Obsidian Casts a Time-Warp Spell: Pillars of Eternity Gets Turn-Based Combat 11 Years Later, Just in Time for the BG3 Hype!
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Obsidian has surprised everyone by adding a turn-based combat mode to *Pillars of Eternity* eleven years after its release, likely influenced by the success of *Baldur's Gate 3* and mirroring a previous update for *Deadfire*, offering a fresh way to experience the classic RPG. It's a brilliant move for player choice and replayability, proving old dogs (and games) can absolutely learn new tricks.
Right then, gather 'round, mates, because I've been tinkering with some news that's wilder than a rogue goblin with a rocket launcher. You know that feeling when you dig through an old chest in a dusty wizard's tower and find a spellbook you completely forgot about? Well, Obsidian Entertainment just did something a bit like that with *Pillars of Eternity*.
Eleven years, you heard me right, *eleven years* after its initial launch, the original *Pillars of Eternity* has received a shiny new turn-based combat mode on PC. Bloody hell, talk about a long-awaited enchantment finally manifesting! Now, before you start thinking this is some kind of digital necromancy gone awry, let's unpack why this delightful, albeit rather belated, update has just dropped.
Now, for those of you who might have been living under a rock (or perhaps just deeply engrossed in a particularly long dungeon crawl), *Pillars of Eternity* was Obsidian's triumphant return to the classic, isometric CRPG style. It was the game that screamed, "Hey, remember *Baldur's Gate*? Good times, eh?" – before *Baldur's Gate 3* came along and utterly stole the show, redefining what a modern CRPG could be with its own brilliant turn-based mechanics and epic scale. In fact, when *Pillars* first landed, some folks, including our friends over at Eurogamer, even hailed it as "the *Baldur's Gate 3* we never got." Pretty prophetic, that, wouldn't you say?
So, what's sparked this decade-late dance with destiny? You don't need to be a digital diviner to connect the dots to *Baldur's Gate 3*'s colossal success. Larian Studios proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that turn-based combat, when done right, isn't just a niche preference – it's a genre-defining, award-sweeping, player-loving powerhouse. Suddenly, a whole new generation of gamers, or perhaps older ones with rekindled nostalgia, are craving that methodical, strategic combat experience.
But wait, there's a precedent! This isn't Obsidian's first rodeo when it comes to retrofitting turn-based combat. Remember *Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire*? That glorious, rum-and-sunshine-soaked piratical adventure also got a turn-based mode added in 2019, years after its release. So, while a surprise, it's not entirely out of the blue. It shows a commitment to refining player experience and perhaps, an understanding that sometimes, the players know best.
This new turn-based mode isn't just a simple toggle, either. Fran Ruiz, reporting for Eurogamer, pointed out that it's a "fully featured alternate combat mode with turns 'influenced by character speed'." What does that mean for you, the intrepid adventurer? Well, your speedy rogues and nimble spellcasters might just get to act twice in a round, opening up all sorts of tactical possibilities. You can switch to it when starting a new game or, even better, toggle it on or off right in the menus mid-playthrough. Talk about flexibility – it's like having a magic wand that changes the very fabric of time in your game world!
Beyond the headline-grabbing combat mode, this new patch also tidies up a few bits with various tweaks and fixes, and blessedly, the Korean localisation has finally been made available and updated across all versions. Always good to see a game get a bit of extra polish, even after all this time.
Now, what does this tell us about the broader gaming landscape? It's a fascinating trend, isn't it? Developers, whether through genuine passion or a keen eye on market trends, are circling back to enhance beloved older titles. It’s a win for preservation, a win for accessibility (many find real-time-with-pause a bit too frantic), and a win for replayability. How many of you were on the fence about revisiting *Pillars* because real-time-with-pause just wasn't your jam? Reckon a fair few. Now, that barrier's gone.
It also highlights the enduring legacy of Obsidian. They've always been masters of deep RPG worlds and intricate storytelling. From *Fallout: New Vegas* to *Tyranny*, and of course, the *Pillars* series, they've crafted experiences that stick with you. And with *Avowed*, their upcoming third-person action RPG set in the same Eora world, slated for 2025, it’s a brilliant way to remind everyone of the rich lore and history that underpins their universe. A clever bit of synergy, if you ask me, like a well-timed buff just before a boss fight.
So, if you've been yearning for a reason to dive back into the world of Eora, or perhaps you're a fresh-faced recruit to the CRPG scene thanks to *Baldur's Gate 3*, now might just be the perfect time. Grab your digital dice, sharpen your wits, and get ready for a whole new way to experience a true classic. It's a good day for old games learning new tricks, mate.
*Many thanks to Fran Ruiz at Eurogamer for bringing this surprisingly wonderful news to light!*
Tags: CRPG, Pillars of Eternity, Obsidian Entertainment, Turn-Based Combat, Gaming Updates
Original article: Eurogamer