Steam has a huge selection of amazing fantasy games. Though you can find many of them elsewhere, Steam is a great place to discover top-rated titles, as the most popular and highly-rated games are prominently featured.
In March 2016, Obsidian Entertainment surprised gamers with a new fantasy role-playing game called Pillars of Eternity, released on Steam, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The game showed that a classic RPG experience, built on the traditions of the genre, could still be successful and create a lasting franchise.
Pillars of Eternity Was Designed as a Spiritual Sequel
While Pillars of Eternity didn’t become a huge hit with everyone when it launched on Steam, fans of classic role-playing games will definitely recognize it. It was intentionally created to feel like the spiritual successor to influential titles like Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment – games that really set the standard for the genre.
A lot of the people who originally created classic RPGs also worked on Pillars of Eternity, so it feels like a natural continuation of those games. It embraces familiar fantasy RPG elements and takes place in the rich and detailed world of Eora, which offers a lot of potential for great stories.
One of the things that makes Pillars of Eternity so beloved and enduring is its incredibly detailed and immersive world. The game centers around a fascinating conflict: the existence of children born without souls, known as “hollowborn.” You play as a Watcher, a unique individual with the ability to see into the past and perceive the souls of others.
This initial setup forms the core of how the game works, and it’s driven by a story idea that’s both unique and emotionally powerful. Pillars of Eternity challenges players to fix the problems of the world, even if it means making difficult choices.
Obsidian Entertainment is known for creating fantastic games, including hidden gems like South Park: The Stick of Truth. Pillars of Eternity perfectly demonstrates why the studio is so highly respected. It features strategic battles, extensive character customization, and choices that truly matter, all while feeling both familiar and fresh.
The game features a morality system where your choices truly matter, and discovering new locations feels both satisfying and essential to moving forward. Players on Steam overwhelmingly recommend it, highlighting the diverse classes, compelling story, and abundance of achievements as major strengths. Many consider it a true masterpiece.
Pillars of Eternity Launched an RPG Franchise
Video games are often remembered for what they achieve over time, and Pillars of Eternity is a great example. Though it started quietly, the game has become much more popular since its release. With the recent surge in interest in RPGs—partly thanks to the success of Baldur’s Gate 3—Pillars of Eternity was able to grow its player base and build upon its original foundation.
The game received a sequel called Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, which picks up right where the first game left off, putting players back in the role of the Watcher. While it didn’t sell quite as much as the original, it received very positive reviews on Steam. The sequel maintained the same atmosphere and impressive world-building as the first game, and many considered it an improvement, despite being a relatively quiet release that still exceeded expectations.
This culminated in the release of Avowed, arguably the most prominent game in the series yet, and for many, their initial experience with the world of Pillars of Eternity. Despite not meeting sales expectations and receiving generally positive Steam reviews – a pattern seen with other games in the franchise – it still marked a significant step forward.
After more than ten years, it appears Pillars of Eternity nailed the formula from the start. Its unique approach and gameplay created the definitive fantasy RPG experience, and it hasn’t been topped since – it’s a true tribute to the genre.
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2026-03-12 04:12