Pathfinder: Kingmaker - Enhanced Plus Edition

It's not perfect, there's issues, but this is still the overall best topdown RPG since Baldur's Gate 2. If you know those old games, you'll most likely love this. If you felt Tyranny was to on-rails, somewhat shallow and easy combat, if you felt Pillars of Eternity was to vanilla cookie-cutter wherein I can't even recall what the antagonist or bad guy was in that game, then this is for you. If you're entirely new to these types of games, this can be a very daunting game for you. There's nothing wrong to change the extremely indepth customization for difficulty if you're new to these games. I myself love reloading like 8+ times on difficult fights, I see them as a puzzle need solving with different spells and potions, but I also get that a lot of modern players won't want that. TLDR: If you're oldschool, this is the best game on the market for that. If you're new, don't be afraid of changing difficulties to learn, these games are complex and that's their charm.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker tried to be a pegasus, but ended up a frankenstein. Because here you have: - immersive things (locations, story, music) AND ever-present time limits. How can I stop by and marvel the tatzlwurm location's pines and mist, when clocks are ticking right at the top of the screen? I need this time to rest my everfatiguing party, return to the merchant, manage the barony and so on! - explicit AND hidden time counters! This is counterintuitive and just deceiving. It's good when game outplays you - at the level of plot or characters, not in the core mechanics. - classic party-RPG AND economic strategy simultaneously! Mixing genres is to create a new one or to tint one with another. But here you just have TWO subgames, rather mutually interfering. Mostly I was choosing between expiring quests and barony events. (while clock counter was making sure I'll succeed in neither) After all, rules and borders help to create a setting, a coherent image of something. And overcoming most of the borders can sometimes just render your image inconsistent, and your game - a "mixed bag".

Despite a large number of bugs in this game, i still rate it five stars. A bit illogical i know, but everything about this game is so immersive and simply addictive that i just can't help it. The game features an open world which slowly opens up as you progress, with overwhelming amount of things to do. The story is unique in a sense that it revolves around you, the player, and it is a really well written game. Companions are also fun and each features a story and a unique character arc. So in addition to the main players story, your companions are also growing and evolving with you. The game also features an elaborate kingdom management. So it's not like you get a fort, then upgrade few walls and that's it. No your kingdom will crumble if neglected, and it is constantly being assaulted on all sides. Some of these you must resolve personally, while others can be resolved through your advisors and later ministers. Obvious downside of this game are bugs. There are plenty of them, mostly once you reach later stages of the game. Some are game breaking, others are simple enough to be barely noticeable. Luckily for me, i haven't encountered any game breaking bugs yet, and i am nearing the end of the game. However, i did encounter issues with non functioning NPC's, quests that aren't being updated, some class features and skill not working as intended etc. But while we are still on topic of bugs, i will say that devs are really doing their best to fix the most critical ones. The game is being patched at least three times per week since the release, and there are plenty more to come. I know they shouldn't be in game in the first place, but this is their first game, and i am willing to give them a pass, especially seeing how hard they try to fix it. I've bought this game without knowing anything about it, literally. I heard of it only few days before release. I took a risk and bought it, and i am glad i did!

Forewords: I have played a lot of pen and paper 3ed D&D and some 3.5ed D&D. But I have never played Pathfinder. I started the game with "challenging" but lowered one thing to "custom". I didn't like "slightly tougher enemies", because I feel the "+2" or so modifiers the enemies get is more than just slightly in the long run. I like this game. A lot. I have read other reviews about bugs and the game being unfair/too hard. I have not witnessed that. I see the challenges that other have with hard encounters, but I also can always turn away from them. Get experience(for me as a player and my characters) and explore the lands. What I have witnessed (pros): - Good dialogy - Great "Camp resting" mechanics - Phenominally great tabletop RPG => computer game mechanics. *applaud* - Great Character creation. A lot of options. - Really challenging fights, but that is something that I like. - I like the time limit in the first main quest. It is not harsh, but it is there. But there are things to improve (cons): - The infamous Spider swarm quest encounter... So just ignore it if you can't handle it. I couldn't, but I might later. I made a fighter, but a sorc or wizard could make short work of them. - There are some bugs. One of my class features doesn't work. No big deal, but a downer. - Experience from battle is too low. This game is so pen and paper, but the fights vs experience gain is demoriliazing. It seems so futile. It seems like nothing. I have played just few nights. But so far it is everything I had hoped.

I won't go into full details but the game could use more or a tutorial for the system. That being said I've stayed up much too late the last few days playing this game so I'd call that a ringing endorsement. I'll leave the nitpicks to people who prefer to spend their time complaining about the game instead of playing it.