The term "RPG" has become so broad that most game designers and players alike can't agree on what constitutes an RPG, let alone a "real one." Obsidian doesn't pretend that this game is a "real RPG," but it does harken back to a specific genre of RPG genre long thought to be "dead."
Pillars of Eternity is a spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate and other Infinity Engine cRPGs from the late 1990's/early 2000's. It is a Tolkien-esque European fantasy game similar to D&D, but is its own IP so the developers can put in their own creative spins and explore themes and concepts less possible when someone else holds the copyright.
For example, the standard “Medieval European” fantasy setting is given a fresh twist of entering a Renaissance, so the game can explore the growing pains of a society quickly jumping forward. Mechanically, the “social skills” of old (Charisma stat and the Persuade skill) only available to some classes (usually the priestly or spellcasting class) has been replaced with various stats that can work for any class. Intelligence, Perception, and Resolution stats and Survival or Lore skills can all be maxed by any class, so players can enjoy flavorful conversations (and “persuade” dialogue options) whether they’re an uncouth barbarian or a charismatic paladin.
In an age where RP Gs place an emphasis on cinematic 3D graphics and cutscenes, solidly defined or pre-written protagonists (like Shepard from Mass Effect), and an often binary "Illusion of Choice,” Pillars places an emphasis on GORGEOUS (seemingly) 2D backgrounds with Isometric View, an extensively detailed character creator, and actual choices. Every encounter allows the player to give several responses per conversation round (most of which changes the outcome of said conversations), and almost every quest can be solved no less than several different ways. The game keeps track of your decisions too, as many earlier-game choices affect the late game, and late-game choices contribute to vastly different endings.
The story is solid, though it is not perfect, the themes are thought-provoking, and the companions are very fun and likable.
If you are a fan of, or are open to, "old-school" cRPGs like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Planescape Torment, and so on (but don't expect it to be an exact copy) then it is a very fun, very solid game.
A Very Solid and Fun Game
The term "RPG" has become so broad that most game designers and players alike can't agree on what constitutes an RPG, let alone a "real one." Obsidian doesn't pretend that this game is a "real RPG," but it does harken back to a specific genre of RPG genre long thought to be "dead."
Pillars of Eternity is a spiritual successor to Baldur's Gate and other Infinity Engine cRPGs from the late 1990's/early 2000's. It is a Tolkien-esque European fantasy game similar to D&D, but is its own IP so the developers can put in their own creative spins and explore themes and concepts less possible when someone else holds the copyright.
For example, the standard “Medieval European” fantasy setting is given a fresh twist of entering a Renaissance, so the game can explore the growing pains of a society quickly jumping forward. Mechanically, the “social skills” of old (Charisma stat and the Persuade skill) only available to some classes (usually the priestly or spellcasting class) has been replaced with various stats that can work for any class. Intelligence, Perception, and Resolution stats and Survival or Lore skills can all be maxed by any class, so players can enjoy flavorful conversations (and “persuade” dialogue options) whether they’re an uncouth barbarian or a charismatic paladin.
In an age where RP Gs place an emphasis on cinematic 3D graphics and cutscenes, solidly defined or pre-written protagonists (like Shepard from Mass Effect), and an often binary "Illusion of Choice,” Pillars places an emphasis on GORGEOUS (seemingly) 2D backgrounds with Isometric View, an extensively detailed character creator, and actual choices. Every encounter allows the player to give several responses per conversation round (most of which changes the outcome of said conversations), and almost every quest can be solved no less than several different ways. The game keeps track of your decisions too, as many earlier-game choices affect the late game, and late-game choices contribute to vastly different endings.
The story is solid, though it is not perfect, the themes are thought-provoking, and the companions are very fun and likable.
If you are a fan of, or are open to, "old-school" cRPGs like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Planescape Torment, and so on (but don't expect it to be an exact copy) then it is a very fun, very solid game.