Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Overall this game was a blast to play, but it had its moments of lulls.  I gave this a 73%.

When I was playing this, I was looking for something that would run on a MacBook Air M1, 2020; specifically because we were in the midst of winter power outages and I was looking for something to do to kill time.  As such, this was a bit clunky at max res, but it was gorgeous.   After a few hours of choppiness I decided to live the rest of the game at low resolution, which wasn’t a big deal because of how the game plays.  It is reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate and Arcanum, which is exactly the feel I was going for at the time.

When I was playing this, I was looking for something that would run on a MacBook Air M1, 2020; specifically because we were in the midst of winter power outages and I was looking for something to do to kill time.  As such, this was a bit clunky at max res, but it was gorgeous.   After a few hours of choppiness I decided to live the rest of the game at low resolution, which wasn’t a big deal because of how the game plays.  It is reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate and Arcanum, which is exactly the feel I was going for at the time.

Deadfire truly shines in its rich story and lore, setting it apart as a standout experience. Although the main storyline may seem relatively short, the depth of gameplay, immersive reading (lots of reading), narration (thank you Critical Role, and others I guess), and intricate (and not so intricate) side quests extend the journey; a quality I personally find enjoyable. Diving into a new world can be daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with the first Pillars of Eternity installment. While I consider myself well-versed in Zelda and Dungeons & Dragons, this was an entirely fresh adventure. Embracing this novelty, I bellyflopped into the game with enthusiasm, I actually sat down with my daughter and designed my Orlan Druid Muppet with her. Thinking back, A pivotal moment for me was when I found myself conversing with Eothas at the lighthouse. In that instance, I felt as if I were perched on his shoulder, like the Brownies from Willow, though the atmosphere was decidedly less comedic, which now makes me think, this game could have used more comedy.  There definitely were some Easter Eggs.  And one that I saw nobody point out, the Fortune Teller is straight out from the movie Big!

Discovering the captivating melodies of this game’s soundtrack was like stepping into an epic adventure. The orchestration complemented each thematic setting, immersing me deeper into the game’s world. From the exhilarating opening theme to the distinct tracks accompanying different locations, the music avoided the monotony often encountered in similar games.  There’s a track for the Brass Citadel, a track for Arkemyr, a track for nearly everything.

The soundtrack, a delightful addition to any Dungeons and Dragons session, is readily available on platforms like Amazon and YouTube Music, offering enthusiasts an easy way to enhance their gaming experience.

Beyond the music, the sound effects and ambient noises were satisfactory. From the expected menu clicks to the immersive sounds of fireballs and storms, the game’s audio design was meh; when I cast Aspect of Galawain I only got a minor blip, where’s my big RAWR. There was another annoyance, this a recurring one, one that disrupted the otherwise immersive experience: a character’s incessant incantation during spellcasting; she wouldn’t stop chanting “Hooochavahchaschashhhhaaa cvhaaah caaa”. Despite searching for a way to silence it, the source remained elusive. Nevertheless, with time, I learned to overlook this minor inconvenience and focus on the game’s overall enjoyment.

Oh, of course: More sea shanties!  Collectable sea shanties.  Take a page from Black Flag.

Playing this game on my MacBook M1, 2020, I expected smooth performance at full graphics, but my experience fell short. However, my goal was a legacy experience: something easy and portable. Despite this, performance was often clunky and slow, particularly during chaotic moments with multiple spells firing simultaneously. Surprisingly, battery life remained unaffected, with no noticeable drain or overheating, unlike what one might expect from more demanding games.

I want to replay this, definitely with a different class, and most definitely with a different play style.  Kill everything and be rude to everyone.  I am not ready to replay it right now, but I know because the graphics are intentionally dated, and the gameplay is intentionally dated, the game will be playable in another five years.

Not bad, play again, for sure, not now, but later.