In a surprising turn of events, Obsidian Entertainment has announced a new update for the classic RPG, Pillars of Eternity. This update, arriving over a decade after the game’s release, introduces a turn-based mode, much to the delight of fans. Obsidian, well-known for recent hits like Avowed, Grounded 2, and The Outer Worlds 2, is now revisiting its roots with this exciting enhancement.
The studio has unveiled a new public beta, opening on November 5 for Steam and Xbox PC users, featuring this turn-based mode. The announcement was accompanied by insights from game director Josh Sawyer, who shared what this mode means for the game.
According to a blog post by Obsidian, fans of the turn-based mode from Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire will feel at home with this update, which incorporates improvements based on community feedback. More information is listed below.
Exploring Turn-Based Mode in Pillars of Eternity
- Unbound Turns: Character speed now directly influences turn order, enhancing the strategic value of Real-Time with Pause attributes and mechanics.
- Smarter Free Actions: Actions like weapon swapping and potion drinking are now free, with each limited to one per type per turn for balance.
- Faster Pacing: Both enemies and players will find combat more lethal, keeping encounters intense and meaningful.
- Mode Flexibility: Players can choose Turn-Based Mode alongside difficulty settings at the start of a new game, or switch freely between Real-Time with Pause and Turn-Based Mode via game options. A direct HUD toggle is also under investigation for added convenience.
Obsidian advises players to expect bugs and ongoing updates during this public beta phase, which is set to continue for an unspecified duration as they prepare for a full release.
In 2015, Pillars of Eternity received high praise, securing a 9/10 review score. It was celebrated as one of the finest RPGs since Baldur’s Gate. Obsidian later followed this success with Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire in 2018, before being acquired by Microsoft that same year. They have since developed games like The Outer Worlds and Grounded, establishing themselves as a major player under Xbox Games Studios.
The prospect of a Pillars of Eternity 3 has been a topic of discussion, with Sawyer expressing his interest in developing it with a budget akin to Baldur’s Gate 3. “If I got that budget, sure, I’ll make Pillars 3,” he stated, emphasizing a preference for a turn-based combat structure. Obsidian has yet to announce their next project.