Pentiment

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,924 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Pentiment Game Cover
Pentiment’s incredibly compelling characters, immersive ambience and impactful choice and consequence make it a masterfully crafted RPG. Josh Sawyer and the team at Obsidian have created a truly special game.
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"Pentiment is a single-player mystery platformer set in 16th century Bavaria, where you play as Andreas Maler, an illustrator investigating a series of murders with far-reaching consequences. With intriguing storytelling, good mechanics, compelling graphics, and wonderful music, each decision made will draw you closer to an underlying conspiracy, providing a wholesome story with good replayability and a dense atmosphere."

  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,924 reviews
story904 positive mentions
grinding40 negative mentions
  • Excellent art direction and unique graphical style that immerses players in a medieval setting.
  • Strong narrative with well-developed characters and meaningful choices that impact the story.
  • Rich historical context and attention to detail, making it educational and engaging for history enthusiasts.
  • Gameplay is primarily dialogue-driven with limited interactivity, which may not appeal to all players.
  • Pacing issues, particularly in Act 3, where the story feels drawn out and less engaging.
  • Some players may find the lack of a clear resolution to the murder mystery unsatisfying, as choices do not lead to a definitive outcome.
  • story2,060 mentions

    The story of "Pentiment" is a richly woven narrative set in a medieval Bavarian village, exploring themes of art, faith, and community over a span of decades. Players engage with a cast of deeply developed characters, making choices that influence personal relationships and minor plot details, though the overarching storyline remains largely fixed. The game is praised for its unique art style, immersive storytelling, and the emotional weight of its themes, making it a standout experience for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “Amazing game with a crazy story, deep characters, and twists that left me speechless.”
    • “The story is engaging and actually allows you to fail in certain ways if you're not paying attention, which is rare for story-driven games.”
    • “A sharp and layered interactive story with a myriad of choices that shape the world around the protagonist.”
    • “Unfortunately, as you progress through the story, you find out that it was always hopeless to find the actual killer on your own accord.”
    • “The story is long and meaningless, the dialogue is lifeless, the choices aren't cool, the pacing is just bad, and the themes are barely there.”
    • “Your choices don't matter at all and it has a linear outcome that railroads you into plot points.”
  • graphics765 mentions

    The graphics of *Pentiment* are widely praised for their unique art style, which draws inspiration from medieval manuscripts and illuminated texts, creating a visually stunning experience that enhances the game's historical narrative. Reviewers highlight the meticulous attention to detail in the artwork, character designs, and typography, which collectively immerse players in the 16th-century setting. Overall, the game's aesthetic is considered a significant strength, contributing to its charm and appeal, particularly for those interested in history and art.

    • “Pentiment has a unique art style inspired by medieval paintings and manuscript art that is not only gorgeous but also helps further draw you into the experience and aids in giving you a greater sense of what life might have been like back then and how people viewed the world.”
    • “The art style, inspired by medieval manuscripts, is breathtaking and perfectly complements the intricate storytelling.”
    • “The visuals are gorgeous -- it's designed to look like you are inside a late medieval/early modern work of art, and various characters are drawn in the style of medieval illuminated manuscripts or early modern woodcuts depending on their ages.”
    • “The ye olde art style doesn't look that thrilling in the pictures and loses its novelty after the first in-game hour, but the magic is in all the little details.”
    • “I personally found the game incredibly dull in all aspects except the art style.”
    • “While the game's artstyle and setting are something refreshing, the writing and 'choices matter' gameplay are not.”
  • gameplay385 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is primarily a simple point-and-click experience, heavily focused on dialogue and character interactions, with minimal mechanical complexity. While some players appreciate the narrative depth and character-driven choices, others find the gameplay tedious and lacking in meaningful engagement, often comparing it to a visual novel rather than a traditional game. Overall, the game excels in storytelling and atmosphere, but those seeking action or intricate gameplay mechanics may be disappointed.

    • “The gameplay consists of walking around and talking to people and solving some mysteries through dialogue choices.”
    • “The gameplay is simple but thoughtfully designed; the story, setting, and dialogue are fantastic!”
    • “The minimalist gameplay allows the story to shine, drawing players into a complex and enthralling detective thriller.”
    • “The gameplay is lackluster, but that's not why you're playing a detective story set in the late Middle Ages.”
    • “Unfortunately, the core gameplay is just not doing it for me.”
    • “Don't come looking for thrills and exciting gameplay mechanics; do come looking for a quietly beautiful and deep story, which you help to tell, rendered (in a charming art style) with a great deal of heart.”
  • music314 mentions

    The music in *Pentiment* is widely praised for its authenticity and emotional impact, primarily featuring period-appropriate compositions by the medieval music group Alkemie, along with a standout ending song by Lingua Ignota. While the soundtrack is described as beautiful and fitting, many reviewers noted its sparse use throughout the game, which can create moments of awkward silence but also enhances the impact of the music when it does appear. Overall, the combination of immersive sound design and carefully crafted music contributes significantly to the game's historical atmosphere and storytelling.

    • “The music is genuine to the time period and beautifully done.”
    • “The music captures the atmosphere of the moment along with the amazing imagery, which further engrosses the player.”
    • “The music is exceptional, cleverly used more sparsely than most games.”
    • “My two main points of criticism are that the music is a bit off - not the sound itself, but there's many sequences where there's no music playing at all, which can create a bit of an awkward atmosphere.”
    • “It's kind of sparse on the music which sometimes makes scenes awkward (there's a particular scene in the 2nd act where people are dancing and clapping and it is really awkward with no music whatsoever).”
    • “The only real feedback I have is that I wish that the game had more music in the background while traversing the world.”
  • emotional187 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with players reporting profound experiences that range from laughter to tears. Many found themselves deeply invested in the characters and their stories, often feeling a strong connection to the historical context and the moral dilemmas presented. The game's rich narrative, combined with its unique art style and thoughtful sound design, creates an immersive experience that resonates emotionally, leaving players with lasting impressions and reflections on the human condition.

    • “I was not prepared for the emotional and intellectual sucker punch this game inflicted on me.”
    • “It's a game so unapologetically human, equally funny as it is tragic, as heartwarming as it is bittersweet, mysterious yet enlightening.”
    • “The care and love that has gone into this game shine through throughout, the story finds ways to be tense, touching, heartbreaking, funny, all at once.”
    • “Ultimately, I'm getting so frustrated because the story isn't even that interesting. When you have boring gameplay combined with a dull story, it becomes incredibly unbearable.”
    • “The emotional dynamic is awful, making it hard to connect with the characters or the narrative.”
    • “The story lacks depth and engagement, which diminishes any potential emotional impact.”
  • replayability117 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits a strong sense of replayability, with many choices and character backgrounds that significantly impact the storyline and outcomes. While some players appreciate the depth and variety of paths available, others express frustration with the limited save options and linear aspects that may hinder multiple playthroughs. Despite these concerns, many reviewers highlight the game's engaging narrative and artistic elements as compelling reasons to revisit it.

    • “The replayability of this game is amazing, with almost every choice leading you down a different path.”
    • “The number of options to shape the story keeps it endlessly replayable, and the story is compelling from beginning to end.”
    • “Endlessly replayable, you will never see everything on any one playthrough, and lastly a shockingly good length for what it is!”
    • “Throughout the game, you have to make a lot of choices which advance time and lock out other options, while having only autosave and one save slot - this means there's replayability, but it might frustrate you if you're a frequent save-reload type person.”
    • “There's definitely replay value here in the form of finding out what results my other choices could have, but in all honesty, I am not going to be racing into my second playthrough because I know I am going to have to sit through a lot of repeated content to get any new stuff.”
    • “The game's pacing is just too awfully slow to have any replayability.”
  • atmosphere86 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Pentiment" is widely praised for its stunning art style, immersive sound design, and rich historical detail, effectively capturing the essence of the medieval and early modern periods. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a captivating and relatable world, enhanced by a thoughtful soundtrack and intricate storytelling that invites players to explore its depth. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as unique, engaging, and reflective of a passionate development team, making it a standout experience for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “Pentiment is visually stunning and the sound design only helps set the atmosphere and stage for the story to unfold.”
    • “The atmosphere, the art style, the writing, everything were engaging to me.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game is something that I was craving for a very long time.”
    • “Crucify me or burn me as a witch - the game's core story is mediocre at best, and loosely held together by the fluff the game offers look- and atmosphere-wise.”
    • “My two main points of criticism are that the music is a bit off - not the sound itself, but there's many sequences where there's no music playing at all, which can create a bit of an awkward atmosphere.”
    • “Despite having a somewhat relaxing atmosphere about it and technically not being 'timed', your story-important actions do take in-game time, and there's never enough of it to complete them all, and since most of them are red herrings with just bits of useful info, and some have very non-obvious consequences, again, expect your first blind playthrough to feel like a constant failure throughout.”
  • humor75 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of authentic wit and situational comedy, often juxtaposed with deeply emotional moments that enhance the storytelling. Players appreciate the clever dialogue and character interactions that evoke both laughter and introspection, making the experience engaging and memorable. While some comparisons to other games highlight a perceived lack of humor, many find the writing to be charming and effective in balancing humor with poignant themes.

    • “It's funny, intriguing, and hard to stop playing.”
    • “The writing is charming, funny, and often gut-wrenchingly sad, and the puzzles/mini-games are infrequent enough to provide a breather from what is a text-heavy game in a thematic way.”
    • “The dialogue is often witty and funny (without feeling out of place) and sometimes moving.”
  • grinding45 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with repetitive mechanics and extensive dialogue contributing to a sense of monotony. While some appreciate the immersive atmosphere and storytelling, many express frustration with the need to backtrack and engage in lengthy interactions that can detract from the overall experience. The game’s pacing suffers, particularly in later acts, leading to a feeling of exhaustion rather than engagement.

    • “Time for grinding will be required.”
    • “You'll be grinding a lot.”
    • “This is broadly classified as an 'adventure' game but there are no tedious inventory puzzles.”
    • “There are just a few choices to make and running around in the world to find clues was tedious and felt quite random - you had to visit each and every part of the map and stumble over parts of the story you would've missed otherwise.”
    • “However, once the magic of the first couple of hours settles down, you slowly start to realize that apart from tedious running from one side of the town to the other, and the glimpse of hope that your choices matter and one can actually change something for good, the gameplay doesn't change at all.”
    • “An entire game about walking around talking to people is all well and good, but Pentiment encourages searching the entire map whenever the in-game time changes, which is mind-numbingly tedious.”
  • character development26 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and impact, with players noting that choices significantly influence the narrative and character arcs. The writing is described as masterful, evoking strong emotional responses and providing a rich, immersive experience that reflects the historical context. Overall, the game excels in creating believable characters and meaningful interactions, making it a standout in its genre.

    • “Incredibly well written, a masterclass in character development, and one of the first games in a while where I actually felt like my choices did have an impact on the world of the game.”
    • “Character development is fabulous and some events actually made me tear up a bit.”
    • “It has some of the best character development I've ever seen in a game.”
    • “Most games are quick to write-off or throwaway character development once a plot-point has convened.”
    • “There's plenty of character development choices with varying degrees of importance, but most seemed a matter of style preference.”
    • “This game is more about choices and character development than solving an actual mystery.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, particularly on the Steam Deck, where performance is reported as great. However, some users note that while the game runs flawlessly in 2D, there are areas where optimization could be improved. The thoughtful design and engaging mini-games contribute positively to the overall experience.

    • “The game's performance in each subchapter is amazing, from the ancient Roman-style multiparty pulpit in the palace of ideas to the imaginary dialogue in the labyrinth to the scenes where things change and people change. The mini-games inserted into the plot are also very ingenious, which shows the creators' thoughtfulness and intention.”
    • “The text is nice and large, and the controls work just fine. Performance is flawless since it's a 2D game.”
    • “Steam Deck performance is great, and to answer the other guy and any other people with this qualm: press select during dialogue to view the glossary.”
    • “It's great and all, but the optimization could use some work.”
    • “This review is based only on the performance of the game on the Steam Deck.”
    • “SDHQ is a website made for curating Steam Deck news, guides, and providing optimization/builds for games on the deck.”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, but players have reported various glitches and bugs, including issues with dialogue boxes and control problems. While these technical hiccups can detract from the experience, they are generally manageable and do not overshadow the game's strengths.

    • “This game is a beautifully crafted, historically accurate narrative adventure, and it runs great on the Steam Deck.”
    • “The game offers some nice graphics and a superb aesthetic, although there are some ugly glitches here and there.”
    • “A few glitches though -- sometimes dialogue boxes appeared upside down and backwards, then would flip upward and be from left to right.”
    • “It's not free of - sometimes big - bugs, minor continuity errors, or visual or sound glitches.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate "Pentiment" for its lack of exploitative monetization practices, especially in an industry increasingly focused on large-scale projects with aggressive monetization strategies. The game stands out as a refreshing alternative, despite initially being overlooked due to minimal advertising.

    • “What a treasure it is to have a game like Pentiment in this era, one where it feels like the industry is rocketing towards increasingly massive projects riddled with exploitative monetization.”
    • “This game did not grab my attention at first, one of many XGP games that are included all of a sudden without bigger advertising.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

Buy Pentiment

Play time

16hMedian play time
19hAverage play time
6hMain story
10hCompletionist
13-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs

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