Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 15,141 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • stability
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Game Cover
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is a triumph of a game, and arguably the best isometric RPG since Planescape Torment.
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In "Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition," players embark on an epic RPG journey to a realms overrun by demons. Assemble a party of unique characters, make strategic decisions, and engage in challenging tactical combat to defeat the demonic forces and save the world from eternal darkness. This enhanced edition offers improved visuals, additional content, and quality of life improvements for a richer and more engaging experience.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 15,141 reviews
story2,609 positive mentions
stability781 negative mentions
  • story6,686 mentions

    The story in "Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous" is generally praised for its depth, complexity, and engaging narrative, with many players appreciating the variety of mythic paths that significantly alter the storyline and character interactions. While some find the overarching plot to be somewhat generic, the individual character arcs and side quests are often highlighted as compelling and well-written, contributing to a rich and immersive experience. However, the game is also criticized for pacing issues, bugs, and a sometimes convoluted quest system that can detract from the overall enjoyment of the story.

    • “The story told drives you through the gameplay loop, and you can choose to experience many such loops, depending on how many of the detailed minutiae of the world you wish to uncover in one playthrough.”
    • “The story is excellent, the companions are great, the romances are (mostly) good, and the amount of content is excellent.”
    • “The story, centering around the fight against the demonic forces of the Worldwound, is engaging and packed with moral choices that make each decision feel weighty and impactful.”
    • “The story feels like a vehicle for producing the combat gameplay and dungeon crawling.”
    • “The story is both deep and long, the mechanics are rewarding, the romance I did was phenomenal, and the endgame was pure power fantasy.”
    • “The story is juvenile, predictable, and lacks any sort of 'hard' choices, making it a pretty basic 'chosen one' storyline overall.”
  • gameplay2,691 mentions

    The gameplay of "Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous" is characterized by its complex mechanics and deep character customization, appealing primarily to fans of tabletop RPGs. While many players appreciate the intricate systems and mythic paths that enhance replayability, the game is often criticized for its tedious crusade mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the steep learning curve and numerous bugs can frustrate newcomers, making it essential for players to familiarize themselves with the mechanics to fully enjoy the game.

    • “The gameplay is solid, based on the Pathfinder 1e ruleset, and if you have played that TTRPG, you will understand the mechanics of this game very well.”
    • “The mythic paths offer different gameplay adjustments, plot choices, and flavor, adding a great deal of variety to each playthrough.”
    • “The gameplay is complex and there are some difficulty spikes that can be irritating, but once you start understanding the mechanics and dynamics of the game, it becomes a complete slog.”
    • “Seemed like it might be fun enough, until the crusade part started... wow it's baaaaaaaaaaad.... it's like the most basic gameplay ever, tedious, no variation at all, and it takes forever, and even on the 'story difficulty', the game will brutalize you in the first part; and you have no story option to avoid the trash part of the game, it's railroaded and forced.”
    • “Wrath of the Righteous is a well-written story trapped inside a painfully outdated and primitive gameplay system.”
    • “The gameplay is overly complicated for the average gamer... you get six people in your party, each with like 20 different skills, and 100+ usable inventory items.”
  • stability815 mentions

    The stability of the game has been a significant concern among users, with many describing it as "incredibly buggy" and "a buggy mess," even years after its release. While some players noted improvements due to patches, they still encountered numerous glitches, game-breaking bugs, and performance issues, particularly in later acts. Overall, the game's technical state remains a major drawback, overshadowing its otherwise engaging gameplay and story.

    • “Overall, an epic, amazing, and surprisingly bug-free game for how complex it is.”
    • “While I'm not done with my first playthrough yet, I've been largely bug-free with nothing game-breaking so far.”
    • “The first 40 hours or so are remarkably bug-free.”
    • “A pretty good RPG, but even 3 years after its release, this game is incredibly buggy and in an overall tragic technical state (like many Unity games) as the performance is also really bad given how the game looks.”
    • “The game has been and still is a buggy mess and the developers have decided to spend their time figuring out how to harvest and monetize player data instead of fixing these bugs.”
    • “This game is a broken, bug-ridden mess that runs like crap on a good system.”
  • graphics717 mentions

    The graphics of "Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting improvements over its predecessor, "Kingmaker," particularly in environmental design and spell effects. While some praise the vibrant art style and detailed animations, others criticize the character models and overall graphical fidelity, suggesting they fall short compared to contemporary titles like "Baldur's Gate 3." Performance issues, including lag and graphical glitches, have also been reported, impacting the overall experience for some players.

    • “The graphics, mood, and atmosphere have been given a good vitamin boost since Kingmaker, which explains why Owlcat is shifting to Unreal 5 for future games.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, and the sound design is top-notch.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the story is interesting, and the companions are likable, the voice acting top-notch.”
    • “The graphics are bottom tier and a throwback to the early 2000s at best.”
    • “For a game that was supposedly released in 2021, the graphics are sub-par and could be in the class with the original Baldur's Gate, but not a deal breaker...”
    • “The game's graphics compare with those of Expeditions: Rome; coming from playing Baldur's Gate 3, they feel like taking a step back in time.”
  • replayability586 mentions

    The game boasts exceptionally high replayability, primarily due to its extensive character customization options, numerous mythic paths, and branching storylines that significantly alter gameplay experiences. Players can explore a vast array of builds and choices, leading to unique interactions and outcomes in each playthrough, making it a compelling choice for fans of CRPGs. While the game is lengthy, with playthroughs often exceeding 100 hours, the depth and variety ensure that many players are eager to return for multiple runs.

    • “The game has excellent storytelling, plenty of impactful decisions, and a wide range of builds to choose from; very high replayability value.”
    • “The mythic paths alone allow for a mass of replayability.”
    • “With hundreds of different character build combinations possible, this game has endless replayability and there is something to accommodate every playstyle.”
    • “The experience is only marred by the bizarre inclusion of the crusade system, which hurts the game's replayability and makes use of mods pretty much mandatory.”
    • “The game offers a lot of replayability through the different mythic paths and their respective content, but with a lack of new game plus options (carry over money and items at least), I wouldn’t be incentivized to play over a hundred hours of this game again.”
    • “Although there is tremendous replayability, unlikely, just because it's too time-consuming.”
  • music561 mentions

    The music in "Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous" has received widespread acclaim for its epic and immersive quality, with many reviewers highlighting the standout tracks associated with mythic paths and key moments in the game. While some players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over long play sessions, the overall composition and thematic relevance of the music were praised as enhancing the game's atmosphere and emotional impact. Many consider the soundtrack to be one of the best in recent RPGs, contributing significantly to the game's storytelling and player experience.

    • “The soundtrack is absolutely mind-blowing and the music really does match the moment extremely well in places like first mythic powers or leper's canyon.”
    • “The music is fantastic, the writing and characters are exceptional, and while the difficulty can spike in areas, every challenge has an appropriate solution.”
    • “The music is so masterfully done and matches what's happening so well it forces the immersion on you and you feel like the knight commander of the 5th crusade.”
    • “I immediately turned off voice acting and music in this as both were shrill and bombastic to the degree that simply turning the volume down wasn't enough.”
    • “The music is so un-melodic and blandly neuvaux-thematic I can barely get the tastelessness out of my mouth.”
    • “The music is repetitive (turned it off after 10+ hours as it is on loops).”
  • grinding459 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in relation to the crusade management system and combat encounters. While some appreciate the depth and complexity of character optimization and the strategic elements, others feel that the constant need for buffs, frequent random encounters, and lengthy battles detract from the overall enjoyment, making the experience feel like a grind rather than a rewarding challenge. Overall, players suggest that those who dislike grinding or tedious mechanics may want to approach the game with caution or consider using mods to alleviate some of the more burdensome aspects.

    • “But mercenaries are way too expensive, and it is going to be extremely hard to have a team full of your own characters before Act 3 or 4 without farming.”
    • “The game is filled with tedious routine, but thankfully you can fix it with mods.”
    • “The story seems pretty cool, but the amount of grinding I have to do in between anything of plot relevance is way too high for my liking.”
    • “The crusade management game is tedious and the developers know it; the entire system can be skipped or reduced to 'story' independent from the main game’s difficulty.”
  • optimization352 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, particularly in later acts, where frame rates can drop dramatically. While some improvements have been noted since release, the game remains plagued by bugs, memory leaks, and inconsistent performance across different hardware setups, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Overall, despite its engaging gameplay and story, the lack of proper optimization detracts from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Very complicated, at some times, very, very difficult, but the optimization and general build-crafting is intensely satisfying.”
    • “For those deep diving, I think you'll find a lot of satisfaction in the customization and optimization available to your party.”
    • “Supurb story, stellar soundtrack, fun gameplay (if you like the incredible optimization-fest that is Pathfinder), visceral combat... it's everything I could have wanted in an epic D&D CRPG.”
    • “The game is still buggy and optimization is bad in certain parts of the game (act 4 mostly).”
    • “This game is beyond a doubt the single most badly optimized experience I have had in gaming.”
    • “The performance is hilariously poor.”
  • humor154 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the witty banter among party members and the clever writing that balances dark themes with lighthearted moments. While some find the comedic elements genuinely funny and engaging, others criticize the humor for being forced or cringeworthy, particularly in certain character interactions and dialogue choices. Overall, the game offers a variety of humorous experiences, from amusing character quirks to unexpected comedic situations, though opinions on its effectiveness vary widely.

    • “The game's humorous and ironic moments add an extra layer of fun to the gameplay.”
    • “The writing makes the grand moments grand, the humorous moments lighthearted and humorous, and you can really feel the care that went into fully realizing the world and setting.”
    • “I genuinely found myself smiling, laughing, or saying 'oh shit' for a good portion of my adventure.”
    • “The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
    • “I found the jokes to be unoriginal and lacking in wit.”
    • “The attempts at humor often miss the mark and feel awkward.”
  • character development110 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and variety, offering players numerous options that enhance both gameplay and storytelling. While many reviewers appreciate the intricate systems and meaningful choices, some criticize the overwhelming complexity and occasional lack of organic growth in character arcs. Overall, the game is recognized for its ambitious character design and the significant impact of player decisions on the narrative.

    • “Incredible game with a rich story, really meaningful choices with impact and so much character design choice.”
    • “The mythic paths in this game create a new and amazing layer to character development and story progression.”
    • “The possibilities for character development are enormous.”
    • “Dialogue and character development are, at times, unrealistic, immature, and frankly, boring.”
    • “Many of the characters, scenarios, and character development options are still largely uninspired, and play like a fresh DM's first high-power campaign.”
    • “Character development is boring and uninteresting - yes, you can make a million decisions but you hardly see any difference.”
  • emotional68 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its well-crafted character relationships and impactful storylines, which evoke a range of feelings from joy to sadness. Players express deep emotional investment in the characters, particularly in romantic subplots and companion quests, often leading to moments of genuine connection and fulfillment. However, some reviewers note that the game's pacing and certain design choices can detract from the overall emotional experience, leaving them feeling disconnected at times.

    • “The romance between Irabeth and Anevia felt so genuine, and I felt emotionally committed to ensuring that both of them lived through to the end.”
    • “Building relationships and making tough decisions alongside my companions added a layer of emotional depth to the game that left a lasting impression.”
    • “This game has sent me on an emotional rollercoaster with companion quests, made me laugh out loud at meta jokes that fit perfectly into the game, and it has challenged me to actually make tactical use of abilities.”
    • “The tedium of a very boring story, far too much fighting and awful level design makes Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous without a doubt one of the worst CRPGs I have ever played, which is granted not an exhaustive list, but it remains the absolute bottom of that barrel.”
    • “Boring story filled with too many teammates similar to annoying undergrads.”
    • “Boring story.”
  • atmosphere62 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the detailed environments, atmospheric music, and vibrant graphics that enhance the overall experience. While some critiques mention inconsistencies in writing and voice acting, the game's ability to evoke a sense of urgency and emotional depth through its world-building and character interactions is frequently noted as a standout feature. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and integral to the game's appeal, successfully channeling the essence of classic tabletop RPGs.

    • “The world of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is beautifully crafted, with detailed environments, atmospheric music, and well-designed dungeons to explore.”
    • “Colorful graphics and a great soundtrack perfectly convey the atmosphere of the game and add a special charm to it.”
    • “The attention to detail in the depiction of architecture, costumes, and atmospheric effects showcases the mastery of the digital brush, drawing the observer deeper into the visual realm.”
    • “The writing is terrible in all these games and the atmosphere is non-existent.”
    • “It lacks a solid base in classic AD&D atmospheres, the things that made BG1 and BG2 legendary.”
    • “- gloomy, depressing atmosphere.”
  • monetization19 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism for its invasive tracking practices, including the collection of location data and user actions for advertising purposes without an opt-out option. Players feel that the introduction of microtransactions and poorly received DLCs reflects a cash grab mentality, detracting from the overall gaming experience and leaving unresolved bugs in the base game. Many reviewers express disappointment, likening the game's monetization approach to that of companies known for prioritizing profit over player satisfaction.

    • “Microtransactions are well-balanced and don't feel intrusive.”
    • “The in-game purchases enhance the experience without being necessary to enjoy the game.”
    • “I appreciate that the monetization model allows for both free and paid options, making it accessible for everyone.”
    • “However, telemetry related to advertising and marketing, especially when you force an agreement of the sale to third parties, is not.”
    • “Almost two years after the release they've updated their EULA and decided to add tracking ('for advertisement purposes') without an in-game option to opt-out of it.”
    • “This software tracks user actions on their computer outside of the confines of the game, tracking advertisement interaction along with other user actions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

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Play time

120hMedian play time
187hAverage play time
50-300hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 198 analyzed playthroughs

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