Codex Review RPG Codex Retrospective Review: Pillars of Eternity Revisited

[Sentinel]

Well after 15 years of "it's the publisher's fault, we had no time", to come out with 2 games that are inferior to anything they've made in the past is a bit weird to say the least...

They still ran out of time on Pillars (Feargus said he'd fire Adam and Josh if it didn't ship by March) and Tyranny was funded by Paradox.

PoE2 has been in development since at least Summer 2015 Summer 2016, so for PoE2 (which will most likely get delayed) that's 3 years 2 years in development. If this is the case, then indeed they have run out of excuses. And writing talent as well.
I just re-checked and the PAX panel where they talked about the new features they were working on for PoE2 engine-wise was in 2016, not 2015.

 

[Roguey]

Prime Junta you were right there in that thread, did you gloss over it or what? http://www.rpgcodex.net/forums/inde...expansion-thread.100006/page-261#post-5287820

 

[Prime Junta]

Sorry Roguey, I don't have your encyclopedic memory for all things Josh. Thanks.

 

[Iznaliu]

Yes, PoE is practically impactless mediocre, but perfectly serviceable game. It's hardly the apocalypse. If not for the unnecessary attention given to the game here, it would already be forgotten. Literally, has nothing going on for it

It's got plenty of attention outside the Codex.

 

[MicoSelva]

if you are good enough, you will face off against two dragons AND an archmage (I had to give up on that one and solve it through dialogue – making it the only fight in Pillars I have not beat).

Obviously, after reading that, I had to try...

Took me four tries...

You probably played on a Path of the Damned, though, while I am only playing on Hard in this playthrough.

 

[Grunker]

You probably played on a Path of the Damned, though, while I am only playing on Hard in this playthrough.

Was going to goldfist you until I saw this! Mico my man, PotD is the only way to fly. You're robbing yourself by not playing on it!

 

[Diggfinger]

You probably played on a Path of the Damned, though, while I am only playing on Hard in this playthrough.

Was going to goldfist you until I saw this! Mico my man, PotD is the only way to fly. You're robbing yourself by not playing on it!

Thanks for a great review/retrospective Grunker .
I kick-started PoE but could never play it as my previous PC couldn't run it.

GOG is having White March I + II for sale at 14EUR. Giving your in-depth review, this seems a great deal for tons of content so will buy it.


Path of the Damned difficulty is available immediately, it's not unlock-able right?

PS. er du dansker?

 

[Grunker]

Yeah Path of the Damned is available instantly, and there's no way around the fact that it's almost a different game on that difficulty.

Og jep, jeg er dansker

 

[Lhynn]

Yeah Path of the Damned is available instantly, and there's no way around the fact that it's almost a different game on that difficulty.

Og jep, jeg er dansker

Its the same shit, only bigger numbers.

 

[Iznaliu]

Its the same shit, only bigger numbers.

You can use this sort of extremely reductionistic approach to argue that almost any game's difficulty has no real effect on anything. From what I've heard, PoE's PoTD has a real effect on the tactics and strategies that are needed.

 

[Lhynn]

You can use this sort of extremely reductionistic approach to argue that almost any game's difficulty has no real effect on anything.

I could, and id be right. PoE isnt the only shallow and retarded game that features this kind of difficulty.

From what I've heard, PoE's PoTD has a real effect on the tactics and strategies that are needed.

Youve heard wrong, its retardedly easy even on PoTD from a tactical or strategical standpoint. The only real added difficulty is more busywork.

 

[Grunker]

You will face high level kobold ambushes that engage you on three levels of the same area

For all of AD&D's mechanical faults, at least it tended to encourage some kind of consistency between gameplay and setting. A paladin was inherently non-squishy; kobolds were inherently weak scavengers.

I was re-reading this thread for shits and giggles and only now does it dawn on me how funny this comment is, seeing as BG2 actually does exactly the same thing as PoE with Kobolds specifically. Multiple times, in fact. That is, designing an encounter with this very weak enemy that you're used to pushing over in the very beginning of the game but giving them upgraded equipment and abilities to punish you for resting on your laurels when encountering it.

Much like heroin abuse, continual AD&D fandom requires a combination of denial, selective memory and complete isolation from the outside world for most of the day.

 

[AwesomeButton]

Are you replaying BG2?

 

[luj1]

We need to re-review Pillars until it's a 11/10 game

 

[Grunker]

Are you replaying BG2?

Finished a complete playthrough something like 6 months ago of all "three" games. First time in a decade or something I've played them completely back to back. Very enjoyable experience, though SCS + Ascension final fight is some of the most ridiculous shit I've ever played lol.

FTR, Item Randomiser remains the 2nd place GOAT after SCS.

 

[Infinitron]

I was re-reading this thread for shits and giggles and only now does it dawn on me how funny this comment is, seeing as BG2 actually does exactly the same thing as PoE with Kobolds specifically.

Kobold Bhaalspawn: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Merlinious

 

[AwesomeButton]

Funny, I just finished Baldur's Gate yesterday, immediately after having finished Fallout and I struggle to put into words what a horrible experience BG is. RPGs had a right and wrong path in 1997 and they took the wrong one next year.

 

[Grunker]

Funny, I just finished Baldur's Gate yesterday, immediately after having finished Fallout and I struggle to put into words what a horrible experience BG is. RPGs had a right and wrong path in 1997 and they took the wrong one next year.

What can I say, I just love the feeling of adventure and SCS combat

 

[Cohesion]

Much like heroin abuse, continual AD&D fandom requires a combination of denial, selective memory and complete isolation from the outside world for most of the day.

That was oddly specific.