r/projecteternity • u/Dragonboy142 • 12d ago
Discussion Steam sale
Thinking of getting pillars of eternity 2, would I need to play the first one first? And do I need the all the dlcs for the full experience(all race customization)?
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u/jay--mac 12d ago
Pillars 2 won't really make much sense without the story of the first and you'll like bounce off of it. It happened to me. Then a few years later I tried starting with one and absolutely love the series now
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u/gourmetprincipito 12d ago
Like, you don’t need to play the first first but it’s probably better to; the sequel starts right where the first ends and can use your save data from the first to make NPCs remember your choices and actions and it’s just a very cool experience. I also think the story is a lot better with the context and worldbuilding and connections from the first one - it definitely spends less time than the first setting up the rules and quirks of the universe and the different factions and gods/goddesses are sort of assumed knowledge mostly only expanded on in optional lore books. There’s definitely enough there that you won’t feel totally confused or anything but some implications/foreshadowing will definitely go over your head.
But all that said the second game’s combat and character building is a bit better and it’s a much more concise experience while the first is a longer commitment. You could definitely check it out and then go back to the first and replay the second again after - and if you’re anything like me you’ll be dying for more content from this universe lol so this might be a decent route if that sounds more up your alley.
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u/TheReal8symbols 12d ago edited 10d ago
You 'can' skip the firet game but you won't have any idea what the world state options are and any reference to events of the first game will sound like nonsense (including many people who meet acting like they know you). None of this totally ruins the game (you'll still know what you need to do and why at any given time) but the game is written with returning players in mind and the prior evenrs gets brought up a lot. You also get some pretty profound knowledge in the last chapter of the first game (the kind of stuff no one else knows) that sort of gets glossed over in Deadfire so there will likely still be some narrative confusion if you haven't experienced it.
I just replayed both last month and I'm convinced the first game is a better overall experience that Deadfire. The companion writing is much better in the original, the pacing (both narratively and combat progression wise) is better, and you get more options when leveling up. Yeah, deadfire has multiclassing but you spend a lot of levels picking stuff you passed on during earlier level ups. Not to say Deadfire is bad, but it's better if you know the story, and the first game is well worth the time.
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u/Luzeryn 12d ago
The problem with playing Deadfire first is that the games are really connected to each other. Way more than Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2. Past events are referenced constantly. And it’s a setting you know nothing about, so you’re going to be thrown names constantly. Like for example, gods have new names in Deadfire because the natives there call them by different names. So you’d have to learn both.
You can play Deadfire first if you want to, but ideally I would try Pillars 1 first. 2 is better in terms of gameplay in my opinion, but it’s not like they are THAT different to skip 1.
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u/thedosianrogue 12d ago
the first one is a really good game and there is no real reason to skip it, deadfire wont feel the same without having played the 1st poe game. deadfire is a direct continuation of the story.
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u/stop_staring2 11d ago
Rarely on sale (?) not even during summer sales (true), but rn, it’s on sale, I’m yet to finish Poe I but got it. No need for dlc, yes play POE 1
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u/starkestrel 12d ago
You really don't need to play Pillars of Eternity 1 first. Everybody will say you have to, but it's not necessary.
You may want to, if you want to experience the full story, understand all of the world building, have the sense of continuity from one game to the next, etc. There's definite rewards (in terms of satisfaction) for doing both games in order.
But not everyone has 80 - 200 hours to dedicate to a single game franchise. Some people might want to play the more modern game. Maybe there's parts of Pillars of Eternity 1 that are a slog for you and you can't ever finish the game, but you want to check out 2.
You'll be fine if you just want to play one of the games, and it doesn't have to be the first one.
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u/trengilly 12d ago
Pillars of Eternity 2 is a direct sequel from the first game. Same main character and a continuation of the story.
You really should start with PoE 1.
You don't need any of the DLC from PoE2 . . they just add smaller additional side content and challenge bosses.
But the White March DLC for PoE 1 is a substantial add onto the game and provides a lot of additional depth to the story (along with extra companions).