I've played through this game twice since I've purchased it. Once when it first came out, and another time just recently. This game is a mess. It should have a Wikipedia link in game because you're going to spend a lot of time googling. And don't even try googling. The wiki is trash. It doesn't give much info at all. The whole game is ridiculously difficult just to be difficult. Strategy doesn't really matter. Dice rolls must be bugged.

The kingdom management is just unfun. It doesn't make sense, there's no tutorial about it. I'd recommend turning it off the first time you play. I was really hyped for this game when it first came out, and the second time through was just constant frustration. It's a timelocked game. You will get a game over screen if your kingdom dies. Play Tyranny or BG2/BG3 instead.

A clunky, boring turd of a game with convoluted rules, tedious, repetitive encounters, fugly design and largely unlikable companions. I don't care how loyal it is to tabletop or whatever. It's just not fun in any aspect, especially considering how long it drags on. By far the worst CRPG I have ever played

I'm not stranger to difficult games.

So this game's not about skill issue. Its about knowledge issue. If you're unfamiliar with D&D intricacies, you NEED to read a guude. I have not.

So, so far, its been mostly suffering. Running after missions while my kingdom is crumbling, while trying to understand the combat sytem, while trying to remember everthing about my party and other secondary characters. Its overwhelming.

Unfortunately, the decs failed in two aspects :
- tutorial : there is one, but its so succinct... might as well not be there. You need to read guides, wiki, etc. Otherwise you'll be in hell, even on normal. Kingdom management is a pain when it could have been so much fun.
- Appeal : too many characters, very slow story, no real DM. Compared to similar games, lets say Divinity Original sin 2, it's a huge let down.

So there's not much to keep you going, and they barely bothered giving you a push to help it in a game that's vastly different to most video rpgs.

So ye, for some who are familiar with D&D it's a great great game.

For others, unless you're willing to invest a lot of time to understand how the game works and how D&D works, dont touch it.

Warning : game's a pain in the ass on steamdeck. You need to use the last proton experimental thingy. And even then it's janky.

Great DnD mechanics! Deep flavor with customization into classes, races, and skills. Combat system can be as simple or complex as you want it to be.

Buggy game made by Putin cronies.

This game was really fun at the beginning but my enjoyment fell right off of a cliff in the chapter for the House at the Edge of Time. This level was tedious, unintuitive and difficult to navigate even with a guide and youtube how-to videos. The kingdom building aspect gets tiresome about halfway through the game. I ran out of things to do in the world at one point and had to rest for two months to progress the plot. Some of the characters had fun stories to progress but the main story overstayed it's welcome for me.

such a grind, but such a worthwhile adventure. i didn't expect to see myself replaying this in the future, but i def will. righteous is next on my list, but i hope we keep getting pathfinder games by owlcat.

A Masterpiece Marred by Time Constraints, Pathfinder: Kingmaker is an undeniable masterpiece for fans of isometric RPGs. It boasts stunning graphics, a deep and intricate story that rivals tabletop campaigns, and an impressive level of player agency. The game's epic scope, rich lore, and complex RPG systems provide an unparalleled sense of immersion.

The story is truly impactful, with player choices significantly altering the narrative and the fate of your kingdom. The sheer depth of the game, with hundreds of hours of gameplay, is both a blessing and a curse. While the freedom and replayability are incredible, the sheer volume can be daunting and the timed missions can feel restrictive, forcing players to rush through content they'd rather savor.

The consequences of some decisions can feel somewhat arbitrary, not always aligning with intuitive player choices.

Despite these minor drawbacks, Pathfinder: Kingmaker is a must-play for RPG enthusiasts. Its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, delivering an unforgettable and deeply rewarding experience.

240 hours later, I'm content to put this game down, but the impact of its writing will forever be a part of my gaming experience. Goodbye Golarion.

Now to take on Pathfinder, Wrath of the Righteous later in the year

Great RPG

A good, but hard to recommend game .

Kingmaker is a CRPG that takes you from Level 1 to 20 in a adapted Pathfinder System, based on the original campaign/"adventure path" of the same name. It does a great job at setting the scene and delivering an interesting story. Exploring the map feels great, especially during the first chapter.
However being build around a calender system that balances the kingdom managment means that if you address the main quests too quickly you may see yourself with enough "down time" that the pacing feels slow.

The most divisive feature, kingdom managment, is also what makes it the most unique. But can be put to auto so as not to make you fail 60 hours in, as it can death spiral if you don't upgrade your advisors regularly, something you most likely won't know in your first run.

P.S.: The designer of the last dungeon deserves another hour on the rack.