After many months of waiting and anticipating, we finally have a release day for Pathfinder Adventures (formerly known as Pathfinder Adventure Card Game): March 29th. A few months ago I wrote that the digital port of the hit card game was delayed (it was supposed to come out Fall 2015) because its developers wanted to increase the game’s scope and include new ways for players to experience PACG. Today, a new blog post described what should be the game’s final form along with details on its monetization. Pathfinder Adventures will offer a fast, approachable introduction to the fantasy world of Pathfinder through a strategic role-playing inspired co-operative experience.
The players will build a party of heroes to tackle the Rise of the Runelords Adventure Path. Each player has his or her own unique deck of cards representing their powers and abilities, and they’ll draw from those decks in an attempt to overcome obstacles, slay various monsters, and eventually defeat each adventure’s villains. Heroes level up with each adventure, which enables them to gain new abilities and build an inventory of spells, weapons, and companions. According to the blog, the game offers plenty of replayability for both the solo and the multiplayer experience, and Obsidian promises to continue supporting the game with the regular releases of new adventure decks (as IAPs, of course).
The game will launch for iPad and Android tablets (with more platforms to follow) and will include a single-player and a pass-and-play mode, with online multiplayer coming a few months later. Pathfinder Adventures will be free-to-download, and you’ll be able to play the tutorial and the Perils of the Lost Coast adventure before having to pay any money for the rest of the content. I think it’s a smart move to go with a free-to-download game because while Pathfinder is very popular in its physical form, this is the first digital version so a no-risk try should help get more players hooked. If nothing goes awry, expect the game to drop March 29th.
