Photo credit: arstechnica.com
More than just rolling for initiative
Obsidian officially introduced a turn-based combat option to Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire with its patch 4.1, released about eight months after the game’s launch. Josh Sawyer, a prominent designer known for his contributions to Baldur’s Gate II and as the director of both Pillars of Eternity titles, shared in a recent interview with Touch Arcade that the real-time mechanics in the Pillars series were mostly a compromise to satisfy the classic computer RPG enthusiasts who supported the game’s crowdfunding campaigns.
According to Sawyer, his preferred gameplay style is turn-based, and he feels that the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 has significantly shifted the conversation around combat mechanics in modern gaming:
He explained, “I just think it’s easier to design more intricate combats. I enjoy games with a wealth of statistics, of course. (He laughs). However, real-time with pause systems can be quite challenging for players to fully grasp all the information presented. I’ve received feedback from many who have played Deadfire in turn-based mode, indicating that they only began to appreciate aspects of the game, like the affliction and inspiration systems, once they experienced it in this format.”
That said, both titles in the Pillars series were initially crafted with real-time combat in mind. Although Sawyer values the addition of turn-based gameplay in Deadfire, he acknowledges, “the game wasn’t designed for it,” he remarked during his conversation with Touch Arcade. This reality likely applies to the original Pillars of Eternity as well, but insights gathered from Deadfire‘s shift could inform future developments. Other titles from the same era may also entice gamers interested in turn-based combat systems, yet they often lack the complexity of encounters and maps necessary for an engaging turn-based experience.
In addition to this major update for the original Pillars of Eternity, the upcoming 10th anniversary patch aims to improve accessibility for Mac and Linux users utilizing Proton. This update will also help ensure players on GOG and Epic Games platforms receive their Kickstarter rewards and achievements seamlessly. The patch promises enhancements in audio and visual effects, alongside a comprehensive array of mechanical and combat fixes to enrich the overall gameplay experience.
Source
arstechnica.com