TL;DR
Pillars of Eternity is a retro-inspired RPG that delivers a compelling narrative and deep gameplay, reminiscent of classic titles like Fallout. Character creation is crucial, impacting how NPCs react to you. While combat is real-time with a pause feature for strategy, it feels more deliberate than action-packed. Building a party and managing their gear is streamlined, though controlling the whole team takes some getting used to. The game excels with its engaging story and excellent voice acting, though the Switch version suffers from tiny text in portable mode. If you're a fan of strategic RPGs and intricate stories over fast-paced action, this is a must-play. Discover if its classic charm holds up by reading the full review!
As I noted in my review of Fallout 76, the original Fallout and its sequel hold a special place. Their appeal stems less from cutting-edge graphics and elaborate effects, and more from compelling narrative. Pillars of Eternity shares this emphasis. It’s a digital role-playing game that embraces a retro aesthetic while delivering numerous surprises.
In a nod to classic RPGs, character creation is the first step – a process that can be quite involved. While a quicker path is available, I recommend carefully considering your choices. The selected class and skills significantly influence interactions and the decisions of non-player characters. I opted to create a dwarf, and then commenced my adventure.
The immediate impression is one of strong parallels with Fallout, particularly in its overall feel. The isometric perspective and environmental interaction mechanics are remarkably similar. However, the combat system diverges; rather than directly controlling each attack as in Fallout, characters engage in continuous combat until one is defeated. During battles, pausing is possible to strategically deploy specific abilities or skills.
Early in the game, the player assembles a party, gaining strength and synergistic skill sets. Equipment management and transfer between characters is streamlined. Controlling the entire party requires some acclimation. An early misstep led my entire group directly into a trap due to a lapse in attention. A stealth mode is available for detecting concealed enemies or traps.
Given Pillars of Eternity’s deliberate evocation of retro RPGs, the relatively simple, yet stylish, graphics are acceptable. The scaled-down cutscenes, presented as text and still images reminiscent of an illustrated book, also fit the aesthetic. A notable issue, however, is the recurrent problem of game designers overlooking portable mode during Nintendo Switch ports. Certain text elements become excessively small on the Switch’s screen, occasionally hindering the gaming experience (Nintendo themselves have exhibited this issue with their own, platform-exclusive titles). I also encountered minor bugs, such as overlapping voice lines and text formatting errors, though none were game-breaking.
Despite these minor shortcomings, Pillars of Eternity remains a recommended title for RPG enthusiasts. It’s not a universally appealing game; those seeking action in the style of Diablo will likely be disappointed. This title prioritizes depth and strategic gameplay. Pillars of Eternity is well-suited for portable play on the Switch, akin to experiencing a high-quality interactive novel.
