Hands-On Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults Preview: Slaying Together

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The explorers of Golarion are now moving away from grid-based games and dice rolls, instead opting for immersive real-time battles. This is because Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults marks a first in the tabletop RPG franchise as an action RPG. TopMob was fortunate enough to test a preliminary version of the game, delving into its dungeons accompanied by fellow adventurers.

Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults is derived from a campaign with the same title in the tabletop game. The narrative revolves around the titled vault, which was once used by the deceased Sorcerer Belcorra Haruvex to attempt raising an army of monstrous beings for an invasion of their realm.

Whispers spread about the impending return of evil in the hidden vault, leading brave explorers to venture into the treacherous dungeon and eliminate the danger. In the Pathfinder tabletop game, Abominaton Vaults were a series of three books that unfolded over time, serving as an introductory campaign emphasizing combat and exploration.

In The Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults video game, instead of following the format of the tabletop campaign, it adopts an entirely new gameplay style. Rather than turn-based combat, you’ll find cooperative action RPG gameplay that allows up to four players to work together and overcome its challenges.

Players seeking the rigorous rule compliance found in games such as Kingmaker may not find it satisfying here, because Abomination Vaults leans more towards the style of Diablo compared to Wrath of the Righteous. Instead of focusing on strategically positioning game pieces on a board, it prioritizes fast-moving gameplay.

The Chosen Four For The Abomination Vaults

Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults distinguishes itself from other fantasy action RPGs by featuring a pre-determined group of four characters. These characters are modeled after the Iconic characters from the tabletop game and serve to illustrate various classes. The characters include Ezren, who is a Wizard; Kyra, a Cleric; Harsk, a Ranger; and Amiri, a Barbarian. Notably, gamers who have played earlier versions of this series may recognize Amiri, as she was previously a party member in Kingmaker.

In situations where not enough human players are present, an AI takes control of the four main characters. This is essential because certain team tasks, like moving boulders to create a passage, necessitate collaboration among multiple characters.

Initially, party members’ fundamental attributes have been chosen, but the player has the opportunity to personalize them as they progress, with an abundance of loot to discover along the way. Some of this loot will alter the appearance of these characters. Additionally, there are Trinkets, which are assorted items that all characters can use, offering a broader range of general boosts.

As a player progresses through the game, they have the option to customize their character by focusing on specific areas. For instance, a Cleric could develop more as a warrior instead of just a healer. The maximum level is set at 10, which is similar to the level limit in traditional tabletop games.

How Pathfinder Combat Works Without Being Turn-Based

In Pathfinder’s Abomination Vaults, gameplay may seem reminiscent for Diablo enthusiasts using controllers, as commands are assigned to the shoulder buttons. Moreover, a powerful attack can only be triggered by simultaneously pressing both shoulder buttons.

As I ventured through the game, I adorned the elegant blue and white garments of Ezren the Wizard. His orders encompassed various spells such as Magic Missile (which periodically releases multiple energy orbs that simultaneously discharge), Wall of Fire (that constructs a blazing barricade), and Burning Hands (which generates an infernal cone directly in front of him).

Players can combine their special moves to execute powerful combo attacks, provided they align them properly. For instance, if Ezren casts his Wall of Fire spell, and Amiri spins her sword into it, the resulting explosion sends out fireballs in all directions.

As a gamer, I’ve learned to strategize my moves carefully in this game. Special attacks come with cooldown periods, much like in an MMO, so I need to time them wisely alongside regular attacks for maximum efficiency. Dodging is crucial too, with its invincibility frames (i-frames) helping me dodge incoming damage effectively. To keep my health up, I have three healing potions that recharge when I take a break, and there’s also the Cleric’s healing spells to rely on when things get tough.

In the Abomination Vaults, getting hurt is a risky move since though you can recover, each character’s total health capacity reduces when they sustain damage. Fortunately, resting at campfires offers a combination of respite points and healing stations.

The Denizens Of The Abomination Vault

Moving on from discussing character dynamics in Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults, let’s delve into the dungeon itself. It teems with creatures straight out of the Pathfinder RPG universe. These adversaries adhere to traditional video game norms, such as robust undead units that can absorb a substantial amount of damage, venomous spiders capable of inflicting poison damage, hordes of goblinoids that swarm in large numbers, and so forth.

In this game world, players encounter perils such as toxic zones filled with harmful gas, demanding teamwork to uproot the plants responsible and defend against waves of adversaries. Scattered throughout the open landscape are treasure chests brimming with valuable items, many of which are protected by guards in classic RPG fashion.

In many games, there are key locations where multiple players must gather and perform a specific action, often in tense situations. This compels them to cooperate instead of merely exploring and fighting opponents individually.

From what I’ve been told, although the demo showcased just a portion of the dungeon, the completed game will include a central location for quests (a quest hub) and characters who can assign quests (quest givers). However, specific details about how this will be implemented haven’t been disclosed yet.

In Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults, the action is fast-paced and intense, with multiple events happening simultaneously. It’s thrilling to charbroil foes using your spells, but it truly excels as a multiplayer game where players work together like a real team, leveraging their unique abilities to complement each other, while managing the cool-down timers of their attacks.

Mastering The First Boss In Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults

In the demonstration, the character leading the scene is referred to as Urthagul, an enormous and grotesque creature whose head has been split open lengthwise. Unlike all other characters previously encountered in the game, this colossal being seemed virtually invincible, barely flinching under the repeated assaults of our party’s combined strength.

Assaulting Urthagul increases its stun gauge, fully charging it makes it susceptible to heavy damage. However, it doesn’t fight alone; it summons formidable minions ready to join the fray.

When its health is reduced by half, the Urthagul glows red and launches powerful slam attacks, causing a shockwave. To dodge these attacks, the party should take cover behind pillars scattered throughout the arena. This provides them with an opportunity to quickly emerge again for a counteroffensive.

The Urthagul isn’t the most intricate boss one may encounter, but it demands teamwork and synchronization from the players due to its powerful strikes. Fortunately, with a four-player team, there are chances to maneuver the boss, providing space for the remainder of the group to escape and recuperate.

In Pathinder: Abomination Vaults, the battle system isn’t overly complex; in fact, its simplicity is part of its charm. The game offers an enjoyable dungeon-crawling adventure that would be perfect for a group of tabletop RPG enthusiasts seeking some engaging online games to play together.

In this adaptation, the details that make up Pathfinder are more like a delightful frosting, but it’s the game’s breathtaking fantasy style and artwork that have been meticulously brought to life.

Closing Comments

As a passionate gamer diving into Pathfinder: Abomination Vaults, it’s clear that this game is a loving homage to the iconic cooperative action RPGs from yesteryear, such as Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance and Diablo 2. If you’re yearning for some old-school fantasy hack-and-slash action set in the captivating Golarion universe, or if you’re a co-op gaming enthusiast seeking a blend of fun and depth, this game is right up your alley. However, it’s important to note that unlike its grand contemporaries like Kingmaker or Wrath of the Righteous, Abomination Vaults doesn’t offer the same expansive, epic experience.

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2025-06-07 20:43