Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire

I didn't like the second game at all, just like I didn't like the first game. The gameplay of Pillars of Eternity's series feels very dated to me. While the first game tried to copy Baldur's Gate, the second game tried to copy Divinity Original Sin. Again, the game doesn't feel original at all and the story is very confusing. The story takes itself too seriously and bores with unnecessary details. The turn-based mode doesn't work well and the real-time combat is a horrible mess. There are some improvements over the first game but not enough. I wish they had continued with Tyranny instead of this series, it had so much more potential. The Pillars of Eternity series is just a collection of ideas from all the old RPGs in a similar genre with mediocre gameplay that never feels original and they're no fun.

Continues the rich lore of its predecessor, with new factions (and layers of politics within), new scenery, new exploration mechanic, further refined combat mechanics, and most interestingly: customizable automation.

Automation alone is reason enough to try this game as it advances the art of game design (or at least picks-up where 90's golden-age ended), and you can design it to your advantage with certain classes.

The sailing mechanic was much criticized as boring, but I found it to be rewarding experience that was appropriate for the theme & setting. It was also a blast exploring the many different islands and their mysteries & adventures, like episodes of a tv series.

The setting is analogous with colonial pacific/caribbean Earth, with many of the themes being explored in a refreshingly honest way - for example it depicts islanders with their vicious caste system & strict religious proscriptions failing to adapt & exploit opportunities presented by less constrained outsiders.

The player has plenty of choice in how they deal with conflicts, with some long term consequences. Each faction has its pros and cons, and they usually have sub-factions and schisms that the player can influence.

Unfortunately there are no truly good factions, nor is there the option to join any natural factions. You can however become a faithful servant of master Nemnok :) Main story was also disappointing, as the mystery was already revealed in the previous title. Here Aeothas inevitably does his thing, with plenty of elaboration/argument along the way.

Can't say much about companion dialogue as I chose the worst starting options (everyone died or left) then hired mercs.

Stats, class and background have effects throughout the game, often altering the outcome of challenges, for example in one scenario you can, with enough INT, amicably resolve an argument with a goldpact knight after noticing how he pours his drinks. With the right build its possible to do a (mostly) pacifist solo run.

Stealth and stealing mechanic is excellent, relying as much on timing as on stats.

Combat is challenging in a good way, with less dependence on the RNG. Kiting is too easily exploited however, even in small areas.

Class balance is quite good, as with its predecessor, and more classes can solo without too much exploitation.

Music is highly memorable, especially in the tavern. Different factions also have distinct themes.

Game ran OK on Linux (thanks to GoG), with slight lag in the main city (on a RTX3080).

I played the first game for approximately 10 hours, hoping that it would eventually hook me, because I have always loved Obsidian games. But everything looked so bland, typical and uninteresting. Nothing caught my attention. The setting, level design, lore - everything felt not that particularly engaging.

Then I decided to give the second part a chance, because I heard massive praise from a friend who was also dissatisfied with the first part. Just like my friend, I was pleasantly surprised.

Perhaps the main reason is that I really like the setting of the second part. I was so tired of endless fantasy RPGs with the overused aesthetics of medieval Europe, that such a naval setting with the spirit of filibusters and a bit of Polynesian/Maori-esque culture almost immediately sunk into my soul and interested me in a full-fledged exploration of these seas. It's been a long time since I've seen such a refreshingly original setting for a fantasy RPG.

I also liked the plot and characters. The main plot conflict was especially intense, raising the questions of true significance of godly deities in human life and true value of faith.