Pillars of Eternity (formerly Project Eternity)

[bp9801]

Pillars of Eternity launches on March 26! All backers will be getting it on that day, with any physical rewards shipping around that day, too. Disc copies won't be shipping until later on, so backers can only get the digital copy at launch. Pre-orders are available on Steam to snag a couple of in-game items, with various editions packing in more content. For backers, this forum post details what each edition has compared to their pledge, so definitely useful.

[bp9801]

If you're a Kickstarter backer, head over to the game's website, log in (if you aren't already), and then click on Products. There you can choose to get the game on Steam or on GOG. All other rewards have to wait until tomorrow, but at least you can start pre-loading the game now if you go the Steam route. The download clocks in around 6GB, but can take up to 18GB once all is unpacked and installed.

[bp9801]

Just a little more to go before Pillars of Eternity launches! Reviews are coming out, with plenty of positive remarks. PC Gamer gave it a 92/100, Escapist a 5/5, PCGamesN a 10/10, and Pixel Dynamo an 8.8/10. Eurogamer gave it their recommended stamp (no review scores from them anymore; Rock, Paper, Shotgun recommends it, too; and PCWorld isn't finished yet, but highly recommends it.

 

All in all, places seem to be calling it Obsidian's finest work ever and a fantastic successor to the likes of Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, and other Infinity Engine isometric RPGs.

[bp9801]

I've been enjoying Pillars. Plays just like how you remember the Infinity Engine games did, but with so many improvements. Sadly I haven't been able to play as much as I'd like because of school, but I highly recommend any RPG fan to pick it up.

 

Also, patch 1.03 has been released (853.7MB download) that addresses a lot of issues. Plus adds some neat items, like new icons, adjustable anti-aliasing levels, and hats for bears and cats.

[bp9801]

 

New expansion inbound, but no word on when it will arrive.

[bp9801]

 

The expansion does actually release tomorrow, despite the almost zero fan fair made by Obsidian about it.

[bp9801]

 

$14.99 for Part I or can be picked up in a combo for Parts I and II for $24.99.

 

"Set during the middle of the original game similar to the classic Tales of the Sword Coast, the new expansion can be experienced regardless if players have completed the core game or not. Players will venture into a new setting inspired by the snowy environments of Icewind Dale, and meet new companions including The Devil of Caroc, a construct rogue, and the scarred monk Zahua. Additionally, players can make use of new advanced party-based AI during combat and other adventuring challenges."

[bp9801]

Patch 2.03 arrived today on Steam and GOG, with a good amount of changes included.

 

Steam Controller

 

Pillars of Eternity now has support for the Steam controller. The official controller settings are now the default settings.

There is a suggested configuration that can be found on the templates that are accessed in Steam's big screen mode.

New key bindings have been added to support additional actions needed for the Steam controller control schemes.

 

Fighter Changes

 

Base Deflection raised up by 5.

Knockdown gets a 1.20 damage multiplier (no longer gets bonus Crush damage).

Disciplined Barrage raised from +10 to +15 Accuracy.

Armored Grace has been scaled from -15% to -20% Armor Recovery Penalty

Clear Out base Crush damage increased from 10-16 to 15-22. Scales every 3 levels after 7 by 15%.

Into the Fray's damage scales every 3 levels after 5 by 15%.

 

Major Fixes

 

Fixed an issue that was causing certain quests to take experience instead of granting it.

Fixed a problem with chanters not being able to set their chants properly after they have retrained.

Fixed an issue where retraining was allowing characters to obtain unlimited skill points.

Using store filters now only shows the appropriate items instead of graying out other items in the store panel.

Fixed multiple issues with the stronghold and how it interacted with DLC content.

Fixed an issue that caused the main character to lose his or her background shortly after character creation.

 

Party/Companion AI

 

Can now enable/disable AI on multiple non-pet characters at the same time.

Fixed issues where AI would not automatically attack enemies.

Fixed issues where AI would engage enemies that were hidden by fog of war.

Fixed an issue where AI casters would cast per-rest abilities despite the option being turned off.

Fixed an issue that caused AI controlled party members to attack other party members that were charmed or confused.

Reviewed and updated what spells/abilities are cast in AI profiles for multiple classes.

 

Monsters/Enemies/NPCs

 

Multiple enemy types have been given immunities to certain afflictions.

These enemy types have had their bestiary updated to reflect these immunities.

Fixed multiple issues regarding NPC reactivity after completing certain quests.

Fixed multiple bugs regarding Enemies/NPCs detecting stealthed characters and how they react to stealthed characters that they detect.

Rebalanced requirements for full bestiary unlocks for certain enemies that were not unlocking on easy difficulty.

Added additional bestiary information for multiple enemy types.

 

Abilities/Talents

 

Minor Grimoire Imprint has had multiple fixes and now works as intended.

Fixed an issue with the Ranger's Stalker's Link ability adding too much accuracy in some situations.

Fixed an issue that caused certain buffs and abilities to persist after combat ended.

St. Ydwen's Redeemer's Revive the Fallen ability now works correctly.

Fixed an issue that allowed Chanters to choose an extra talent.

Fixed an issue where the debuff "Bonded Grief" would not be removed after reviving animal companions.

 

Quests

 

Fixed an issue with The Siege of Cragholdt that kept the quest from progressing.

Fixed an issue with the Grey Sleeper questline that would cause it fail after completing it.

Fixed multiple issues with the "Sacrificial Bloodlines" quest.

Fixed an issue that would break game progression after talking to Maerwald.

Fixed an issue that didn't allow the player to complete the game after killing Thaos.

 

Achievement

 

Fixed an issue with the Herald of the Old Flame achievement being awarded prematurely.

Fixed an issue that kept players from receiving White March Part 1 achievements.

 

Items

 

Fixed an issue that caused enchants to be removed when a character retrained.

Fixed an issue that allowed Sentinel's Girdle to be equipped in a ring slot.

Fixed enchantment issues with Badgradr's Barricade.

Fixed an issue where the draining modification on weapons would disappear.

Fixed an issue that caused Sabra Marie to be mis-categorized.

 

Localization

 

Fixed multiple issues with Korean text.

 

 

 

Obsidian also provided an update on The White March, Part II, with work currently underway on it. No exact ETA or anything, but there was some art shared.

 

 

 

 

 

And then tomorrow and Saturday, if you turn on Big Head Mode while playing, your head may turn into a pumpkin.

 

 

[bp9801]

The White March - Part II is scheduled to arrive early next year, before the end of January, actually. No official date yet, but Obsidian will reveal that closer to launch.

[bp9801]

 

The White March - Part II has arrived, as has patch 3.0. Tons of new things, fixes, tweaks, and more in the patch, and even a Story Time mode so you can experience the story without having to build a party of death dealers.

[blacksails23]

Man, I can never find the time to tackle this game.