Shadowrun DC vs Divinity: Original:Sin vs Pillar of Eternity

[Pumar]

Hi, would like comparison from people that played all or at least both.

Like if I was strapped for time, in what order should I play? Which is the weak and strong points in comparison of each?

[steelcoresoviet]

Dragonfall DC
+Value, Writing, Story, interface
-Short campaign, graphics unimpressive

Divinity
+Challenging, lush visuals
-micromangement overload, botched execution

Pillars
+Almost certainly the most polished overall, Massive story.
-Inspired by Baldur's Gate, opinions vary on delivery.

I haven't played POE yet.

[Pitchblack]

I played all of them :

- If you like cyberpunk / sci-fi : Shadowrun DF
- If you like fantasy with a bit of humor : D:OS
- If you like dead serious fantasy : Pillars

or

- if you like a turn-based, light / easy combat system : Shadowrun DF
- if you like a turn-based, heavy / tactical combat system : D:OS
- if you like an active pause-based combat system : Pillars

or

- want a well written story, memorable character ? : Shadowrun DF, and Pillars
- want lots of micro-management and character progression choices : D:OS and Pillars

or

- not so much time, and want to finish the game in an acceptable time-frame : Shadowrun
- lots of time, but want to play other games : D:OS story is easy to remember and follow
- lots of time, and you play only one game : Pillars

or

- liked Baldur's Gate ? Pillars
- liked Fallout Tactics ? Shadowrun
- liked Ultima VII ? D: OS

Hope that helped ;)

[Philip Marlowe]

Pillars has even been on my SF-biased periphery.

Obsidian's known for storytelling and RPGs. That said, I prefer the questions of hard cyberpunk.

[rakshasa72]

D:OS I just couldn't get into. Although it's a very popular game. I really support it because I think more games like it should be made.

Pillars just grabbed me and didn't loosen it's grip until about half way through now. The world is so big I feel like I'm missing out on so many thing. So I ordered the guide and am plodding through the side quests.

Shadowrun just wins with me because I feel a unique connection to it's world. The stories are tight enough I can actually feel progression to the finish. That being said I'd love to see a game in the Shadowrun setting with a more open feel.

[Axeface]

I havent played Divinity but I have Pillars. In that regard I just can not understand the hype. I played all the old games that are such buzzwords in every review, but I am not seeing it with Pillars. I think it's very mediocre, the characters I'm finding to be totally mindnumbingly boring, and the combat is just bad.

Dragonfall on the other hand I wholeheartedly recommend. Excellent writing, intriguing and memorable characters, great story, great setting. The combat I think is dragonfalls weakest part, but that doesnt mean it's bad - it's pretty good, not great.

I say play Dragonfall.

[TimotheusV]

My two cents - I have played both DOS and SRDF but not Pillars.

Pillars - I see little point in recommending Pillars because, if the hype and advertisements are to be believed, it is little more than a modernized clone of Baldurs Gate. I've played Baldurs Gate 1 and 2 and love them, so why woudl I want or need to play Pillars? Why not just play BG again instead? So my recommendation is that if you have never played the BG series that you buy those games instead. Why buy a clone when you can have the inspiration for the clone at half the price?

SRDF - if single player is your gig then SR series is a very good investment. A solid story with solid foundations and tons upon tons of source material and additional content to enjoy. The game is not as "action-y" as some might like, but once you get used to the slower pace it really draws you in. SRDF includes an editor so you can build your own adventures or download and play those made by other players. I recommend this game.

D:OS - if you are looking for co-op with friends or other players, enjoy a bit of humor and deep tactical turn based combat and character development, then D:OS is your ticket. This game is just plain fun! The main drawback I have experienced is the rather slow start, but once you've absorbed the initial load the game progresses very smoothly. D:OS also includes an editor but the learning curve is very steep. User generated content will thus be slower to market, but even so, I defintely recommend this game.

If you can only choose one I would recommend SRDF, primarily because the UGC will continue to provide additional hours of entertainment after you have exhausted the original campaign in every way.
~

[Makoto Naegi]

My opinion is basically a mix of what SirJavalot and Old Blood Eye said. If you haven't played Baldur's Gate 2 before, then buy BG2 Enhanced Edition. If you have, don't get PoE. I've put in around 50-60 hours on the GoG version, and it's overhyped. The story is drek and just plain stupid at parts, and the combat, while fun at first, gets annoying and tedious the more you play, due in part to horrible AI pathing and enemies that throw around charm spells like they're going out of style.

If you have a buddy that you like to play games with who also enjoys RPGs, get D:OS. It's a blast to play with a friend, especially when you disagree in conversations. If you're gonna play solo, get SRDF. I think it'd also be good if you're on time constraints. Since the game is mission based, you could take a mission, beat it, and then quit for a while at a good stopping point until you hop back in.

[ad]

Main gripe with Shadowrun is that feels, looks and plays like a tablet game. Playing Pillars of Eternity at the same time really underlines that.

[Philip Marlowe]

The art-style shifts focus away from Man*centrism and stretches beyond space and time. The eternity of the open-romantic landscapes places us in the universal perspective...

Sublime.

[Philip Marlowe]

That said, I doubt Pillars of Eternity will have the impact of Planescape: Torment. Admittedly, that's unfairly high praise to demand anyone to achieve.

* Man = Genus: ♥♥♥♥

[Night Beard]

Originally posted by puma:

Hi, would like comparison from people that played all or at least both.

Like if I was strapped for time, in what order should I play? Which is the weak and strong points in comparison of each?

I've played all three, all three are worth the price and offer good entertainment value. I would probably lean towards POE if you want a really l;ong big game, DOS if you want more tactical combat, and shadowrun if you want a bit more linear sci fi experience.

Each has strengths the others don't and each are individually good enough that you will not regret buying them. Divinity has the worst story of the three but the best combat.

POE does not have an editor, so if thats your bag something to be aware of.

[Etagloc]

Originally posted by puma:

Hi, would like comparison from people that played all or at least both.

Like if I was strapped for time, in what order should I play? Which is the weak and strong points in comparison of each?

I played all of them

my nr 1 is POE. its a great tribute to the old EI games and I has good combat and a great story
combat needs balance but all in all its a really great game.

my nr.2 has to be shadow run.. but only dragonfall. It has decent combat and a good story. I never liked the matrix combat, so im glad they are gona rework it for the new Hongkong game.

my. 3 is Divinity. It has really great combat and a cool dual hero system were you can roleplay with yourself.. also some people might like the multiplayer.. the downside to this game is that it honestly gave 0 ♥♥♥♥♥ about the story.

edit.. if divinity had a story I could care more about. id would maybe reach nr.1 on MY list :)

[Syrris]

Between the two I have played (D:OS and Dragonfall) I'd say that your preferred genre (essentially, fantasy vs cyberpunk) is probably the thing to look at when choosing between them.

[porkfried]

I have all three games, DOS is my favorite by far. I also liked Wasteland 2 pretty well. You should consider that one if you want Post-Apocalypse fun.

[Cdubbs]

I suppose it's a matter of opinion but playing Pillars made me want to come back and play Dragonfall. I really can't get immersed in the story of Pillars or the characters. Also the combat does become tedious and while not particularly difficult, requires a lot of micromanging and pausing. While this was actually enjoyable in the BG series, it feels more like a chore and I never feel like my main character is ever really accomplishing anything.

The art style in Pillars is really cool but I can't help but be bored with the plot. What made BGII was the sense of pacing and conflict with the antagonist from the very beginning. It may be cliche but to me a good story is all about having an interesting and complex villan. Too many moral shades of grey puts me to sleep...I like contrast and extremes.

D:OS has some really cool combat but also peters out in the story department.

I have to give it to Dragonfall. Just my 2 cents.