The award-winning RPG Pillars of Eternity is getting a surprising update 10 years later, which will significantly change how players experience the game. The isometric game features a real-time-with-pause gameplay style, but Obsidian Entertainment had previously announced an upcoming turn-based RPG mode for Pillars of Eternity. However, it was unknown when this would be implemented and when players would get to test it.
Now, the studio owned by Xbox has made an official announcement on the Obsidian website, stating that the public beta tests for the turn-based mode will start on November 5, for both Steam and Xbox PC players. This will allow players to try out what the studio has been testing over the past few months and finally feel how different it is from the real-time-with-pause system, as well as the improvements made on top of the Deadfire’s template.
Pillars Of Eternity Is Getting A Turn-Based RPG Mode
Turn-Based Mode Will Improve Upon Pillars Of Eternity II: Deadfire
According to the announcement, the new turn-based system will be inspired by the combat mechanics used in the sequel, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, but it will have key improvements based on feedback for the game. The update will see that turns are influenced by each character’s speed, which will retain the value of real-time-with-pause attributes and mechanics.
Obsidian also explains that there will be an optimized way of using free actions; you’ll be able to swap weapons and drink potions as free actions, for example, through free actions will be limited to one per turn for balance. According to the trailer on Obsidian’s YouTube channel, this restriction is so that the system doesn’t feel abusable.
Playing Pillars of Eternity may now feel a bit faster in the turn-based mode, as combat lethality is being improved within the system. This will allow battles to feel more impactful without staggering progress too much. Furthermore, you’ll be able to swap freely between both gameplay modes via the options.
Turn-Based Mode Can Make Pillars Of Eternity An Alternative To Baldur’s Gate 3
Obsidian’s RPG Could Please Fans Of Larian’s Game With The New Update
Obsidian Entertainment has revealed that these new beta tests will occur for an undetermined period as the company studies player feedback and makes adjustments for a full release in the future. This is, nonetheless, a huge update for a 10-year-old game. Curiously enough, turn-based mode is a great option for the game, and makes Pillars of Eternity a viable alternative for Baldur’s Gate 3 fans.
Surely, Pillars of Eternity has been on the market for over 10 years, but its real-time-with-pause system doesn’t please every player. Even Deadfire, which is a spectacular RPG, has a few flaws in its turn-based combat that don’t make it feel just as good as Larian’s latest release.
The turn-based mode, which is being enhanced on top of Deadfire’s own system, after the release of great turn-based games like BG3 and even Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has me excited for what Pillars of Eternity could look like upon its final release, or even a future Pillars of Eternity 3.
- Released
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March 26, 2015
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
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Obsidian Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
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Paradox Interactive, Versus Evil
- Engine
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Unity