Pentiment

 Xbox Series X
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

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  1. BigKidPlays
    Sep 9, 2023
    6
    I was on board and enthralled for much of the first two acts, but the third act was a slog of an experience before a really smart ending. I really loved the discovery and mystery, but the repetition of the third act was too much for me to overcome. Would have been better with a much shorter late game and the early acts are great.
  2. SingleplayerBR
    Sep 5, 2023
    0
    Garbage, it is unacceptable spend all 2022 without any AAA game and then come up with this indie game made on PowerPoint, no OST, junkie gameplay, stupid dialogues, 100% garbage
  3. M1sfiT
    Sep 3, 2023
    8
    Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!
  4. fenixfany
    Aug 31, 2023
    8
    For me it was a big surprise. A beautiful role-playing game with a strong "artistic" character, where dialogues and choices reign supreme. Very intriguing plot.
  5. Phuz
    Aug 27, 2023
    0
    The art style is horrible. The sounds are awful, the dialogue even in easy read mode could have picked way better fonts, it is a reading game after all, so make it as readable as possible.

    This is a review after very little time because it was so irritating I had to turn it off. Just nothing likeable. I'm all up for plod along adventure games but this lost me from the word go. The    The art style is horrible. The sounds are awful, the dialogue even in easy read mode could have picked way better fonts, it is a reading game after all, so make it as readable as possible.

    This is a review after very little time because it was so irritating I had to turn it off. Just nothing likeable.

    I'm all up for plod along adventure games but this lost me from the word go.

    The start of a game is very important to make someone excited to play. This made me excited to free up hard drive space.    … Expand
  6. Ruskste
    Aug 17, 2023
    10
    This game deserves more love. The story is well done and the whole game looks like a painting
  7. boxcutta
    Aug 14, 2023
    9
    I didn’t expect much from this game, but end up liking it very much! The story is brilliant, art is beautiful and replayability factor is there, which is rare for this kind of games.
  8. REYx
    Jul 27, 2023
    10
    As an avid gamer and enthusiast of unique gaming experiences, I was utterly blown away by Pentiment. This remarkable game transcends the boundaries of conventional gaming, emerging as a true work of art that captivates both the mind and the heart.

    From the very moment I delved into the world of Pentiment, I was entranced by its breathtaking visuals and awe-inspiring design. The    As an avid gamer and enthusiast of unique gaming experiences, I was utterly blown away by Pentiment. This remarkable game transcends the boundaries of conventional gaming, emerging as a true work of art that captivates both the mind and the heart.

    From the very moment I delved into the world of Pentiment, I was entranced by its breathtaking visuals and awe-inspiring design. The hand-painted landscapes and meticulously crafted environments not only showcase the developers' exceptional talent but also evoke a profound sense of immersion that few other games can replicate. Each stroke of the virtual brush adds depth and meaning to the narrative, leaving players in a state of pure wonderment.

    Speaking of the narrative, Pentiment delivers an emotional journey like no other. It skillfully weaves together a compelling story that touches upon profound themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. The characters are beautifully fleshed out, each with their own unique struggles and triumphs. It's a testament to the game's writing that I found myself emotionally invested in their fates, often shedding a tear or two during the game's poignant moments.

    The gameplay mechanics are perfectly tailored to complement the overall experience. The puzzles are challenging but not frustrating, striking an ideal balance between engagement and contemplation. I appreciated how the gameplay seamlessly intertwined with the narrative, reinforcing the themes and evoking a sense of personal growth as I progressed through the game.

    Pentiment's soundtrack is a masterpiece in its own right. The hauntingly beautiful melodies, perfectly synchronized with the on-screen events, amplified the emotional impact of every scene. It is rare to find a game where the music becomes an inseparable part of the experience, but Pentiment achieves this with grace and finesse.

    Furthermore, the attention to detail exhibited by the developers is commendable. The game is polished to perfection, free of any major technical hiccups that could disrupt the player's immersion. It's evident that the creators poured their hearts and souls into crafting a flawless gaming experience, and it truly pays off.

    In conclusion, Pentiment is a game that deserves to be celebrated and cherished as a magnum opus of the gaming industry. Its stunning visuals, captivating narrative, seamless gameplay, and evocative soundtrack make it an unforgettable journey that resonates with players on a profound level. If you're searching for a gaming experience that transcends entertainment and ventures into the realm of art, Pentiment is an absolute must-play. Kudos to the talented team behind this gem - you've created something truly extraordinary!    … Expand
  9. Awanka
    Jul 15, 2023
    7
    A narratively-brilliant, excellent, and original medieval adventure game with a unique art style and extremely deep choice and dialog reactivity. There's a good amount of the Persona games here with Pentiment's time management system, where you only have certain amount of time segments in a day, and have to pick and choose what to do with each one. You also build up relationships byA narratively-brilliant, excellent, and original medieval adventure game with a unique art style and extremely deep choice and dialog reactivity. There's a good amount of the Persona games here with Pentiment's time management system, where you only have certain amount of time segments in a day, and have to pick and choose what to do with each one. You also build up relationships by talking to people and saying the right things, which ultimately helps you achieve your goals. Pentiment also reminded of Frogwares' Sherlock games because you spend most of your time investigating and following up on clues, usually to solve a murder.

    The reason I can't rate it higher is that there isn't that much gameplay to speak of. It's almost all clicking on things and choosing dialog options. One of the selling points of the game, the feeling of authenticity, is also a negative, as most NPCs are fairly mundane, and talking to them isn't that interesting. It's a masterfully-crafted adventure game, but I found a lot of it dull, talking to villagers about raising kids or a monk about life in a monastery. I seldom say this, but it could have used some more whackiness and excitement.    … Expand
  10. Fabiank2
    Jun 27, 2023
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Incredibly poor game. Such a disapointment! The story is ok but this is a very slow and ugly game… Expand
  11. Ryzaerrr8791
    Jun 27, 2023
    0
    Maybe one of the worst independant game I ever played in my life
    This game is very poor at any stages
  12. Umjogador
    Jun 17, 2023
    0
    Well, and this "game..." I think if you look at the red notes you'll see what most really think. A game full of polemics and affronts against the church? Will if I comment something disrespectful I'll be wrong or is it just you who can offend other people's faith and religion? Hard to call this game filmmaker, I've never seen something so silly and boring in my entire life. I really don'tWell, and this "game..." I think if you look at the red notes you'll see what most really think. A game full of polemics and affronts against the church? Will if I comment something disrespectful I'll be wrong or is it just you who can offend other people's faith and religion? Hard to call this game filmmaker, I've never seen something so silly and boring in my entire life. I really don't understand what Microsoft has been doing all these years, first they deliver Redfall totally broken, full of bugs, full of problems with 30fps, then they invent this totally useless "game", and lastly Starfiled which is coming again to 30fps... The biggest company of all can't deliver something the console can support. I'm tired of these bad games… Expand
  13. Sxo
    May 9, 2023
    10
    Fresh and brilliant story. Great game for chilling. Not everybody will love that graphic and systems but it’s worth to play for sure :)
  14. Anthony1319
    May 7, 2023
    10
    Buen juego en su género gran acierto en buscar algo diferente a qué sea un shooter o un juego de acción en tercera persona con camara al hombro
  15. huginodensen
    May 3, 2023
    7
    No me gusto, dialogos muy aburridos, tedioso y con el contexto de juego viejo
  16. MetacriticVoter
    May 2, 2023
    0
    Boring and nonsensical. It wants to be a Disco Elysium in the Dark Ages but ends up being the worst Professor Layton game you would ever play.
  17. MaroonMister
    Apr 23, 2023
    7
    I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Pentiment. I heard a lot about the game from Xbox-based podcasts and I decided to give it a chance. The podcasters seemed to really enjoy the game so I decided it was worth checking out; I didn't know anything about it.

    I think the game receives better reception if you think of it like an interactive book akin to those "choose your own    I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Pentiment. I heard a lot about the game from Xbox-based podcasts and I decided to give it a chance. The podcasters seemed to really enjoy the game so I decided it was worth checking out; I didn't know anything about it.

    I think the game receives better reception if you think of it like an interactive book akin to those "choose your own adventure" stories from the 90s. It's not really a game as much as it's an interactive story.

    Yet, this is how the game shines. The murder-mystery storyline is interesting. I found myself actually caring about its characters and the relationships I was building as I played. I think that if you focus on the story that, you, the player, is trying to tell, you'll end up really enjoying it. If you find yourself skipping through dialogue in other games, you'll not enjoy this game. It's 95% reading.

    There are several points in the game that are not interested, however. It's like when you get to a boring section of a book and you read faster just so you can get the interesting part. These segments are typically the dinner sessions, where your character sits down with a bunch of other characters in the game and discuss the plot's recent events. You're given options to say different things and eat different foods, but the choices you make do not impact the story. I found myself rushing through these segments at the game's midpoint.

    I'd also like to say that the game's artwork is as unique as it is phenomenal. There are many times where I would stop playing for a second to admire the artwork in the game. This is especially true for murals, book borders and cloister-area. The medieval artwork feels well-researched and perfectly replicated in the game. It's truly interesting to explore.

    To conclude, if you like reading books and video games; you'll enjoy Pentiment. It's essentially an interactive storybook and that's great for people who are not afraid to play something different. The game is one of kind.

    I would not recommend this game to people who only play hardcore, acton games as Pentiment is the exact opposite of that. If you get bored easily, you probably shouldn't pick this up.

    Regardless, its available on GamePass, so it's worth taking a look, or read, into.    … Expand
  18. manucorrales
    Mar 24, 2023
    9
    Gran narrativa con pocos puzzles. Las historias y la ambientación merecen llegar al final del juego.
  19. Lasz83
    Feb 6, 2023
    10
    Jogo muito imersivo. Os diálogos são inteligentes e agradáveis, com muitas referências históricas bem trabalhadas.
  20. Mooski
    Jan 30, 2023
    8
    The narrative is really the highlight of this game. It's all about experiencing a well-crafted, thoughtful, and moving slice-of-life tale in a provincial 16th-century town in the Holy Roman Empire. It's kind of a murder mystery but not really. Essentially, it's like a choose-your-own-adventure graphic novel: a "choices matter"-style game, although the choices presented to you are largelyThe narrative is really the highlight of this game. It's all about experiencing a well-crafted, thoughtful, and moving slice-of-life tale in a provincial 16th-century town in the Holy Roman Empire. It's kind of a murder mystery but not really. Essentially, it's like a choose-your-own-adventure graphic novel: a "choices matter"-style game, although the choices presented to you are largely immaterial to the overarching story.

    And that's fine by me; the story had me gripped for the game's entire runtime -- about 15 hours. During that time, your enjoyment will largely depend on how you jive with said story. For me, interacting with all of the characters, seeing them develop over the course of the story, and learning more about the world proved just as entertaining as the game's central mystery. Obsidian has a knack for writing characters with depth and creating worlds that are rich in detail.

    Pentiment has a simple but effective presentation. The game sports an era-appropriate art style, and there is a tonne of dialogue and, therefore, a tonne of reading. Gameplay amounts to picking options from branching dialogue trees and the occasional, trivial puzzle -- which serve more as storytelling devices than actual gameplay. All this is accompanied by a simple but effective score. There's a sting that plays whenever you find mysterious notes -- chef's kiss.

    If all that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, then give it a miss. I wouldn't blame you -- for many, it can barely be considered a game.

    If, however, this has piqued your interest, then it's on Game Pass and costs very little to have a go.    … Expand
  21. Gemesi92
    Jan 29, 2023
    0
    A narrative game with multiple dialogue choices, but there are only one ending and 0 variety in the narration.
  22. GhostKill
    Nov 27, 2022
    5
    If I wanted to read a book- I wouldn't be playing a video game. People actually think this is a GOTY contender? I just don't get it. Opinions will vary but I'm glad I didn't actually have to pay for this game. Thanks Gamepass! Another Gamepass fodder game confirmed.
  23. ebram
    Jan 28, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. god game i m iran 10 god very godhsjshejejjejejejehgdhdhdhdjhdhdjjdjdjudjdhdhejejejjwjeh… Expand
  24. ShinZ21
    Jan 28, 2023
    8
    Es un juego basado en los diálogos y la trama qué se irá moldeando con tus decisiones y acciones. Una aventura grafica que es casi un RPG conversacional.
  25. ulises1
    Jan 28, 2023
    8
    El Nombre de la Rosa, **** juego, con permiso del juego la Abadia del Crimen. Gran juego, diferente tiene un poco de todo, misterio, historia, personajes, religión,... Juego pausado y muy disfrutable. Menos shooters y más pentiments.
  26. Hayzen
    Jan 27, 2023
    10
    This game is a Masterpiece! So glad Game Pass exists! Would have never played this game if it wasn't on Game Pass.
  27. Forgerb
    Jan 27, 2023
    10
    Una ingeniosa y novedosa forma de narrar una historia de crimen en la vida del nuestro personaje protagonista, precioso e inteligente, sencillo y complejo a la vez, con una narrativa que cambia a cada pregunta y repuesta que proporcionemos, una obra de arte de videojuego , el pionero en esta clase
  28. OCDgamet
    Jan 27, 2023
    10
    Love a game like this outside of the norm. Don't get why people love to review bomb a game they clearly haven't played. It's pretty pathetic tbh
  29. funyunknight
    Jan 27, 2023
    10
    One of the best games of 2022. I love story focused games though. Between this and As Dusk Falls I feel like Xbox has done a great job with these story games.

    At first I wasn’t feeling the art style but quickly thought it was pretty beautiful as I progressed. The story and history behind the game were super interesting too. May not be for everyone but I loved it.
  30. OMonarquista96
    Jan 27, 2023
    10
    História extremamente divertida e emocionante. Grande acerto da Microsoft e Obsidian.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. PCMag
    Mar 24, 2023
    90
    Pentiment is a thrilling, Renaissance-style whodunit that forgoes conventional video game action by focusing on an engaging narrative, branching dialogue options, and character relationships.
    Read full review
  2. 4P.de
    Dec 1, 2022
    86
    Unique, exciting and clever, Pentiment is a beautiful yet educational adventure - a quiet but valuable gem in Xbox Game Pass.
    Read full review
  3. TheXboxHub
    Nov 28, 2022
    100
    Pentiment is a superb game that marks an important step forward for its genre. Quiet, contemplative and intelligent, it is a shining example of what happens when a team is allowed to expand their horizons and take risks.
    Read full review
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