Pillars of Eternity - Kind of like Baldur's Gate

[Daryena]

Pillars of Eternity by Obsidian (Fallout: NV, KOTOR 2, NWN2: MOTB) comes out today.  It is supposed to be an "Infinity engine successor" game, so like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale etc.  It was the first really successful game of its type on Kickstarter, which inspired other companies to try crowdfunding for their rpgs. 

Races:

Aumaua • DWARF • Elf • Godlike • Human • Orlan

Classes:

Barbarian • Chanter • Cipher • Druid • Fighter • Monk • Paladin • Priest • Ranger • Rogue • Wizard

I am inclined to go with a Priest or Paladin just for the roleplaying opportunities (see Paladin Orders below).  Though the bard-like Chanters look pretty interesting, too.  For race I'm leaning towards Orlan, the weird-looking, semi-evil gnomes.

 

 

From the Pillars of Eternity Wiki:

Paladin Order

The power of the Faith and Conviction ability can be modified by their behavior and the reputations they develop from the choices they make. When players make a paladin, they select an order. Each choice highlights two types of behavior that are celebrated and two types of behavior that are condemned. For paladins played as the main character, their Faith and Conviction power will shift based on their behavior. Reinforcing their order's preferred behavior will gradually increase their power, while playing against type will cause a small diminishment in their power. These changes are not dramatic, but reflect a measure of dissonance between the character's stated order and how they choose to conduct themselves. ^[2] Known paladin order options:

Order	Celebrated behaviour		Condemned behaviour
	1st disposition	2nd disposition	1st disposition	2nd disposition
The Shieldbearers of St. Elcga	Diplomatic	Honest	Aggressive	Cruel
Bleak Walkers	Aggressive	Cruel[3]	Diplomatic	Benevolent
Kind Wayfarers	Benevolent	Passionate	Deceptive	Cruel
Goldpact Knights[4]	Rational	Stoic	Passionate	Aggressive
Darcozzi Paladini	Clever	Passionate	Cruel	Stoic

 

And a Priest's Deity is similar:

Deity	Celebrated behaviour		Condemned behaviour
	1st disposition	2nd disposition	1st disposition	2nd disposition
Eothas	Honest	Benevolent	Cruel	Deceptive
Magran	Aggressive	Clever	Passionate	Diplomatic
Berath	Stoic	Rational	Cruel	Passionate
Wael	Deceptive	Clever	Rational	Honest
Skaen	Cruel	Deceptive	Aggressive	Benevolent

 Keep in mind that although characters are 3D, it is a zoomed-out isometric perspective game that really does remind me of Baldur's Gate visually, but more modern and with the ability to zoom further in.

 You can check out the game on Steam or GOG.  Will let you know my impressions once I have a chance to play!

[IlservianPalacost]

How much like Baldur's Gate is it? Unfortunately, I get annoyed a few hours into it every time I try to start up a new game and quit.

[Daryena]

I don't know; I'm not the best one to tell you since while I did play it for many hours I never finished it, and I only tried it for the first time within the past couple years.  What annoys you about BG?  Difficulty, clunkiness, graphics?  I find PoE to be a smoother experience, and this is compared to the version of BG1 in the improved BG2 engine (via mods or the Enhanced Edition).  The isometric perspective, area exploration, and combat are all similar, but feel better to me.  It makes a big difference to me that you can zoom further in to see the characters and what's going on in combat.  Not that you *need* that, but it engages me more.  The UI is excellent and doesn't feel clunky.  And there are new classes that play a bit differently from the classic DnD ones, such as the chanter or cipher.

[IlservianPalacost]

It wasn't the isometric camera or anything, I've played games before like that, and I liked the story and characters in BG but I think it was more the clunkiness and having to micromanage a ridiculous amount. And the having to rest to replenish my one healing skill got old as hell. That probably changed later with higher levels but it just all got too tedious.

[IlservianPalacost]

So I went ahead and bought it and damn, I'm liking it a lot more than I did Baldur's Gate, maybe it was simply the aged graphics of BG or something I don't know. Created a Human Paladin as my main, Goldpact Knights. Just hired a Barbarian to roll with me at the first Inn. Thinking about going with my Paladin, Barbarian, Cipher, Druid, Priest, and maybe a Monk or a Fighter as my group. Apparently the Ciphers are better than the Wizards because they don't need to rest to replenish their spells. Anyway, game is fun and immersive as hell.

[Daryena]

IlservianPalacost wrote:

Apparently the Ciphers are better than the Wizards because they don't need to rest to replenish their spells. Anyway, game is fun and immersive as hell.

That's what I was going to tell you about Ciphers!  I ended up making a Cipher since I felt like it fit my orlan, and it is really nice not to have to rest all the time.  If you don't mind mild spoilers, you can see a list of companions and their classes and where to get them on the wiki: http://pillarsofeternity.gamepedia.com/Companion#Companions  The wizard, fighter, priest, and chanter show up pretty early (in that order).  Here's a list of some of the more useful abilities for a few different classes: http://www.reddit.com/r/projecteternity/comments/30sdhh/tip_oftoverlooked_gamechanger_abilities/

Edit: Patch has come out, double click equip bug and other stat bugs have been fixed.

[IlservianPalacost]

I normally drag to equip in these types of game anyway so I think I'm ok. Is there any negative to just creating your own party members? That's what I did for my Barbarian.

[Daryena]

Nah not really any negative, other than missing out on some companion dialog.  I am not far enough along to tell you how important that is, but I would make room for a few of them.