Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

There are profound improvements compared to the first PoE. The graphics engine has been revised and now there are new animations, a new lighting system and more defined textures. Even the GDR mechanics are deeper and now you can create characters with dual class (for example magician and warrior together) but despite this, the system is easier and more satisfying to learn than the first, ( especially for the skill tree when you level up ) . The combat system remains similar to the first, but thanks to the new graphic effects it becomes more fun. Then there are also absolute novelties such as naval battles that give the game more variety. I also personally consider the most successful and original pirate setting. While PoE 1 had a fantasy setting too classic and trivial for me. Another thing I appreciate is the reputation you can have with your party companions. In fact, depending on the choice we will make in a certain dialogue, our party members will "interfere" in the discussion and will agree with us or not. Increasing or decreasing their loyalty to us. (We can also have romantic stories with some of them). Even narratively it seems slightly better than the first chapter. In fact I must admit that the incipit of the first PoE is slow and boring; you do not understand clearly the way they want to take the developers at the beginning. While in this chapter, our goal is clear to us right from the start. The only thing I do not like, are less detailed descriptions and dialogues compared to the first chapter ( because of Chris's departure? ). Moreover the comapnions are not memorable, but they are ok. 4/5

The game is full of bugs. Mostly minor visual ones, but i encountered some realy annoying ones too. The main story is flat. I haven't felt so meaningless making a decision since the Witcher 2 ending :/. The faction quest felt unfinished, and not well desingned. The first 1/3 of the game was good, but the rest of it felt half empty and rushed. And the romance part of the game should have been left out. It is just lame. It is not a bad game for it's price, but it could have been much better...

Honestly, this game is great for people who like to try a wide variety of character builds. Each class has several sub-classes, all of which can be combined into a multi-class character. So many options. The graphics and sound are just really well polished. The voice acting is good too. The plot is fine. Played through quite a bit, and it fleshes out the big-picture concepts from the first one, but so far there hasn't been any "oh wow" moments.

Was utterly bored when playing POE1 and so I waited for POE2 to be on sale before giving it a try. Gone is the tedious constant soul reading, and I think that the new turn based system made a huge difference in enjoying combat. The pirate theme and exotic scenery is lovely, the cultural clash between the factions very enjoyable, so is the characterization of the Gods. The party banter is a plus for BG fans like me. The main quest is somewhat short, but if you take some time for exploration and side quests you'll be fine (100h gameplay for me).

This is an amazingly intricate game, with so much freedom, choice, and the ability to replay countless times. It has packed so much more in since POE1 and has build upon almost everything from that game in new and creative ways. Much more than I ever expected. This is awesome to see as it adds to the appeal and fun of replaying it, and it hasn't just dragged along all the same systems from POE1, which I was almost expecting to be done, as with BG1 to BG2. This feels like its own game in its way, and is a testament to the hard work of the people who made this and their drive to improve and offer as more. There is so much good to speak about for this game, as everything is finely polished from the voice acting, to the story line, combat, or the enhanced graphics since POE1. I am very much a fan, and am looking forward to replaying this again and again, and for all the the future updates, and DLC's. The only difference I felt in this game, was that it can take you a little time to get your feet, as tasks / quests will be coming at you from all angles and some may be out of your experience to handle straight away. This was a little overwhelming at the beginning, as their was no clear path laid out, and I was diving into areas of the game I probably shouldn't have been while at a lower level. The more I played however, the easier it became to navigate and I think this comes naturally for each persons playing style. The game doesn't hold your hand however, and you should expect to fail, die, replay, and constantly refine your own methods of playing - this is one of the greatest things about this game however, as it offers such a fantastic level of complexity that anything is possible.