Alright Boyz, Here we go! Pillars of Eternity: Impressions

[MizzouRah]

I'm two hours in with a human fighter, I want to be the one that goes in first to hit with force.

No spoilers.. but game is fantastic so far. Going to be up late tonight.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I've heard nothing but good things. Some are saying it's Obsidian's best game.

[Peregrine]

Definitely going to be breaking this out tonight.

[NobodyHere]

Damn that math midterm test I have tomorrow!

[BYU 14]

Hadn't planned on it, but reviews sold me, a modern Baldur's Gate, no brainer and 97 of 101 early user reviews on steam positive.


Downloading now

FML, the best OOTP ever, Eastside Hockey Manager back and now this!!

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Hadn't planned on it, but reviews sold me, a modern Baldur's Gate, no brainer and 97 of 101 early user reviews on steam positive.


Downloading now

FML, the best OOTP ever, Eastside Hockey Manager back and now this!!

I know right? .. and I have to go back to work tomorrow, ugh!

[Dutch]

Flying home for the weekend....might be a late night or two. Cant wait!

[MizzouRah]

For me, everything just "works", from the UI.. the combat, reading and making choices, etc.. nothing so far has bogged me down. Very impressed so far and I might stay up way too late tonight.

[SirFozzie]

Never seen games get this much of a glowing review.

Originally Posted by Rock Paper Shotgun

It’s a triumph. A wonderful, enormous and spellbinding RPG, gloriously created in the image of BioWare’s Infinity classics, but distinctly its own. A classic in every sense.
Pillars Of Eternity review | Rock, Paper, Shotgun

Originally Posted by PC Gamer

This is a big, fat, deep adventure that lets you carve your own unique path through a fantasy world that’s been brilliantly brought to life with rich, evocative writing. It’s a game steeped in a bygone era of computer RPG design, but somehow it doesn’t feel archaic. Obsidian have always been bound to other peoples’ worlds—Fallout, Dungeons & Dragons, Star Wars, South Park—but in creating their own from scratch, they’ve made not only their best game to date, but one of the best RPGs on PC.

92/100

Pillars of Eternity review - PC Gamer

Originally Posted by Escapist Magazine

Bottom Line: It's the best new, isometric RPG to come out in years.

Recommendation: While Pillars of Eternity is certainly banking on a nostalgic fan base, it's still an excellent RPG in its own right. It's a game rich with player agency, giving you tons of control to craft your story or explore different solutions to the presented problems. You know, actual roleplaying not simply a game with a leveling and stat system stapled on.

5/5

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/arti...ternity-Review

Originally Posted by GameWatcher

All you really need to know though, is this; Pillars of Eternity is a triumph. If you’re a backer and a fan of those classic Infinity Engine games, you’re in for a real treat, a smart and complex adventure that will keep you entertained and absorbed for possibly the rest of your life, and certainly until the already announced expansion pack comes out. Even those who never got on with those classic games should give it a go, because there’s a tonne of smart design choices in here that smooth out the rough edges that might have kept you away before. A superb introduction to a fascinating new fantasy world. Can’t wait to see where in the world of Eora we get to go next.

9.0/10

Pillars of Eternity PC Review - GameWatcher.com

Originally Posted by EuroGamer

Pillars of Eternity is the Baldur's Gate 3 we never got, returning to the Infinity Engine style of role-playing with flair.

Recommended

Pillars of Eternity review • Eurogamer.net

Originally Posted by PC World

What I'm saying in way-too-many words is this: Obsidian has a reputation for crafting fantastic RPGs, and deservedly so. Pillars of Eternity is, as far as I'm concerned, Obsidian at its best ever.

Pillars of Eternity review impressions: The Baldur's Gate spiritual successor you've been waiting for | PCWorld

Originally Posted by Videogamer

Pillars is remarkable. It achieves and surpasses its mission to be a 'refresh' of a style of game which died out long-ago, shortly after providing a blueprint for those which superseded it. Had the men and women at Obsidian succeeded only in making something which appealed to old-time fans of the genre, they could have called it a job well done. But they’ve gone one better

– Pillars of Eternity is modern, while evoking the past. It’s accessible, but satisfyingly complex. Its quality is undeniable, and it’s particularly heartening to see Obsidian, the underdog RPG studio with a string of thrown-bones and rough diamonds behind it, pour its sweat and passion into something they obviously love – and utterly nail it. Barring disaster, I’ve no doubt this will hold up until the end. I'll let you know in about 200 years.

Pillars of Eternity Review - VideoGamer.com

[Peregrine]

Hmm not enough positive reviews- I need convincing!

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Hmm not enough positive reviews- I need convincing!

Haha!

[Ragone]

damn, my going on vacation.. guess i'll wait till I get back and hope it drops in price

[frnk55]

I will be camping at my PC this weekend with lots of coffee.

[mckerney]

Managed to get through character creating in only 45 minutes. No off to adventure with my Hearth Orlan Druid who can turn into a wolf!

[Groundhog]

Oh god, I don't need a game like this right now.

[Eaglesfan27]

Downloading now even though I have very little time to play until Monday.

[mckerney]

Wooo! I have a pet wurm!

[MizzouRah]

Must get sleep later.

[NobodyHere]

Having a hard time deciding what class I want to play as.

[Lonnie]

I rolled up a Meadow Folk Chanter. Played through the first bit while I was supposed to be working earlier. Got sidetracked with a little EHM and now I'm sitting down to dive in the deep end.

[hoopsguy]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Oh god, I don't need a game like this right now.

My exact reaction.
Followed by scheming on how I can carve out time over the next couple of weeks to play it.

[Marmel]

Can somebody describe what the combat is like in this game. I see it is real time with pause, but would just like to hear some impressions on how it works.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by Marmel

Can somebody describe what the combat is like in this game. I see it is real time with pause, but would just like to hear some impressions on how it works.

By default, the game pauses when combat starts, then you give orders to your party members (there is no AI for them, you tell them to attack, use a spell, etc.) Then you unpause-pause as you see fit, target who you want. Just make sure to target first as you can get hit trying to flee from someone. It's a very straightforward system, with good tactical depth. You have two weapon slots and can switch during combat.

You also can have them in a combo of formations or create your own formation.

That's the basics and I don't want to spoil too much, so as you play the beginning is more or less a tutorial.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Early impressions here show the game is pretty amazing. I'm not very far into it, but combat is difficult (but fair) - if you just wade in there and start blasting/hacking, you're going to die. Often. But if you have a plan, you can overcome even some difficult odds. Writing is great, visuals are great...no complaints so far.

[Dutch]

I love, love, love that I can roll up into a tavern and recruit a party member (for a fee)...and then it returns me to the "New Character" creation screen and I get to build the party member. So awesome.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Early impressions here show the game is pretty amazing. I'm not very far into it, but combat is difficult (but fair) - if you just wade in there and start blasting/hacking, you're going to die. Often. But if you have a plan, you can overcome even some difficult odds. Writing is great, visuals are great...no complaints so far.

+1.

[Vince, Pt. II]

The only thing I've found annoying so far was pretty much my own idiocy. Went to a bit of trouble to "disarm" a trap only to have my party members blatantly walk right over a portion of it that wasn't disarmed. My own fault for not being careful about where I clicked, but still somewhat annoying.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Dutch

I love, love, love that I can roll up into a tavern and recruit a party member (for a fee)...and then it returns me to the "New Character" creation screen and I get to build the party member. So awesome.

That is a really nice touch!

[BYU 14]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

Early impressions here show the game is pretty amazing. I'm not very far into it, but combat is difficult (but fair) - if you just wade in there and start blasting/hacking, you're going to die. Often. But if you have a plan, you can overcome even some difficult odds. Writing is great, visuals are great...no complaints so far.

Love the combat and with all the different options you can slow it down and almost make it turn based, which allows you to be more tactical. The timer resets between being able to repeat actions are just brilliant.

[frnk55]

I feel like a kid at Christmas. Only an hour into it and I'm loving it!

[NobodyHere]

Bah, picked a fine day to get sick and bed ridden. I think God doesn't want me to play the game.

[MizzouRah]

I love it all so far, the way you travel, interact with people, the lore, the ease of inventory, etc..

[Buccaneer]

I guess I don't understand why with today's technologies would there be an action/adventure game with an isometric viewpoint. Couldn't they have done this with a first-person or over-the-shoulder third-person perspective?

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I guess I don't understand why with today's technologies would there be an action/adventure game with an isometric viewpoint. Couldn't they have done this with a first-person or over-the-shoulder third-person perspective?

They do, it's called Skyrim. This is totally different and some people will say this is totally better while others no doubt will say Skyrim is totally better and some will like both and understand the differences. 'Murica!

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I guess I don't understand why with today's technologies would there be an action/adventure game with an isometric viewpoint. Couldn't they have done this with a first-person or over-the-shoulder third-person perspective?

I would definitely NOT classify this as an action game. It's a strategy game.

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Couldn't they have done this with a first-person or over-the-shoulder third-person perspective?

For an RPG that's party based focusing on tactical strategy combat? No.

An isometric RPG is far preferable to something with the bland and boring combat of Skyrim or awkward and mishandled attempts at party control of Dragon Age: Inquisition.

[Peregrine]

I've barely played for 20 minutes but this game looks great already. I love how it will switch to what I've dubbed "storytelling mode" to mix it up with the walking around and killing stuff.

[Scoobz0202]

Yea, I've read that the storytelling mode is a way to not devote the time and budget to making 3d cutscenes and what not. Usually happens when something happens that is action oriented. Becomes like a choose your own adventure. If it really is a way to cut budget, its a great way.

Not sure if that is the reason, but yea, i do like it.

[Peregrine]

Only thing I'm hoping for is a patch to fix the cursor cage option which right now barely works. I get tired of having to keep clicking it off and on to re-activate it. But from the forums the devs are aware of it and are looking for a fix.

[Scoobz0202]

I've read about that. I also feel like the "box?" to select certain things is miniscule and trying to find the right spot to click to loot can be annoying. May just be me, though.

Spoiler

Just beat Maerwald after about 6 tries on normal. It's been so long since I've played a cRPG and I was never very good to begin with. But damn. I just couldn't get him. He was regenerating health like crazy and his AoEs were just wrecking me. Even trying to get to him early wasn't working too well. But finally

Anybody have a good resource on the combat rules? It has been so long since I have played a cRPG and I just feel like I don't have a good grasp on the combat system at all. I think I get the four defenses. That your accuracy determines how good of a hit you get versus his four defenses, add in DR. But I still feel like I am missing something. I'm level 3 and 4 with my group at the above spoilered spot. A lot of things I can just hack/slash but when I come to a complicated fight I don't really have a good grasp on what to "look for" in order to form a strat in tough fights. The combat rules, then add in the 6 man party of different classes that I have a very minimal grasp on all of them. So many spells that I feel like I should write them down on a piece of paper because I never remember which ones do what and right clicking to see any important info is kind of annoying.

Edit: And I'm having a hell of time trying to figure out aggro. My fighter and barbarian aren't holding shit.

[Buccaneer]

Ok. The reviews stated rpg or adventure, didn't think it was a strategy game. All of this time, I have always thought that the reason some companies made action/adventure/rpg games (as oppose to strategy like Civ) in isometric was due to performance and so I thought this game was just a nostalgia kick.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Ragone

damn, my going on vacation.. guess i'll wait till I get back and hope it drops in price

I hear you, week long vacation here too. Glad I supported their kickstarter from the comments so far.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Edit: And I'm having a hell of time trying to figure out aggro. My fighter and barbarian aren't holding shit.

I believe this has to do with the number of enemies you can 'engage' at one time. There's an ability (maybe it's a talent?) that Fighters get that essentially makes them very tanky - they get to engage an extra enemy and they get a defense buff, but they lose attack speed.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by Vince, Pt. II

I believe this has to do with the number of enemies you can 'engage' at one time. There's an ability (maybe it's a talent?) that Fighters get that essentially makes them very tanky - they get to engage an extra enemy and they get a defense buff, but they lose attack speed.

The fighter has an ability they get pretty early on that does what you say - reduces damage but lets them engage more guys - very helpful. There is also a talent (in the utility/other category) that lets you engage one extra enemy.

[Dutch]

An early tactic I am using is to have my tanks just hold everybody in place while my long-range archers and crossbowmen ...

Spoiler

and 15th century styled gunners!

... pick enemies apart from behind the wall of fighters. Though some things it works better to to that for a while to soften up the enemy and then go all-out melee. So much fun.

I am loving the world map. I want to experience the world and sometimes you need to discover new maps by going down the right path off of current maps. Good stuff.

Something that I think they fixed for the better from BG...in BG you could click ALT or CTRL to see all hidden items. In POE, you have to use your searching skillz to find them. No brainer, but glad they implemented it.

[MizzouRah]

Actually TAB shows hidden items.

[SirFozzie]

Originally Posted by MizzouRah

Actually TAB shows hidden items.

not all items, you have to be in the search mode to find some of them, like the unique gun for kickstarters on the first map.

[Peregrine]

Apparently mechanics skill is what triggers discovering items while in scouting mode. This is not apparent from the skill description.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Outside of being slower, is there any drawback to being in scouting mode constantly?

[chinaski]

6 hours in and i still want to middle mouse button - rotate the view so freaking bad!