Meanwhile, alongside RPG staples such as paladins and wizards, gamers can choose a cipher character, a mage-like class with the ability to manipulate souls. The Godlike race are mortal beings born with the physical features of gods, with these attributes seen as both a blessing and a curse. There are some generic fantasy elements, with the inclusion of dwarves, dragons, elves and trolls, but Pillars of Eternity also has some interesting unique lore. One of the biggest strengths of Pillars of Eternity is the way that Obsidian has developed a new universe for players. Alongside a wealth of side quests, players can micromanage their own keep, renovating its chambers and using it to improve reputation and fame. The sheer scope of Pillars of Eternity is certainly impressive the first real town, Defiance Bay, has five districts and a wide array of content to discover. The main questline itself gives a meaty challenge, but the game's scope goes far beyond a single narrative. That level of involvement is integral to how much impact Pillars of Eternity can have on the player. It all adds up to an immersive experience, with players able to involve themselves with some degree of autonomy in this entirely new world.
Players will want to discover those dungeons too, as the idea of exploration is key to just how fun Pillars of Eternity is. Users are able to adventure in both the individual gameplay areas, where the player's party can travel off the beaten path to find loot, monsters and caves, and in the overworld map, where non-essential areas can be visited whilst hunting for side quests. Whilst a normal difficulty Baldur's Gate playthrough could end just outside Candlekeep with a bit of bad luck, there is no such threat in the Paradox Interactive-published title. Those players after difficult challenges need not look far, though dangerous dungeons can be found with only a little exploration. Pillars of Eternity is not quite as unforgiving as its predecessors, however, with introductory levels that ease players into specific gameplay mechanics, all the while integrating players into the basics of the story. Those returning to the isometric CRPG style will find it much more comfortable, particularly given that the game's normal difficulty is aimed at those already adept with the genre. Pillars of Eternity can be tough to those who are unfamiliar with the gameplay style of the original Infinity Engine RPGs, with a lot to pick up within a short space of time. Players will have to mind their surroundings for traps and bottlenecks, and the random element to combat causes plenty of tension. With Obsidian formed out of the closure of the acclaimed studio, the promise of a return to the well-loved genre gained Pillars of Eternity over 77,000 backers and $4 million in funding, saving Obsidian in the process.Īnother element that ties Pillars of Eternity to its RPG forefathers is the difficulty. In September 2012, Obsidian Entertainment announced plans to create Pillars of Eternity, a CRPG (computer RPG) emulating the spirit of the old Black Isle and Infinity Engine titles. This has led to the likes of Star Citizen becoming huge crowdfunded success stories, even though the space sim genre was seen as niche and all but dead by larger companies.Įstablished developers have also seen the potential for Kickstarter and crowdfunding, using the new payment tool to create games outside of the traditional development cycle. If there is a large enough demand for a project to become successful, customers have a direct and immediate role in the creation of content. One of the most important aspects of Kickstarter is the ability for consumers to curate the products they want.