Parents' Guide to

Pillars of Eternity

By David Chapman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Captivating adventure rich with details, lore, action.

Game Linux, Mac, Windows 2015
Pillars of Eternity Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • Pillars of Eternity Game: Screenshot #1
  • Pillars of Eternity Game: Screenshot #2
  • Pillars of Eternity Game: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

See all
age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

velvalee
velvalee Adult
January 9, 2022
age 13+

This is a book.

"You see a pennant waving tall and sluggish in the wind, a rising sun embroidered on the banner, the vanguard of a small troop of paladins. The atmosphere is buoyant, if restrained, and their armour has not yet been tarnished by the elements - this expedition is fresh, young, filled with zest and zeal." This is a fantasy novel wrapped in a game. The novel is dark, complex, and dense. Most teens (and most adults) would not have the patience to wade through the prose. If they do have that much patience, then this game would be good for them. There's a bunch of swearing, some gore, and a bit of sexual innuendo, but not a lot. And for that you get something a whole lot richer than your average YA novel, and certainly a lot better than your average video-game experience.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 1 parent review

What’s It About?

Pillars of Eternity is an original fantasy developed by the talent behind classic RPG franchises such as Baldur's Gate and Fallout. The central plot of the adventure involves the player's character traveling as a part of a caravan to start a new life in a new land. After stumbling into a supernatural ritual, the player's soul becomes "awakened," granting unique abilities and detriments. These powers must be used to help stop a rising evil responsible for blight that's stealing the souls of children. Throughout the game, the player and gained allies also will become involved in numerous side quests, which expand on the story and the setting of the game.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Pillars of Eternity is a near-perfect homage to classic computer role-playing games, avoiding things such as cinematic cut scenes and celebrity voice-overs in favor of an engaging story that unfolds in a carefully crafted world. Nearly every character, creature, and item is described down to the smallest detail via text, allowing the player to discover nuances such as body language, motivation, and lore. Although reading does take up a good portion of the game's more than 70 hours, it always adds to the overall experience.

If there's one drawback to Pillars of Eternity, it's that there sometimes feels like too much is crammed into the game. Add together the various races, classes, subclasses, weapons, and skills, with multiple gameplay paths, recruitable dialogue options, branching quest lines, and even a personal stronghold to manage and upgrade, and the game's reliance on micromanagement can feel overwhelming to those new to the genre. Still, Pillars of Eternity manages to raise the bar and sets a new benchmark for what a role-playing game should be.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can discuss how it's sometimes possible to use critical thinking and conversation to diffuse potential combat. Is it possible to use your words to avoid a conflict?

  • Discuss how a diverse group can come together to accomplish higher goals. How can people of different backgrounds and races benefit from a sharing of knowledge and skills? How can this positive use of diversity translate from a fantasy setting to the real world?

Game Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended game lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate