Hello Friends,

Today I will review the game PATHFINDER: KINGMAKER. This game is a hardcore rpg. It does not matter what difficulty you played, if you play this game, you will also find it difficult. As with other rpg's, this game is a choice based rpg. What decisions the player makes will effect the whole playthrough of the game. Note that I did not use mods on this game, as mods make the game much easier. There is also kingdom management mixed in the game. How this works is that certain problems appears in the kingdom and the player must solve these issues. These problems must be solved in many days. This can cause issues with the main storyline too as there are timed quests dealing with the main quest and even some of the projects you do for the kingdom. This mechanic is very hard, but there is a setting to make your kingdom invincible which helps with stopping this. There is another setting too to automate the kingdom project settling in the options of the game. Now, for the PROS and CONS list:

PROS:

- A interesting story based around the character the player makes.
- Customization of character and classes can lead to great builds.
- The ability to create custom builds makes the player choose how they play.
- Seamless DLC that adds more stuff to the game.
- Supports controllers. I used a ZEN PRO switch controller.
- A beautifully designed world map that looks like a actual map.
- Many interesting locations to explore and discover many quests and people.
- Works on Windows 11 OS.


CONS:

- Timed quests in rpgs is never fun. There are times where it can add excitement to games, like for example, the train section in the original final fantasy 7, but in this game, it adds a time limit on how many quests and things you can do before doing it. This includes trying to level characters, doing projects in the kingdom, side quests, etc.

- Some bugs are in the game. For example, sometimes when characters die and the player revives them, they appear still in the death pose on the ground. Other times sometimes spells did not recharge even if you rested.

- The dice system will not be the favorite of everyone playing this game. This game uses this dice to determine hittimg enemies. This can cause issues later in the game. Foe example, I, the writer of this guide, spend sometimes more than 4 hours fighting a boss because i could not hit them, and some even longer. Patience is required for this game.

- Many people will not the kingdom management aspect of this game. It is like a micromanaging in a city builder game.

- Some later fights are very tactical heavy as it depends on the players builds earlier in the game.

Recommended game. The difficulty of this game may turn some people off of it when they choose to play this. In no way should this be compared to Baldur's Gate 3, as this game is much more challenging. If you get the dlc, it even adds more stuff to the game. If you like the look of it, get it on sale, as you can buy it pretty cheap on sale with all included dlc. If you really like this game, check out's it sequel, which is still getting new content even when writing this review.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1184370/Pathfinder_Wrath_of_the_Righteous__Enhanced_Edition/

I cannot play like this! Bugs which stop the game in its tracks... They can be fixed by reloading the game, but they happen so often and the game takes so long to reload it's beyond irritation.

I liked the design and concept, the option for turn based was nice, but until these bugs are fixed - it's a no from me!

Kingmaker is an amazing CRPG that hangs with the best in the genre. It is unapologetically Pathfinder with all of it's complex rules that can be overwhelming to players not familiar with the game or D20 systems, but that level of complexity is what gives way to an insanely satisfying RPG in the mid-late game. The world is fascinating and flushed out, the art style is gorgeous, the story and characters are fantastic, and the gameplay is rewarding.