Crowdfunded back in 2012, three years later developer Obsidian delivered one of the year’s best role-playing games in Pillars of Eternity. Catering to a nostalgic fan base, it’s hard not to appreciate the old-school charm of this isometric RPG, which offers an engaging story, immersive world, and deep, tactical combat.
It starts with an in-depth character creation system that can literally take up to hours depending on how deep you want to go. For the hardcore RPG fan, which I imagine are the ones truly interested in Pillars of Eternity, this is a dream come true. Admittedly, the depth and presentation in which the story is told (mostly through text) might not appeal to everyone. Simply put, Pillars of Eternity isn’t for the casual gamer; it’s a hardcore RPG with rich story and strategic combat.
Speaking of combat, it’s excellent. It’s played out like a real-time strategy game, but you have the ability to pause at any time and plan your next move. This is incredibly important as the party you build and the enemies you face will change the rhythm and style of the battle. To truly excel in combat, you’ll need to make good use of all the spells and class abilities at your disposal, and planning is key.
Combat and story aside, what truly makes Pillars of Eternity a great RPG is that it makes you really feel like you’re on an adventure. Despite the old school 2D visuals and isometric perspective, Pillars of Eternity’s story is so engaging, it’s world so immersive, it’s combat so rich, that it’s hard not to become investested in this epic fantasy adventure.
If you’re a fan of role-playing games, it’s hard not to consider Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity as one of the best games of 2015.
