Steam Review: Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire artwork

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Steam
Very Positive· 8.3K reviews
  • RPG
Developer
Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher
Versus Evil
Released
May 8, 2018
$19.99

AI Review Summary of Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire is widely regarded as an excellent and deep CRPG, with particular praise for its combat mechanics, narrative depth, world-building, and character interaction system. However, it faces criticism regarding its storyline, technical issues, and some gameplay elements. It is especially recommended for fans of classic isometric RPGs who enjoy rich storytelling, complex tactical combat, and exploration of morally nuanced choices.

Pros

  • Rich storytelling with layered, sophisticated narrative and meaningful faction dynamics.
  • Great character creation and multiclassing systems providing high replayability and build diversity.
  • Excellent world-building, setting, and lore, with a unique Polynesian-colonial vibe that offers a fresh backdrop.
  • Deep and engaging combat system that is intuitive yet complex enough for tactical variety.
  • Expansive content including side quests, DLCs, and a fully customizable ship, adding to the game's richness.
  • Beautiful art style, timeless visuals, and impressive party interaction that adds depth to gameplay experience.

Cons

  • Story and main narrative are sometimes perceived as shallow, short, or not as engaging as the first game.
  • Technical issues such as bugs, game stutters, and performance problems, especially on high-end hardware.
  • Some gameplay elements, like ship combat and exploration, may feel underwhelming or poorly implemented.
  • Turn-based mode, while added later, may not meet all players’ expectations and can feel unpolished.
  • DLC content can be inconsistent, with some expansions feeling draggy or less engaging.

Recommendation

> Highly recommended for fans of narrative-rich, tactical CRPGs who are prepared for some technical hiccups. Play with mod support if possible, and consider starting with Pillars of Eternity 1 for the full story experience. It remains one of the top choices in its genre for complex storytelling and strategic gameplay.

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