"Pillars of Eternity" Receives Polishing Update Ahead of "Avowed" Release

Nearly a decade after its original release, Obsidian Entertainment's cherished CRPG, "Pillars of Eternity," has welcomed a surprise patch dedicated to ironing out lingering glitches rather than introducing new content. Launched in an era when classic RPGs were scarce, "Pillars of Eternity" heralded a resurgence in the genre, drawing inspiration from timeless favorites like "Baldur's Gate" and "Icewind Dale." The game's compelling storytelling and intricate gameplay earned it critical acclaim and a pivotal role in revitalizing the CRPG scene, leading to the success of titles such as "Disco Elysium" and "Baldur's Gate 3."

The recent update, which rests in the beta branch on Steam, has been outlined in full by Obsidian on their official forum. This patch has been meticulously crafted to squash a variety of bugs impacting visuals, sound, and the user interface. Not just that, Obsidian has taken the opportunity to upgrade "Pillars of Eternity's" backbone to a newer version of the Unity game engine.

Amidst the buzz stirred by the unexpected patch, there's growing speculation that Obsidian is refining its renowned classic in response to the smashing success of "Baldur's Gate 3." The acclaim garnered by this title has shone a bright spotlight on CRPGs, sparking renewed interest in the genre.

As Obsidian shifts gears to focus on the anticipated "Avowed," an action RPG set in the same beloved universe as "Pillars of Eternity," the update could also be part of a wider strategy to prepare new fans for the transition. "Avowed" promises a novel approach with a first-person perspective, a departure from the isometric view players are accustomed to in "Pillars of Eternity." Given the first glimpse of gameplay in 2023, this looms as a fresh chapter for enthusiasts of the Eora setting.

Hence, it's conceivable that Obsidian is fine-tuning the gameplay of its preceding titles for fans eagerly awaiting "Avowed," ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for those choosing to delve into "Pillars of Eternity" and its sequel beforehand.

Diving into "Pillars of Eternity's" Recent Patch Highlights

General:

- Unity game engine updated to version 2019.4.11.

Navigation:

- Enhanced navigation across various scenes.
- Correction to water traversability in Cayron's Scar when submerged.

Visual and Audio:

- T-Posing characters at the start of cutscenes have been addressed.
- Improvement of character appearance clarity in creation and inventory screens.
- Ensured consistent visual effects for the Overwhelming Wave.
- Fixed VFX connection issues with spells like Woodskin.
- Activation of symbols in Lle a Rhemen now correctly symbolized.
- Diminished audio redundancies post-battle in Yenwood.
- Multiple voice lines for a singular action on locked containers are resolved.
- Dialogue audio and overlapping barked lines have been tuned for consistent delivery.

Quests and Dialogue:

- The "Ready the Cannons" questline now follows the correct objective progression.
- The "Buried Secrets" quest dialogue has been altered to prevent repeated payment demands.

Combat and Mechanics:

- Fix Earth Blights' selection circle discrepancies when dominated.
- Scrolls have been modified to match spell behaviors more closely.
- Addressed some AI confusion arising from the use of the Halt spell.
- Removal of an untargetable Xaurip spawn in Dyrford Crossing.

User Interface and Interaction:

- Various UI improvements, including chant display and damage type icon positioning.
- Revision of difficult-to-interact doors to ensure better reliability.
- More responsive skipping of intros during client startup.

Obsidian's efforts in releasing this patch hint at a continued respect for its earlier works and a commitment to providing gamers with a polished adventure at every turn within the "Pillars of Eternity" universe. As the gaming community gears up for "Avowed," it is a testament to Obsidian's dedication to quality and player satisfaction.