly on hardware that far exceeds the recommended specifications, beyond that the game also suffers with a tremendous amount of load screens which are also quite long even on a SSD. There's even a delay before you can loot after a fight, everything in Pillars just feels a bit clunky and it all comes down to picking Unity for this project.

    The highlight of the game is the story and voice acting which is absolutely top notch, it's just a shame only about 50% of the dialog is actually voiced which results in a ton of reading which did get a little overwhelming at times. Where the game collapses is the gameplay, the combat is unsatisfying and quite awkward, with really awful pathing issues that prevent your party from attacking.

    Overall the game was good but let down by technical problems and a fairly janky combat system, if you're a fan of RPGs of this type I'm sure you'll enjoy Pillars, I did but I was left a little disappointed.    … Expand
  88. DukeBalek
    Jan 7, 2018
    8
    A very good game if you like this type of rpg. for me it is better than the divinity original sins series, the world where you evolve is better done and the music ( really awesome) is perfect. Nonetheless it's true, the fights are better in DOS (it's the main value of the game imo), and they are too confusing and often unreadable in PoE (speed issue), but the game have a spirit and a moodA very good game if you like this type of rpg. for me it is better than the divinity original sins series, the world where you evolve is better done and the music ( really awesome) is perfect. Nonetheless it's true, the fights are better in DOS (it's the main value of the game imo), and they are too confusing and often unreadable in PoE (speed issue), but the game have a spirit and a mood far more immersive, and i prefer that. If you are a rpg fan, you loved the baldur's gate series, you have to do it (with the two add-ons if possible)… Expand
  89. toirko13
    Sep 5, 2015
    9
    First of all i want to give thanks to the developers for creating this master piece of a game! and i hope they will add more to this master piece in time such as characters and other wonderful DLC.

    this game is a must buy! so get it!
  90. Goldenface
    Aug 11, 2015
    10
    Pillars of Eternity is nothing less than a product of those in love with a genre, to be played by like-minded people. No longer will you be aimlessly grinding enemies who barely fit into the context of environment, but instead having unique and memorable encounters that cannot be overcome by simple brute force. No longer will you have to experience patronizingly obvious dialogue trees, butPillars of Eternity is nothing less than a product of those in love with a genre, to be played by like-minded people. No longer will you be aimlessly grinding enemies who barely fit into the context of environment, but instead having unique and memorable encounters that cannot be overcome by simple brute force. No longer will you have to experience patronizingly obvious dialogue trees, but instead ambiguous (yet malleable to be more obvious) and interesting choices that give the player the freedom to role play beyond the stale-cracker "good", "evil", and "uninspired" archetypes. No longer will you be flying through the levels in hopes of level cap with a slew of minuscule passive points to make you feel like you're doing is important along the way; NO! AWAY WITH THAT RUBBISH! Now you hold each level up like a precious, fragile metal that can be wasted as easily as it can be utilized. Wrap these table-top oriented design choices into an intriguing story that gracefully unfolds without dragging you through it against your will and you have one the of the finest crafted titles in the genre that I will recommend for years to come.… Expand
  91. ThatUDLegacy
    Apr 27, 2017
    10
    Let's start with, should you buy this game? Yes, it is well worth the price.

    Pros: Dragons Interesting characters, Interesting Stories, Extensive spells(so many that i didn't use all of them), Fort Building, Fun Combat, Friendly Banter, Lot's of Bounties, Lot's of choices, Imprisoning people, Companion Stories & quest lines, An in Depth biography/journal that writes of your    Let's start with, should you buy this game? Yes, it is well worth the price.

    Pros:
    Dragons
    Interesting characters,
    Interesting Stories,
    Extensive spells(so many that i didn't use all of them),
    Fort Building,
    Fun Combat,
    Friendly Banter,
    Lot's of Bounties,
    Lot's of choices,
    Imprisoning people,
    Companion Stories & quest lines,
    An in Depth biography/journal that writes of your deeds,
    Dragons.

    A Few Cons:
    After the Boss fight the game just ends (apparently it autosaves just before you jump)
    Can't change decisions once they are made, for example, you can destroy and object or stop it, yet if you stop it, you cant come back and destroy it later, because.... reasons?
    Need's More Dragons,
    Banter it seems is only limited to 3 lines, maybe rarely 4,
    You can ask your jailor to whip your prisoners but not treat them well? :L & prisoners barely say anything! a person who asked to be put in jail asked to be released, after 1 day!!!
    I feel that companions don't talk enough?
    Important vistors personalies, are often Non- exxistant in your Fort,
    I couldn't find anything to make my screen follow my character, having to constantly click ahead, maybe i missed it.

    It is said people complain more about things they love.    … Expand
  92. AkumaJack
    May 5, 2017
    9
    This game is amazing for like 95% of the time.
    The graphics are astonishing, the combat system is both challenging and fun when you get used to it and the world design is really good. Every place seems alive with lore on inns, whores and sidequests that are more that simple sidequest most of the time.
    Plus there is the option to focus just on combat with the bounties or the optional mega    This game is amazing for like 95% of the time.
    The graphics are astonishing, the combat system is both challenging and fun when you get used to it and the world design is really good. Every place seems alive with lore on inns, whores and sidequests that are more that simple sidequest most of the time.
    Plus there is the option to focus just on combat with the bounties or the optional mega dungeon if you are tired of reading. Because you will read A LOT playing this game.

    The bad part is the ending boss which is for a level capped party quite too easy imo and some quests that are uninspired. (But thats not a problem because there are a **** of quests and most of them are really good.)

    But this is just a little fraction. Most of the game is enjoyable.    … Expand
  93. TanSula
    May 14, 2018
    9
    Для меня в РПГ главное сюжет и интересные квесты, а тут в этим всё в порядке. А вот к боёвке и другим техническим аспектам есть вопросы.
  94. RagingPoet
    Nov 2, 2017
    8
    Pillars of Eternity is amazing but a bit too long in my opinion.
    Difficulty drops significantly in the second half of the game, so you might wanna switch to a higher difficulty level when it happens if you are playing on normal/hard.
  95. JavierTaco
    Jan 17, 2018
    9
    This game is excellent. It is my first tabletop RPG, and it got me interested in this style of game. It does practically everything right. I love the music, I love the combat, I love the characters, I love the choices you can make, and I love the presentation. Also, it has that classic Obsidian Entertainment feel to it, so expect tons of dark humor.
  96. ChosenUndead99
    Apr 29, 2018
    9
    An extremely fun RPG that you will easily be able to tell is very similar to games such as Baldur's Gate. There are lots of quests to be found and exploring is always rewarding!
  97. evesea
    May 17, 2018
    8
    TL;DR A solid game - needs work. (PoE2 is that improvement)

    I absolutely love the setting & the story (after reading lore for a couple hours). The problem is accessibility, the writing is FAR more pretentious than it needs be, which causes more eyerolls than engagement - and the combat isn't exactly intuitive. Chances are half the game will be trying to like it, and the other half    TL;DR A solid game - needs work. (PoE2 is that improvement)

    I absolutely love the setting & the story (after reading lore for a couple hours). The problem is accessibility, the writing is FAR more pretentious than it needs be, which causes more eyerolls than engagement - and the combat isn't exactly intuitive.

    Chances are half the game will be trying to like it, and the other half will be actually liking it. My second run through I absolutely adored the game. So I'd cautiously recommend it to any RPG fan, and any isometric fan is bound to find it worth their time.    … Expand
  98. Elisyeas
    Mar 27, 2015
    9
    Will try to make it short, since I'm having one hell of a time from hour 1 purchase. One would think that in times of "amazing graphics with ultra GOGO effects", "one-button-does-all strategies" and "10 second learning curve" there is no place for a game like this. Yet, one would be wrong. The whole idea behind PoE was the sheer belief that there is a certain group of gamers, raised amongWill try to make it short, since I'm having one hell of a time from hour 1 purchase. One would think that in times of "amazing graphics with ultra GOGO effects", "one-button-does-all strategies" and "10 second learning curve" there is no place for a game like this. Yet, one would be wrong. The whole idea behind PoE was the sheer belief that there is a certain group of gamers, raised among post-apocalyptic ruins of Necropolis, burned more than once by the flaming breath of Firekraag and all that while searching for an answer to a question "what can change the nature of a man". Such group exists indeed and although hardly a young bunch, they remain incredibly sentimental when it comes to games that require that "little more" of you.

    PoE is not for everyone, I agree. You will learn the game, you will learn what defines your character, you you will learn combat. You will also get your butt handed to you on a plate more than once. You will learn how your attributes affect certain situations in a way you simply do not expect. You will learn that your companions can die and remain dead, should you perform poorly ;-) So if you expect modern learning curve of 5 minutes, brace yourself. Yet in the end, you'll simply enter that magical time machine which made old-school classics so worty of your time.

    I salute every person who contributed to the project and made it possible, both players and producers. I feel like home again ;-)    … Expand
  99. leeho730
    Mar 27, 2015
    10
    It is very surprising and interesting that Infinity Engine game mechanics in 1999 (Baldur's Gate series) can still make a game made 16 years later very enjoyable. Suffice to say if you've enjoyed playing Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale you'll be right at home. I'm glad I've contributed, wish I could have contributed more.
  100. DarkInside
    Mar 29, 2015
    10
    The best RPG since Planescape Torment and Baldurs Gate 2. Great experience and an awesome story.
    this game is better than Divinity Original SIN and Wasteland 2. Great, I need more.
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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.
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  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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