Left a review on Steam. Feel free to have a look.

[Hulk'O'Saurus]

THIS MUST BE THE MOST DIFFICULT TITLE TO GET INTO THAT I RECOMMEND TO PEOPLE.

Pillars of Eternity offers its own system of character construction that is paradoxically easy and intuitive to get into but obscures the best stuff behind what is a hair width away from 'lack of information.

It's all for the sake of brevity.

But the thing is--you CANNOT NOT devote time to this game.

PILLARS IS THE MOST BORING RPG I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE. HOW CAN ANYONE GET INTO IT?!

I can understand that sentiment. I've talked with a lot of people and have heard a lot of opinions about games. Never have I heard of more folks not being able to get into or downright disliking a game that I adore more and more with each new play through. 

Generally, Pillars is one of the tastiest onions I've eaten, and still continue to eat to this day. Each time I unravel another layer, my eyebrows migrate a bit more towards the ever backwards-moving upper edge of my forehead.(must be getting smarter) 

So far I spoke of brevity and lack of information. I will also toss in a small dose of innovation, as well. These three things are important foundational qualities of Pillars of Eternity. The game comes across as easy to get into and there is more than enough encyclopaedic writing to familiarize even the complete newbie to this genre of video games with the basics. All goes well, until you start to wonder how to tweak your classes a bit more to prepare yourself for the highest difficulties. It is then that you discover that some talents have got almost a second life of their own, and influence things in the game that their short texts do not obviously suggest they do. The same goes true for skills. Much has been said about the Might attribute in Pillars. I, for one, like the idea and like how characters are build. It is said clearly that Might represents physical, as well as spiritual strength. Some people do not take kindly to the way that attribute works, and I hear that Obsidian, to their credit, have taken the criticism seriously. I think the system is interesting and fresh. It also breaks the monotony that most RPGs like to settle for and deviates from the d&d rules, but that was done to better accommodate for a video game for the PC. 

Quite frankly, the most popular companion, by statistical measure gathered across years, is also the one that has got the shortest quest line and the shortest dialogue options. That's brevity at work, again. He can also be called simple--not in the bad sense of the word. But he is indeed quite clear about his intentions and reasons to travel with the main character.

In contrast, the most disliked companion, again by the same measure, is the one that has got the longest quest line and the scenes between him and PC are the most expositional. Personally, I really, really like that particular character, contrary to the popular opinion. He is tied deeply with the lore of the game. If you want to understand more about the world of Pillars, you cannot forego what he has to say. Most, apparently, do. But the thing about the lore in this game is that you cannot just stroll around and understand how things are. Chances are you will get confused about things. You will need to do a lot of reading of optional books/entries in cyclopaedia and conversations to get a better picture. It is totally worth it, though. You will also need to think on what most of the characters are saying, because the way they say it is not in an easy to assimilate, impersonal and expositional way--it's rather the personal point of view of the particular character about something. I know for a fact that this has lead to misunderstandings about the world of Pillars as people tend to take something at face value. But you shouldn't. Remember the onion. 

You could just be a grinder that does factions and side quests just to get particular stuff for a particular build. But the optional content still holds a surprising amount of grey morality that is compressed in a few sentences, and sometimes--few words. But if you pay close attention, you will discover that quite often the situations you are presented with are not so easy to conclude if you put yourself in the picture as yourself. Again, all of these are details presented with almost the bare minimum. But it does hold a good value for those willing to look at the small things. Quite literally--the longer you look, the better it gets. 

The gist of everything I've said so far applies to story and gameplay with equal measure. If you look at it once, you will probably say to yourself that there is nothing interesting going on here. Things look too common; combat looks too simple; story's too short; too few character levels. And Pillars, as I've established, makes for a challenging game to get into. But the small things I talked about come together in a very well done game at the end. It is safe to say that Pillars is obscuring that fact, hell, even wrestling with you at times to do so. Plus, you actually need to put in a decent amount of hours to get to a stage where you can better evaluate what you've gone through. And with the risk of repeating myself--it's worth it.

[Mangamina]

One thing I really don't understand is:  if you dislike this game so much why take the time to write a review like this, and then put it in the community board for the game???? It's very troll-like. (And here I am responding to it, ugh)  If I hate a game, I just move on, there's plenty of genres of games to choose from, many different styles.  I don't go into a game's board and trash it if I don't like it.  I am not a fan-boy nor a hater, however I am an opponent of time-wasters like this review.  I don't have the time to sit and counter every point you made (and I pretty much disagree with everything you said), I'd rather spend my time doing something I love, like playing this game.

[Boeroer]

One thing I really don't understand is:  if you dislike this game so much why take the time to write a review like this, and then put it in the community board for the game???? It's very troll-like. (And here I am responding to it, ugh)  If I hate a game, I just move on, there's plenty of genres of games to choose from, many different styles.

Eh dude? Did you actually read it completely? I'm pretty sure you did not (properly).

 

Like... a 100% sure...

Edited February 22, 2018 by Boeroer

[ArnoldRimmer]

Well I have played nearly 700 hours and real like the game but the first few tries I played I thought it seemed pretty empty and dull compared to BG2... it took me several play throughs to even realise that aloth had something to do with the leaden key. I also remember on my first game after getting through stonewall gorge just what the main quest was or why I was even trying to get to the otherside of the gorge

 

My biggest problem with the game is that lots of the companion quests are pointless and just seem to end. Like the ranger.... go here.... go there... now go over there... find a dead body - never mind that was him - end of quest. What was the point in doing all of that?

 

Eders was one that just seemed to me to end without any conclusion as well.

[Hulk'O'Saurus]

Well I have played nearly 700 hours and real like the game but the first few tries I played I thought it seemed pretty empty and dull compared to BG2... it took me several play throughs to even realise that aloth had something to do with the leaden key. I also remember on my first game after getting through stonewall gorge just what the main quest was or why I was even trying to get to the otherside of the gorge

 

My biggest problem with the game is that lots of the companion quests are pointless and just seem to end. Like the ranger.... go here.... go there... now go over there... find a dead body - never mind that was him - end of quest. What was the point in doing all of that?

 

Eders was one that just seemed to me to end without any conclusion as well.

 

Its a legit issue.

 

I think they were meant to a bit more expositional, or perhaps they didn't have enough resources to craft more complicated companion quests. Who knows. Still, not bad stuff. 

 

On my first playthrough, btw, I was bumrushing the game, because after what Thaos did in the city I was like 'Gotta stop this dude!' I wasn't doing any optional content after that at all. 

[Terminator]

Well I have played nearly 700 hours and real like the game but the first few tries I played I thought it seemed pretty empty and dull compared to BG2... it took me several play throughs to even realise that aloth had something to do with the leaden key. I also remember on my first game after getting through stonewall gorge just what the main quest was or why I was even trying to get to the otherside of the gorge

 

My biggest problem with the game is that lots of the companion quests are pointless and just seem to end. Like the ranger.... go here.... go there... now go over there... find a dead body - never mind that was him - end of quest. What was the point in doing all of that?

 

Eders was one that just seemed to me to end without any conclusion as well.

Well I give Pillars of Eternity 9.5/10. The only problems I have with 8GB RAM is that sometimes if I have played for many hours and have also web pages open RAM is not enough but a reboot fixes that. Please note I use third party sweetfx have installed it that gives more colors and shader effects which increases system requirements and I play at FULL HD with everything maxed. Hardware? Intel I5 4 cores maximum TURBO boost 3,2 Ghz, Nvidia 1050 TI 4GB DDR5, 8 GB RAM, Windows 10 64 BIT. No I don't get 60+ frames everywhere for example city of Defiance of Bay but I don't care this is not a FPS game.

 

Another thing Dungeons Dragons 4th edition is in my subjective opinion the most annoying Dungeons Dragons version released. Granted I never played the first version and tried 2nd as a kid none adult, but Dungeons Dragons 5th edition went to back to its root also due to lot of criticism of 4th edition. POE1 rules reminds me as an adaptation of 4th edition rules.

 

Baldurs Gate 1 and 2 are based on Dungeons Dragons 2nd edition a rules system more to my liking. Dungeon's Dragons 3.5 was great and 5th edition is better then 4th edition in my opinion the most bad of Dungeons Dragons editions released so far.

 

Despite all that criticism I give 9.5/10 and POE1 is best game that I have played with my budget gaming laptop bought year 2017.

Edited February 23, 2018 by Terminator

[Mangamina]

The Chill Of Sarcasm (Fog) is dissipating and I have emerged unscathed but not completely sarcastic-free.     Liking my rant above was a totally cool thing to do by the OP, the best sarcastic "LIKE" I have ever seen!  Thanks for the overlooking of my shortcoming of not reading your review entirely.  If there was a trap that had a sign on it that said "BEWARE OF TRAP" I would probably try to walk right over it!   

[Hulk'O'Saurus]

The Chill Of Sarcasm (Fog) is dissipating and I have emerged unscathed but not completely sarcastic-free.     Liking my rant above was a totally cool thing to do by the OP, the best sarcastic "LIKE" I have ever seen!  Thanks for the overlooking of my shortcoming of not reading your review entirely.  If there was a trap that had a sign on it that said "BEWARE OF TRAP" I would probably try to walk right over it! 

 

If you take that as sarcasm...well, who am I to judge. People who read my reviews on steam are familiar with the style. That said, I understand it may come across in a different way. It's just a misunderstanding. 

 

I know I have a very weird way of writing. Learned that when I was doing fiction. 

[Mangamina]

I'm new to this board and need to tread a little more lightly  , tangling with a writer is that last thing I wanted to do!    I really liked what you said here:  

  

"You could just be a grinder that does factions and side quests just to get particular stuff for a particular build. But the optional content still holds a surprising amount of grey morality that is compressed in a few sentences, and sometimes--few words. But if you pay close attention, you will discover that quite often the situations you are presented with are not so easy to conclude if you put yourself in the picture as yourself. Again, all of these are details presented with almost the bare minimum. But it does hold a good value for those willing to look at the small things. Quite literally--the longer you look, the better it gets."  

  

Its so true and the more I play PoE, the more it draws me in.  You could say that about every game I guess, but there have been many games that I have started and the more I played it the more I disliked it.  Some games start out great but can't keep up the novelty once you scratch the surface, they end up being quite shallow (Two Worlds 2 and Dungeon Siege 3 come to mind and countless others).

[Terminator]

Well I have played nearly 700 hours and real like the game but the first few tries I played I thought it seemed pretty empty and dull compared to BG2... it took me several play throughs to even realise that aloth had something to do with the leaden key. I also remember on my first game after getting through stonewall gorge just what the main quest was or why I was even trying to get to the otherside of the gorge

 

My biggest problem with the game is that lots of the companion quests are pointless and just seem to end. Like the ranger.... go here.... go there... now go over there... find a dead body - never mind that was him - end of quest. What was the point in doing all of that?

 

Eders was one that just seemed to me to end without any conclusion as well.

Ok it is great but seriously playing through it now and this is my second group the first one finished it on to easy challenge level and in addtion I want a little bit more reputation to transfer to POE2.

 

700h? Oh my god? You know this is not World of Warcraft MMO or Neverwinter MMO which I have both played more then 700 hours.

 

I did not buy WM1 and WM2. I only need to buy POE2 and expansions and I have enough to play in year 2018. I enjoy more movies and TV series nowadays and real life and have not played any MMO that is TIME SINK for years and do not play any MMO at least currently.

 

The reason I bought Pillars of Eternity year 2017 is that I had bough budget gaming laptop and then I began checking what they sell. The White March 1 and 2 I did not buy but POE1 i got for less then 30 euro.

 

POE2 this time though I want to buy with expansions but I doubt I will play it  so much you have played POE1 and yes I am aware that POE2 is bigger.

 

It is slighly fun with factions that are not evil but more like left wing (sosialistics for the poor to have better time The Dozens) and those who are that good cause should be defended no matter what costs and decisions should be best left to the noble and more capitalistitic right wing noble faction Crusible Knights. I chose finllay Crusible Knights mainly because I am landlord in real life though not millionaire. I did one quest for Dozens and in real life I also have friends from the left party so to say.

Edited February 26, 2018 by Terminator