One for display on a digital bookshelf.
The Pillars of the Earth is a point and click adventure game based on Ken Follett’s 1989 novel of the same name. Set in 12th-century England, the game begins with a man named Tom Builder roaming the woods with his two children and his pregnant wife. He and his wife talk about how he found a job after losing his last one, and whether he’s willing to work below his capabilities if it means he can support his family. Tragedy hits the family very early on and Chapter 1 of Story 1 begins.
The game follows multiple narratives while telling the larger story of a magnificent Gothic cathedral building. A brilliant adaptation of the novel, the game not only captures every emotional moment, but also brings the story to life with animation and imagery. Each character has been carefully crafted to fit their description, and the voice actors do an excellent job.
To play The Pillars of the Earth, you’re set in a specific location and given a variety of items to interact with. For example, when the game starts, Tom Builder can interact with his wife, children, a fire in front of him, and a bucket of water for dinner. You can see the object with Y. This will tell you what the character is thinking. It also gives you hints on what to do with the object. You can manipulate objects or pick them up with A. When you pick something up, it is added to your inventory and you can use that object with other users. If you’re not sure what to look for, press and hold ZL to highlight what you can interact with. You can walk around and enter different locations to make sure you’ve found them all.
You can see and talk like a human. In some cases, you are given the option to choose what to say to the person. Your choices have consequences that are revealed at the end of each segment. Choosing these options can take some time, so quick thinking is key in this game.
Each setting in The Pillars of the Earth is a joy to see and explore. The art style is like a well-illustrated storybook. Each location and character is packed with lots of details. The animations are also well done and natural, and I haven’t encountered any glitches or interface issues.The game can be played in both handheld and docked modes, but a larger screen is recommended to fully enjoy the impressive visuals. It is recommended that you play with
The Pillars of the Earth manages to turn an acclaimed novel into a fun point-and-click adventure game where your choices matter. Recommended for fans of adventure and visual novels, whether or not you’ve known Ken Follett’s work before.