Pillars of Eternity similar games & best alternatives

Pillars of Eternity

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Linux, Xbox One • 2015

Should you play it?

Prepare to be enchanted by a world where the choices you make and the paths you choose shape your destiny. Obsidian Entertainment, the developer of Fallout: New Vegas™ and South Park: The Stick of Truth™, together with Paradox Interactive is proud to present Pillars of Eternity.

What works
  • Deep and immersive story with meaningful choices
  • Extensive character customization and party management
  • Rich, detailed fantasy world with lore
  • Tactical real-time-with-pause combat
  • High replayability with multiple classes and dlc
Things to keep in mind
  • Steep learning curve with lots of reading required
  • Some technical issues like pathfinding and loading times
  • Combat micromanagement can be tedious
  • Lack of romance options and limited companion interactions
  • Some backer npcs break immersion

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition

  • Divinity: Original Sin (Classic)

  • Divinity: Original Sin - Enhanced Edition

  • Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut

  • Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition

  • Dustland Delivery

  • STAR WARS™ Knights of the Old Republic™ II - The Sith Lords™

  • Battle Suit Aces

  • Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Battle Suit Aces

  • A House of Many Doors

  • Embers Adrift
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game
  • Continuation

    Card Quest
  • Escapism

    SpellForce 3 Fallen God

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Pillars of Eternity: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Leadership, Story. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Competition.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    5

    "Players have extensive freedom to create characters, choose playstyles, and make decisions that shape the story and world."

    Capsule for Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game Fallout 2: A Post Nuclear Role Playing Game

    "Players have extensive freedom in character creation, party composition, and decision making that affects story and quests."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "Combat requires tactical thinking, positioning, and skill management; character builds and itemization add depth and challenge."

    Capsule for Tower of Time Tower of Time

    "Combat requires tactical skill, micromanagement, and strategic use of abilities; character builds and skill checks affect outcomes."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on personal story progression and understanding rather than competing against others."

    Capsule for Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.8 Matsuribayashi Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.8 Matsuribayashi

    "Focus is on personal story progression and roleplaying rather than competing against others."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

    "High replayability with multiple classes, unlocks, and branching paths encourages long-term engagement."

    Capsule for Card Quest Card Quest

    "High replayability with multiple classes, story branches, and DLC content encourages long-term engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    3

    "Party-based gameplay involves managing companions with unique personalities and quests, but mostly single-player cooperation."

    Capsule for Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition

    "Party-based gameplay involves managing companions with unique personalities and abilities, requiring teamwork."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Players can customize characters extensively and experiment with builds, skills, and equipment."

    Capsule for Fantasy Maiden Wars - DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER - Fantasy Maiden Wars - DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER -

    "Players can customize characters extensively and experiment with different builds and party compositions."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "Interactions emphasize mutual respect and narrative engagement rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

    Capsule for Esoteric Ebb Esoteric Ebb

    "Interactions emphasize mutual respect and narrative choices rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Immersive fantasy world and story provide strong escape from real life."

    Capsule for SpellForce 3 Fallen God SpellForce 3 Fallen God

    "Immersive fantasy world and story provide strong escape from real life through exploration and roleplaying."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -5

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and love for RPGs and story-driven games."

    Capsule for Fallout: New Vegas Fallout: New Vegas

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and love for classic RPGs."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Encourages trying different character builds, dialogue choices, and quest approaches; exploration of mechanics."

    Capsule for ATOM RPG: Post-apocalyptic indie game ATOM RPG: Post-apocalyptic indie game

    "Encourages trying new character builds, tactics, and dialogue choices to explore different outcomes."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Rich world with many locations, hidden encounters, and lore encourages discovery and curiosity-driven play."

    Capsule for Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG Encased: A Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic RPG

    "Rich world with many locations, secrets, and lore encourages curiosity-driven discovery."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    4

    "Extensive character creator and customization options allow players to express themselves through unique avatars."

    Capsule for LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2 LEGO® Marvel Super Heroes 2

    "Character customization and roleplaying choices allow players to express themselves through their avatars."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Strongly rooted in fantasy with magic, mythical creatures, and an imaginative narrative."

    Capsule for Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge

    "Strongly rooted in imaginative fantasy fiction with gods, magic, and mythical creatures."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Party members have distinct personalities and interactions, creating a sense of group identity and community."

    Capsule for Wizardry 8 Wizardry 8

    "Party members have distinct personalities and stories, fostering a sense of community within the group."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Players learn game mechanics, commands, and strategies, with progression and achievements supporting personal development."

    Capsule for Progressbar95 Progressbar95

    "Players learn game mechanics, character builds, and story nuances over time, supporting personal development."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

    Capsule for Frostpunk 2 Frostpunk 2

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires constant attention and active management of combat and exploration."

    Capsule for The Fall of the Dungeon Guardians - Enhanced Edition The Fall of the Dungeon Guardians - Enhanced Edition

    "Requires constant attention and micromanagement, especially in combat and exploration."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    2

    "Strong emotional connections with companions and character interactions, though no romantic relationships."

    Capsule for Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition

    "Companions have personal stories and interactions, but no romantic relationships; emotional connections are moderate."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    4

    "Players lead and manage a party of companions, directing their actions and equipment."

    Capsule for Zorbus Zorbus

    "Players lead and manage a party of companions, directing their actions and development."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring items, and upgrading characters and equipment."

    Capsule for Dungeon Siege II Dungeon Siege II

    "Strong emphasis on leveling up, acquiring items, upgrading weapons, and developing characters."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "While story and exploration can be immersive and relaxing, combat and some mechanics can cause tension."

    Capsule for Mass Effect (2007) Mass Effect (2007)

    "While some find the story immersive and relaxing, combat difficulty and micromanagement can cause tension."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable visuals, music, and sound design provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for Draugen Draugen

    "Visuals, music, and sound design provide sensory enjoyment and emotional engagement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Focus is on individual experience and story rather than social recognition or popularity."

    Capsule for The Pale Beyond The Pale Beyond

    "Focus is on individual story and roleplaying rather than social recognition or popularity."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    5

    "Deep narrative immersion with complex characters, multiple endings, and rich lore."

    Capsule for SILENT HILL 2 SILENT HILL 2

    "Deep narrative immersion with complex characters, branching plots, and rich lore."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    5

    "Combat and gameplay require careful planning, tactical thinking, and problem solving."

    Capsule for Colony Ship: A Post-Earth Role Playing Game Colony Ship: A Post-Earth Role Playing Game

    "Requires careful planning, tactical combat, and problem solving throughout gameplay."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Combat and story provide suspense and excitement, though risk is controlled and predictable."

    Capsule for Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

    "Combat and story choices provide suspense and challenge, though not extreme risk or horror."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    5

    "High perceived value due to extensive content, replayability, and low price."

    Capsule for Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

    "High perceived value due to extensive content, replayability, and quality storytelling."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves fighting enemies with various abilities, including violent actions."

    Capsule for Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Marvel's Spider-Man 2

    "Combat involves fighting and defeating enemies, but also includes non-violent options in quests."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players manage health and resources to survive challenging encounters and progress."

    Capsule for Hollow Knight Hollow Knight

    "Players manage resources like camping supplies and health to survive challenging encounters."

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Last update: 01/06/2026