Summary
Andreas Maler’s journey through 16th Century Bavaria in Obsidian Entertainment’sPentimentis an adventure that, by all accounts, shouldn’t work as a video game yet absolutely established itself as one of the best titles of 2022. AmongPentiment’s many triumphs are the game’s pitch-perfect writing and character development, which should come as no surprise given the pedigree of developerObsidian Entertainment, but embedded within that writing is another one of the game’s best aspects.Pentimentis one of the most historically accurate adventure games available and one of the few pieces of interactive media that can make even a passive observer actually care about the workings of medieval European history.
Thetale at the center ofPentimentbegins with players assuming the role of Maler as he works on what is to be his masterpiece and gateway to advancing from apprentice painter to master. While working on his masterpiece in his spare time, Maler assists the local Kiersau Abbey with production of its illuminated manuscripts, and the game’s visuals immediately stand out by borrowing the same visual motifs. Unwittingly, Maler becomes wrapped up in trying to solve the mystery behind a brutal murder, which spans the course of three distinct time periods in the fictional Bavarian village of Tassing and gives players a crash course in the history of mid-1500s Germany.
RELATED:Pentiment 2 Doesn’t Have to Stay in Bavaria
Pentiment Was One of 2022’s Dark Horse GOTY Contenders
Obsidian Entertainment, best known for its captivating, choice-driven RPGs such asFallout: New VegasandStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2, is no stranger to great writing in its games.What makesPentimentstand outfrom the studio’s previous work, though, is that it is an old-school point-and-click adventure game released in an era where the genre has somewhat fallen out of vogue.
The gamble more than paid off for Obsidian, withPentimentnot only quickly becoming a potential Game of the Year candidate alongside heavy-hitters likeElden RingandGod of War: Ragnarok, but also quickly becoming one of the most talked-about late releases of the year thanks to its unique historical premise.
The art style ofPentiment, which directly mimics the illuminated manuscripts used by the Roman Catholic Church (and the same manuscripts that protagonist Andreas Maler illustrates), immediately positionsPentimentas a game that’s hard to turn away from thanks to its arresting visuals, but it’s the characters and themystery at the heart ofPentimentthat keep players hooked. In a year with several bombastic AAA games showcasing that the “next-gen” of consoles was in full swing,Pentimentwas a unique and understated game with a captivating mystery at its core. Even though it was released in the same year asReturn to Monkey Island,Pentimentstill made a strong case for it being the best adventure game in decades.
Pentiment’s Murder Mystery Draws From History Both Factual and Fictional
The most obvious real-life historical event that serves as the backdrop forPentiment’s settingis the Reformation and the controversy surrounding Martin Luther’s95 Theseswhich drew attention to corruption within the Catholic Church, but it also happens to pull inspiration from an unlikely source for a video game, adventure or otherwise. In addition to its very real historical inspirations,Pentimentpulls heavily from Umberto Eco’s groundbreaking novelThe Name of the Rose, which itself has been adapted into a film starring Sean Connery in the role of the protagonist William of Baskerville as he attempts to solve a murder of several monks and faces resistance from both the locals and the Church.
And, similar to howThe Name of the Rosehas received praise for its accurate depictions of life and interpersonal relationships between the average citizenry and the Roman Catholic Church in medieval Europe,Pentimenttreats its subject with great care. Sure, there are plenty of “video game-y” typesystems at play inPentimentsuch as starting skill specializations and dialogue trees. But ultimately, it’s the game’s mystery and the lessons it’s able to teach about life in a bygone era that sticks around with players long after the credits roll.
Pentimentis one of the most historically accurate adventure games available and one of the few pieces of interactive media that can make even a passive observer actually care about the workings of medieval European history.
Pentiment
WHERE TO PLAY
From Obsidian, this game is a historical narrative-driven game focusing on character development, heavily stylized art, and choice-driven storytelling in early 16th century Bavaria. Players will play as Andreas Maler, a clever illustrator caught up in a series of murders in Tassing and Kiersau Abbey over the course of twenty five years. Players will be responsible for conducting their own investigation to decide the fate of the community, but each decision will have lasting consequences and inexorably draws Andreas closer to the center of an underlying conspiracy.Illustrated world:Experience 16th century Europe as the master artists of the time saw them. Art inspired by great illuminated manuscripts and the earliest printed books becomes a living, breathing world in Pentiment.Uncover mysteries:Choose different academic and social backgrounds and meet a colorful cast of characters as you discover the stories and secrets that lie within the small Bavarian town of Tassing and nearby Keirsau Abbey.Impact a changing world:In an era of great religious and political change, each decision you make can have a profound impact on the community’s future. Find your own way through this turbulent time and see the consequences of your choices play out over generations.
