Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire improves upon the Pillars of Eternity formula in nearly every way, creating an RPG loaded with both strong combat and important, character-defining choices that frequently have an impact on your numerous and deep side-story adventures.

Ship management and naval battles fit neatly into the dark fantasy setting of Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire.

Layers of rum-and-sunshine soaked RPG adventuring to lose yourself in. Does it really matter it doesn't quite tie together in the end?

A massive, bountiful RPG with richly descriptive writing, a well-realised setting, and deep tactical combat.

A richly imagined seafaring setting lends novelty to what is ultimately an evolved iteration of very traditional isometric RPG fun

The fights are less fearsome, but if you liked Baldur's Gate or Planescape: Torment you'll enjoy this retro role-playing game

As it is, despite having spent dozens of hours playing this, I've always felt at arm's length.

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, within the first couple of hours, contains the phrase "Cannon-fucking your boat to sodden splinters." Pirates might not make everything better – you wouldn't invite them to a booze-free wedding – but they've done wonders in Obsidian's RPG sequel.

Pillars of Eternity II could've been brilliant were it more focused. It has a lot of good ingredients—scraps of interesting narrative, clever characterizations, a complex faction system, and pirate-themed spins on the RPG tropes of yore. The game's got so much unfulfilled promise that, even though I think it's a plenty enjoyable game on the whole, I can't help but feel disappointed by it.

With clever gameplay refinements, strong mechanics, and a smartly integrated narrative, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is one of the genre's best.