Pathfinder: Kingmaker Reviews
There was a lot of potential in Kingmaker, but also a lot of wasted potential. The developers might still be able to salvage this potential if they listen to criticism and are willing to overhaul the game in every possible way.
In Pathfinder: Kingmaker, you can see the footprints of many great names in the video games industry, but it seems that the main development team was neither able nor experienced enough to execute the game's ideas and potentials in a right way, and even if you don't take its many technical issues into consideration, Pathfinder: Kingmaker is still far from a proper CRPG.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Pathfinder Kingmaker isn’t for everyone, and that shows. The complex and deep RPG mechanics mimic those of pen and paper RPGs of old, and the lack of meaningful direction the game gives new players can be off-putting. But if you are familiar with the genre or are willing to put in the time to truly learn this game, it can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Just bear in mind that it’s hard to recommend to console players in its current state.
A new contender into the ring of cRPGs, Pathfinder fails to make as much of a dent as other recent titles have, and feels constricted by it's tabletop ruleset.
A huge, imaginative CRPG that could have stood toe to toe with the genre's best, but instead finds itself crudely stapled together, clearly not ready to be released.
The case in favor of Pathfinder: Kingmaker comes with an overwhelming series of excuses. Epic quest lines exist, but a boring second act hampers them.
By committing to the systems it draws its name from, Kingmaker creates a deeply comprehensive and satisfying CRPG that is also incredibly lonely and masochistic when it wants to be.
Pathfinder: Kingmaker is a classical RPG brought to PC with some exceptional moments, though it's dragged down by a brutal difficulty curve.
Pathfinder: Kingmaker sets up an epic story, expansive world, difficult combat, and lively characters, but all these elements eventually become tiresome. Its unforgiving difficulty and strict adherence to Pathfinder tabletop rules will likely turn away more players than it attracts, and while its kingdom management sim sets it apart from similar RPGs, no part of the game ever feels wholly original. Despite boldly putting players in the role of a king or queen, it never engages enough with the consequences of your decisions, or whether you have the right to make them at all.
Although inspired in its kingdom management system, Pathfinder: Kingmaker ultimately fails to innovate in any of its presented gameplay functions. Lacking in writing,combat, and even fun, a game that had potential to change things up just becomes a disappointment.
The sword of authenticity cuts both ways for Pathfinder: Kingmaker.
All in all Pathfinder: Kingmaker can be introduced as an average game for fans of Pathfinder tabletop games. a title that suffers strongly from bugs and technical issues and because of unbalanced abilities of playable characters, poor environment design, repetitive strategic aspect of the gameplay and it's undue difficulty, has turned into a disappointing game that can only be good for those who tolerate its first 10 hours.
Review in Persian | Read full review
A good RPG with some unique ideas, but one that ultimately plays it too safe to really stand out from the crowd.
There is no denying it, this is a tough nut to crack. But with effort comes reward! For all its intricacies and quirks, you’ll find yourself with a fantastically challenging experience. It does enough to compare it fondly to it its peer group, but its list of bugs and high difficulty keeps it from excelling. Do I recommend it? I do! If you wish to try this massive RPG for yourself, then buy it here! Choose your path, influence your people, and explore the world. 100+ hours of gameplay await you in this D&D inspired title.
Pathfinder: Kingmaker is a solid, but flawed, pen-and-paper RPG in video game form. If you are a fan of isometric RPGs or Pathfinder, you will find a lot to like here.
What's so sad about Pathfinder: Kingmaker is that the combat, spells, classes, and actual gameplay are all so solid, but everything else is mired in poor planning and design.
A lack of balanced difficulty and explanation of core concepts set alongside too many time consuming, anachronistic design choices distract from Pathfinder: Kingmaker's nuanced story telling, moral dilemmas and enjoyable decision making.
Pathfinder: Kingmaker is a product with some issues, some flaws, some grit. But the developers use it to channel their love for classic RPGs. This game is pure nostalgia trip, and a very graceful one at that. The devs clearly adore this genre and so may you, if you give Pathfinder a chance.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Classic, intense, fun but also a little "oldie", that the way Pathfinder: Kingmaker works. A great option for RPG fans that focuses on the fans of the old style.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Pathfinder: Kingmaker is a huge game. The depths of its mechanics seem to have no limit while the time spent playing it is equally eternal. With complex rules and stripped back tutorials, though, it is not an easy game to jump into to say the least.