Pentiment

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 56 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 56
  3. Negative: 0 out of 56
  1. Hobby Consolas
    Nov 14, 2022
    73
    Pentiment is a graphic adventure like no other. We love the medieval setting and writing, but it is slow paced and not every player will enjoy its simple mechanics based on dialogues.
  2. ZTGD
    Nov 18, 2022
    70
    Pentiment is not a bad game, it’s just not one that I have no real interest in; It’s more along the lines of an interactive, mystery novel than a video game. While I loved the storybook art style, the overly stylized font was just too much to look at for long play sessions. And Pentiment tends to drag on a bit too long for my taste, but for those that have a love of history, murder, religion, betrayal, secrets, walking from left to right/right to left and reading your video games; then I think you should try Pentiment, especially at the price of $19.99 or included with your Game Pass subscription.
  3. GameSpew
    Nov 14, 2022
    70
    While Pentiment doesn't make the best first impression, and the lack of music robs it of atmosphere and character, it's well worth digging into if you're a fan of well-written narrative adventures or games that require you to conduct investigations. You'll soon come to love - or loathe - its cast of characters, and with plenty of fun puzzles to solve, minigames to engage in and meaningful choices to make, it's rewarding in ways that other games in the same genre space rarely ever manage.
  5. Slant Magazine
    Nov 14, 2022
    60
    As a mystery to be solved and a mediation on how stories evolve over time, the game's focus wanders and ironically comes to fixate on elements like presentation and background lore that can all too easily overwhelm the basic tenets of telling an engaging story.
  6. GameSpot
    Nov 14, 2022
    60
    Pentiment strives to exist somewhere between a history book and historical fiction, not quite committing to a detailed look at history or fulfilling a narrative arc. This is a detriment to the game's conclusion, dampening my memories of the game save for the stories of individual characters. I retain a soft spot for the wise Illuminata and her conversations with Andreas about literature and religion, and I have a parental fondness for a young peasant girl who I watched grow from a gurgling toddler to a young woman. Witnessing their lives play out is a narrative delight, only enhanced by the creative use of Pentiment's different fonts to better convey a person's societal station or education. But limiting how much time the player actually has to engage in the game's best parts hurts the overall experience too much.
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  1. Eurogamer
    Nov 14, 2022
    A brilliant narrative adventure that is filled with intelligence and heart. [Eurogamer Recommended]
  2. Giant Bomb
    Nov 15, 2022
    Pentiment sheds the dice rolls and combat to emphasize the branching conversations and compelling narrative that Obsidian is best at. And the result is an engaging page-turner that can only really work as a video game. [Quick Look]
  3. Kotaku
    Nov 14, 2022
    If you’re looking for a clever murder mystery with interactive narrative decisions, beautiful 2D art, and a wonderful historical fiction treatment, you owe it to yourself to check out Pentiment. [Review impressions]
  5. Xboxygen
    Nov 14, 2022
    We commend the work of Josh Sawyer and his team for this masterful writing and atmosphere. Being one of the very few out of this year's Xbox Game Studios' sweatshop, Pentiment truly is a hit! The adventure is credible, wonderfully blends historical, religious and socio-cultural contexts while proposing an advanced writing and an absolutely sublime and singular graphic layout in the video game industry. According to its creator, Pentiment will clearly not please everyone, but the result here exudes passion, giving life to a niche work of art with an excellent replayability. It is undoubtedly very personal for Josh but this seals the deal for Obsidian: that is what a real gemstone looks like.

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2022
5
#5 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2022

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 410 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 294 out of 410
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 410
  3. Negative: 89 out of 410
  1. porkprism
    Nov 16, 2022
    10
    One of the most unique games I have ever played. So thorough and deliberate and nuanced. Very big fan.
  2. TiAproCane
    Nov 16, 2022
    8
    A beautiful very borderline game so not for everyone, it's literally like reading an interactive, animated book. The game manages to immerseA beautiful very borderline game so not for everyone, it's literally like reading an interactive, animated book. The game manages to immerse you in the story, in the setting. It also addresses many important issues, which we often do not think about, but which we should think about. I understand, however, that many did not like it, even if seeing a vote 0 is really embarrassing for these people, so a game that I personally evaluate 8/10, I would give 10 just to make up for the staggered average of these jerks, but it would be like lowering yourself to their level.… Full Review »
  3. uchidara
    Nov 16, 2022
    10
    Great game with a history focus. Great art style that can make some not enjoy it but i liked it
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