Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

About Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

Owlcat Games returned to the tabletop roots with Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous in September 2021. This single-player RPG launched on PC, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch platforms after the success of Kingmaker. You play a hero entering the Worldwound, a scarred land where a rift to the Abyss lets demons pour through. The game forces you to choose your own destiny from nine distinct Mythic Paths. These routes let you become an Angel, Demon, Lich, or something far stranger than a standard fantasy warrior. You build an army and lead it against demon lords while navigating a story where moral lines blur. The setting is dark, the choices carry heavy weight, and the scale feels massive without relying on empty adjectives to describe it.

Gameplay

Sessions involve deep tactical combat and extensive character building through complex systems. You manage a party of companions who react dynamically to your dialogue choices and actions in the field. Battles happen in real-time with pause, requiring you to position units, time spells, and use abilities strategically against hordes of enemies. The core loop focuses on exploring zones, completing quests, and recruiting new followers to your cause. You unlock powerful Mythic abilities as you progress, fundamentally changing how your character interacts with the world and its threats. Decisions made in early chapters ripple forward, altering available companions, story outcomes, and even the map itself. There are no generic tutorials here. You must read dialogue carefully and manage resources while leading troops into battle against overwhelming odds.

What Players Think

Players rate this title highly across platforms with a Metacritic score of 81 and an IGDB average of 87.2 from 43 ratings. The community appreciates the depth, though completion rates suggest it is a long commitment for many users. Average playtime often exceeds 100 hours as players explore every Mythic Path option. Review snippets frequently mention the sheer volume of content and the weight of player choices. Some users report frustration with the learning curve but ultimately praise the narrative complexity. The mood remains positive despite the difficulty, with fans comparing it favorably to classic CRPGs. Price drops have made the $2.60 historical low on Green Man Gaming a popular entry point for new players looking to tackle this massive title without paying full retail cost immediately.

PlayPile's Take

This game demands time and patience but offers one of the deepest RPG experiences available. It suits players who enjoy managing complex mechanics and making difficult moral decisions that impact the world. The price currently sits near its historical low, making it a steal for fans of the genre. You should expect to spend significant hours grinding stats and reading dialogue trees rather than enjoying a quick adventure. Achievements exist but require dedication to unlock all nine Mythic Paths. If you want a game where your choices matter and the systems are robust, this is the one. Skip it if you prefer fast-paced action or simple storytelling. The effort required pays off in a unique narrative that few other titles attempt.

Storyline

Your path will take you to the Worldwound, where the opening of a rift to the Abyss has unleashed all-consuming terror across the land. For over a century, the neighboring nations have tried to withstand the threat coming from the portal and drive the enemy back, but to little avail. Now you have the chance to put an end to this conflict, but the path to salvation is far from clear-cut. Will you become a shining angel backed by worthy paladins? Or a powerful necromancer with hordes of immortal undead in your thrall? Or something else? Lead your army and challenge the mighty demon lords. Your crusade will set in motion a chain of events that will change the world - and you - forever. Your decisions have more weight than ever before. Your goal is clear, but you must forge your own path to it. Who will die, and who will live? Who will stay, and who will go? Make your choices, and watch the world around you change. A cast of more than 10 unique companions is ready to join your cause. Earn their trust and respect, and they will have your back no matter what dangers lie ahead. And if you get on their bad side, well... Maybe it's time to part ways. Explore nine unique Mythic Paths: obtain extraordinary abilities and shape everything that comes next. Your decisions might transform you into a celestial Angel, a raging Demon, a powerful Lich, a cunning Trickster, an otherworldly Aeon, a rebellious Azata, a wise Gold Dragon, an insatiable Swarm That Walks - or remain mortal and walk the arduous path toward becoming a living Legend.