While I was disappointed I couldn't find a good heir to the Black Isles era, I didn't know there was a team building a game like Pathfinder. It uses the same mechanics as Baldur's Gate : an adventure game with plenty of RP mechanics, especially with plenty of "hidden" check rolls.
No game reach this level yet. Larian is far behind, Obsidian lack something really epic, Bioware is too far from its early standards. The big studios seem unable to offer a proper RPG, probably because their fan base don't know much about it and prefer action games.
It is flawed. There's plenty missing, but they did a massive job to enhance game mechanics.
First, your kingdom : either you leave it to the AI, either you manage it. Finally, we have a heroe with a proper fortress to manage. Too bad interactions with other characters are not that rich there. But otherwise, it feels right and good.
Beware, some challenges can be difficult if your roleplay is "good" or "evil", "neutral" management seems to be way easier.
Fighting. At last, a good turn-based game with pause that looks like Baldur's Gate. Even more interesting as Pathfinder as a pretty good set of rules, and uses character building closer to Nerverwinter Nights.
This combat system is the best : you still have turn-based mechanics, but it is way more dynamic, making fighting even more tactical than classical turn-based game. Buff yourself, fight, debuff ennemies, buff again, fight,... There's a lot of ways to improve your attack rolls and dispatch ennemies, especially the strongest.
Finally a game that gives challenge : you need your brain to overcome the normal difficulty. And that feels good. For once, a normal mode with challenge.
Multiple endings depending on your choices. And I won't spoil you, you can litteraly skip a whole chapter with smart decisions. The hardest chapter. And without breaking the story and the role you played.
A very fine job, hopefully most lessons will be learned for Wrath of the Righteous
