A Decade Later, Obsidian Teaches a Classic New Tricks with a Surprise Turn-Based Mode for Pillars of Eternity
2025-11-04
In an industry where the lifecycle of a single-player game is often measured in months, not years, Obsidian Entertainment is making an extraordinary move. The studio has announced a significant, unexpected update for a title many considered complete. Nearly a decade after its celebrated 2015 release, the classic CRPG Pillars of Eternity is receiving an official, developer-backed turn-based combat mode. Timed to celebrate the game's upcoming 10th anniversary, the update is a direct answer to years of fan requests and a powerful statement of continued support for a foundational title of the modern RPG renaissance PC Gamer.
While the concept isn't new to the franchise, its implementation in the original game is a genuine surprise. The turn-based system was a popular, officially patched-in addition to the game's sequel, Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, where it was praised for offering a more tactical and methodical pacing to the complex combat encounters. Its success left a significant portion of the player base wishing they could experience the original saga with the same deliberate strategy. That long-standing wish is now being granted, sparking widespread excitement and praise across the RPG community. For veterans, it’s a compelling reason to revisit the world of Eora; for newcomers, it's an entirely new way to experience a classic for the first time GameSpot.
This ambitious undertaking is being helmed by a small, dedicated team at Obsidian, led by none other than original Game Director Josh Sawyer. His involvement lends significant weight to the project, reassuring fans that the update is in capable hands. In a characteristically candid reveal, Sawyer acknowledged the surprise nature of the project while giving fans the first concrete details. "The 10th anniversary of Pillars of Eternity is fast approaching, and we are working on a little surprise for it," he stated. "Well, it was a surprise until now... Patch 3.08 will be an experimental beta for an official turn-based mode" IGN.
Players on PC eager to test the new system won't have to wait long, as it will initially roll out as a public beta via the experimental patch. Upon starting a new campaign, players will be presented with a clear choice between the classic "Real-Time with Pause" system and the new "Turn-Based (Beta)" mode. According to Obsidian, this decision is locked in for the duration of that playthrough, meaning a mid-campaign switch between the fundamentally different combat styles won't be possible. This approach ensures that the game's pacing and encounter balancing remain consistent within a single save file PC Gamer.
Sawyer was also careful to manage expectations, clarifying the inherent challenges of retrofitting a major system into a finished product. He drew a sharp contrast with the sequel's development, explaining, "Unlike the Deadfire turn-based mode, which was developed in the middle of production, this version of turn-based was developed by a very small team and on a finished game." This context is crucial. "That means we have to be more constrained in the scope of our work," he added PC Gamer. While the full extent of the mechanical adjustments remains to be seen in the beta, this transparency sets a realistic tone. What is certain is that one of the last decade's most revered RPGs is making an unexpected and welcome comeback, offering players an entirely new lens through which to experience its epic tale.