In the ever-innovating industry of video games, finding titles that stay true to their RPG roots while offering modern experiences can be a challenging quest. One game that has managed to balance RPG tradition and contemporary standards is Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Enhanced Edition, developed by Owlcat Games. Is Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Enhance Edition worth playing though?
It’s a faithful adaptation of the tabletop game, much like Baldur’s Gate 3, and it brings a whole new level of depth, accessible role-playing, combat mechanics, and more. Whether it’s worth your money and time (as it will be a heavy time-sink) is something we’ll explore. The bigger question is, will have time for this kind of journey?
It’s an Epic Tale
The game takes place in the troubled land of Mendev, a nation locked in an eternal struggle against the Worldwoundโa rift to the Abyss that spews forth demons. These conflicts, known as crusades, have been failing due to the demons’ ability to return to life in the Abyss.
As the player, you step into the role of a citizen of Mendev who discovers they possess mysterious “mythic powers” from an unknown source.
You are then promptly appointed as the Commander of the Fifth Crusade by Queen Galfrey and it’s your task to deploy armies against the demonic forces while seeking a way to close the Worldwound while also leading your own party.
The choices you make regarding your mythic powers, along with your selected “mythic path,” will shape your character’s abilities, leadership style, and personal fate. You can also opt to abandon your mythic powers, returning to a “Mortal Legend.”
A Sequel to Pathfinder: Kingmaker
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is actually a sequel.
It’s a follow-up to Pathfinder: Kingmaker, and while it uses the same engine, it doesn’t follow the same plot and narrative. So you won’t be missing much here. There are references to Kingmaker, but Wrath of the Righteous‘ overall story is rather independent.
It’s also a Companion-Based CRPG with Innovations
The companions in the game are equally compelling, as is the case for most CPRGs. Each comes with their own unique personality and storyline quest.
There are a bit over a dozen recruitable companions in the game though you can only bring five of them at a time to your party. The character quests delve into their backstories, providing additional depth to their development.
However, what truly distinguishes Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is its Mythic Path system. The path you choose significantly influences the story and gameplay. With options ranging from Angel and Demon paths to Gold Dragon, Lich, Legend, and Devil paths, your selection opens up diverse dialogue options and unlocks unique skills that add depth to your experience.
Certain Mythic Paths can even compel companions to join or leave you. Likewise, in-game events also depend on your choice for Mythic Paths. It’s one of the few RPGs and video games out there where you can truly embark on an evil path and kill everyone (several evil paths, actually).
Deep Character Customization and Accessibility
At the start of the adventure, players can either create their own Crusader or choose from pre-generated characters. The wealth of customization options can be dizzying, offering a wide array of classes and archetypes not found in similar games.
Even newcomers to the Pathfinder system will find the game accessible, thanks to guidance and recommended build options that streamline character development. It’s still not the best example of user-friendliness in a CPRG, mind you.
Still, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous was designed with newcomers in mind. It offers contextual tutorials to explain new gameplay mechanics, aiding players in understanding the game’s intricacies, some of them anyway. It even features an automatic level-up option that is perfect for those unfamiliar with character building, and you can easily toggle it on and off.
Switch Between Turn-Based Combat and Real-Time Battles
One standout feature is the option to switch between real-time combat with pause and turn-based tactical combat. The latter provides players with more control over their characters, making battles more engaging. While real-time combat can become chaotic, especially for newcomers, the turn-based option helps streamline the experience.
In addition to personal battles, you’ll find yourself leading armies into tactical battles and managing cities as part of the Crusade gameplay mechanics. The depth of these mechanics is overwhelming, however, and your choices, along with your chosen Mythic Path, will impact the Crusade gameplay.
You can opt to automate the management and Crusade mechanics, thankfully.
Accessibility Across a Range of Systems
One noteworthy aspect is the game’s performance. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is undemanding in terms of system requirements, making it playable on a wide range of computers. Even older systems should handle the game comfortably, thanks to thoughtful optimization by the developers.
Here are the platforms on which you can play the game:
- macOS
- Microsoft Windows
- Nintendo Switch (cloud)
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Enhanced Edition stands as a testament to Owlcat Games’ dedication to creating an epic RPG experience.
It improves upon its predecessor in almost every aspect that you’re fine with not playing the predecessor. The game’s depth may seem intimidating at first, but it provides an engaging narrative and deep gameplay mechanics that will keep you engaged if you give it time to sink in. Whether you’re a seasoned RPG player or a newcomer, the journey through Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is undoubtedly worth your time.
So, is Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Enhanced Edition worth playing? The answer is a resounding yes, as it offers an immersive world, engaging storytelling, and a depth of gameplay that keeps you entertained for hours on end.
It’s even a better dish if you came fresh from Baldur’s Gate 3 and are looking for more CRPGs based on tabletop RPGs, particularly those with more narrative and meta-choices for gameplay.