TL;DR
Step back into 12th-century England, a land of political turmoil and ambition, as the game adaptation of Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" unfolds. Follow monk Philip's quest to rebuild a cathedral and mason Tom Builder's dream, all while navigating the intricate lives of characters in a vividly realized medieval world. This point-and-click adventure offers a captivating, story-driven experience with a deliberate pace, stunning visuals, and compelling voice acting. While some minor technical quirks exist, its strength lies in its rich narrative and characters. Dive into this epic saga and see if it can capture your imagination.
England in the 12th century, during the Dark Middle Ages. William the Conqueror’s influence has reshaped the country’s rule and succession, leading to internal conflicts among heirs and relatives of the royal family, pitting Britons against Normans. Within the small community of Kingsbridge, a power struggle unfolds within the church. Following the mysterious death of its former head, the monk Philip navigates a complex political landscape to rebuild the cathedral, which was damaged by lightning. Simultaneously, the mason Tom Builder seeks employment to provide for his family and ultimately realize his aspiration: to design and construct his own cathedral.
Ken Follett’s novel series Svärdet och Spiran (Pillars of the Earth), comprised of three books, began with the first publication in 1989. This initial novel serves as the foundation for the adventure game developed by German studio Daedalic Entertainment. Daedalic is known for publishing titles such as Tales of Monkey Island and Machinarium, and for developing The Long Journey Home. For those unfamiliar with the books, the title may still be recognizable due to the 2010 mini-series adaptation by the Canadian premium channel Starz, featuring Ian McShane, Donald Sutherland, and Eddie Redmayne, before his widespread recognition. This series has been broadcast on TV3 and was produced by Ridley Scott.
Daedalic’s game adaptation of Pillars of The Earth (titled Svärdet och Spiran on Xbox) is a classic, two-dimensional point-and-click adventure game. The game begins with the book’s prologue, introducing Tom Builder and his family, as they await the arrival of a new member. The narrative continues through the seven chapters of book one, following the monk Philip and Tom’s son, Jack, among others. Players familiar with LucasArts adventures will find the gameplay familiar: interactive “hot-spots” and a set of core actions (talk, use, look, and combine) are used to solve puzzles, such as using a “key” on a “door”. Gameplay involves exploration, careful observation, gathering clues, interacting with characters, and collecting items, which are often essential for progression.
Pillars of The Earth presents a compelling atmosphere and stylized, aesthetically pleasing graphics. Animations are simple, and the game’s visuals are not technically demanding. The pacing mirrors that of the novel, gradually revealing narrative threads and information, while offering a somewhat romanticized, yet plausible, depiction of the challenging realities of life in medieval England. While not a fantasy title, Pillars of the Earth maintains a sense of intrigue and subtle supernatural tension, featuring elements such as discussions of possessed monks, the devil, sacred cathedrals, and religious faith. The game’s measured pace may not appeal to all players; however, patient players will find a rich story to immerse themselves in, providing approximately 12-17 hours of gameplay. The voice acting is convincing, and dialogue choices offer a degree of freedom that influences the unfolding events. Each chapter concludes with a summary reminiscent of Telltale’s Wolf Among Us.
Tom Builder’s son, Jack, portrayed by Eddie Redmayne in the TV series.
Minor technical issues were observed, including occasional frame rate slowdowns and the need for precise clicks to transition between screens, which may prevent unintentional area exits. These are elements that Daedalic could refine in future installments. While Pillars of the Earth may not be the most intricate or feature-rich adventure game available, its challenges reside in identifying the correct character to engage with or locating specific items, rather than complex puzzle design. The impact of dialogue choices does not always feel as significant as in Telltale’s titles. Ultimately, the game functions best as an interactive, visual narrative centered on compelling characters and their intertwined destinies within a historically significant and turbulent period.
