Pillars of Eternity

Pillars of Eternity is widely regarded as a modern classic in the CRPG genre, offering a rich, immersive fantasy world with deep lore and complex storytelling. Players appreciate its homage to classics like Baldur's Gate, featuring real-time combat with pause, extensive character customization, and a narrative that explores themes of souls and reincarnation. The game boasts a large, open world filled with quests, companions with unique stories, and a strategic combat system that appeals to fans of old-school RPGs.

However, the experience is not without its challenges. Many players note the game's heavy reliance on text and lore dumps, which can feel overwhelming and slow down pacing, especially early on. Some find the combat mechanics and UI cumbersome, and bugs—such as save file corruption and repetitive quest assignments—persist despite ongoing patches. While the story and world-building are praised, the pacing and character development can feel uneven, and the game’s graphics, though improved over its inspirations, feel dated compared to newer titles.

Highlights

Players praise the game's deep and engaging storyline with meaningful player choices and rich world-building. The companion characters and their quests add emotional depth and replayability. The combat system is strategic and rewarding for fans of real-time with pause mechanics. The graphics, while not cutting-edge, are considered beautiful and nostalgic, enhancing the classic isometric RPG feel. The game's soundtrack and voice acting, including contributions from well-known actors, further enrich the immersive atmosphere.

Many appreciate the game's faithfulness to classic RPG elements while offering enough modern refinements to keep the experience fresh and compelling.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the overwhelming amount of text and lore dumps that can bog down pacing and deter players who prefer faster gameplay. The combat, while strategic, is sometimes seen as clunky and tedious, with micromanagement overshadowing fun. Bugs remain an issue, including save file corruption and quest-related glitches that can disrupt progress. The leveling system can feel anticlimactic due to hitting the level cap too early, reducing the sense of progression. Companion interactions taper off after their quests, leading to a feeling of underutilized characters. Additionally, the game's UI and tutorials are seen as less intuitive, and some players find the graphics and animations dated or lacking polish compared to newer RPGs.