Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth
Mar 01, 2023 3 years ago
England, 12th century: Philip the monk becomes Prior of the small abbey of Kingsbridge. At the same time, a boy called Jack is raised by his outlawed mother in the woods. His apprenticeship as a stonemason paves his way to become a great architect. Soon, his steps lead him to Kingsbridge where he will build one of the greatest cathedrals England has ever seen. Aliena and Richard have to survive on their own, after the sibling's father, the Earl of Shiring, has been incarcerated and murdered. Aliena vows to make her brother the rightful heir and Earl of Shiring. Like Jack, their way leads them to Kingsbridge. Aliena puts her expertise as a tradeswoman to good use, supporting the cathedral's construction and falls in love with Jack. But Kingsbridge and its people are in grave danger. Philip's rivals, Bishop Waleran and Wiliam, a vengeful noble rejected by Aliena, see the town and its rise to importance as a thorn in their flesh. They want to see Kingsbridge burn. The game-adaption of the world-bestseller "The Pillars of the Earth" is the first co-operative project of Daedalic Entertainment and Bastei Lübbe. This game will be more than just complementary media to the book and will instead retell the story in a new, interactive way. A team of about 20 people works to create a multi-platform adaption of this bestseller. The writers are also in contact and co-operation with the Follett Office and Ken Follett himself. Daedalic is the only studio at the time adapting such an epic reading-experience into an interactive format. The game itself will be released in 2017, at the same time the third novel of the Kingsbridge-Series will be published. The game will be internationally available for PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One and mobile devices.
What it’s like
Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth is a narrative-driven point-and-click adventure that adapts the epic historical saga into an interactive visual novel format. You traverse 12th-century England through the eyes of three distinct protagonists—Jack, Aliena, and Philip—each navigating their own intersecting paths toward the construction of Kingsbridge Cathedral. The experience prioritizes storytelling over mechanical complexity, offering a rich tapestry of medieval politics, religious intrigue, and personal survival. Visually, it presents a stylized, painterly aesthetic that brings Follett’s detailed world to life, supported by professional voice acting that enhances the emotional weight of the drama. While the gameplay consists primarily of exploration, dialogue trees, and light puzzles, these serve as vehicles for character development and plot progression rather than challenges in themselves. The game captures the grand scale of the source material, allowing players to feel the weight of historical forces while engaging with intimate personal struggles. It is less about testing reflexes and more about immersing oneself in a beautifully crafted, branching narrative where choices subtly influence relationships and outcomes.
Strong in Story / NarrativeAtmosphere / MoodAudio / MusicCharactersVisuals / ArtWriting / Dialogue
Keep in mind The gameplay mechanics are extremely light and may feel repetitive or shallow for players seeking substantial interactive systems or challenge. Additionally, the pacing can be slow, relying heavily on exposition and dialogue that might not appeal to those who prefer action-oriented adventures.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from metacritic.com, opencritic.com, purenintendo.com, thegamingoutsider.com.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 15, 20179 years ago |
| Mac | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 15, 20179 years ago |
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 15, 20179 years ago |
| PlayStation 4 | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 15, 20179 years ago |
| Xbox One | Worldwide | Full release | Aug 15, 20179 years ago |
| iOS | Worldwide | Full release | Apr 04, 20188 years ago |
| Nintendo Switch | Worldwide | Full release | Mar 01, 20233 years ago |
