Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is Owlcat Games’ 2021 party-based RPG, the sequel to Pathfinder: Kingmaker and one of the most ambitious CRPGs built on tabletop Pathfinder’s ruleset. A demon army has torn open a portal to the Abyss beneath the city of Kenabres, and you’re thrust into a crusade to seal it, gaining a Mythic Path along the way that shapes both your character’s power and the story itself.
It’s a genuinely massive game: over 25 classes, a Mythic Path system that lets you become anything from an angel to a literal demon lord, and combat you can freely switch between turn-based and real-time-with-pause depending on your preference. On top of the core campaign, you also manage a full Crusade, commanding armies against the demonic horde in a strategic layer running parallel to the story.
That ambition is also exactly where the game splits opinion.
Curious how it stacks up against the rest of the genre? See where it lands in our ranking of the best party-based RPG games you can play right now.
Is Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Worth It?
Yes, with real caveats worth knowing upfront. It sits at 81 on Metacritic, and Steam reviews land at Very Positive, but the critical consensus is noticeably more divided than a game like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Divinity: Original Sin 2. Reviewers consistently praise the depth of the writing, the Mythic Path system’s genuine effect on how the story plays out, and a character creation system with almost overwhelming customization, 25 classes and 12 races before you’ve even started.
Just as consistently, though, multiple reviewers flag the same problems: the Crusade management layer is widely described as tedious bloat that many players end up skipping entirely (it’s fully optional), large-scale battles can feel more like a chore than a highlight, and the game shipped with a genuinely steep difficulty curve and real bugs at launch. One reviewer summed it up as “a fantastic RPG hindered by bloatware,” which is about as fair a one-line summary as you’ll find. If you’re new to CRPGs specifically, several critics warn this isn’t the best entry point, the sheer volume of systems can overwhelm rather than welcome.
For genre veterans who want maximum build depth and don’t mind a rougher, less polished experience than Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s a genuinely rewarding game. Newcomers to the genre may be better served starting elsewhere first.
Gameplay & Features
Character creation is the game’s calling card: over 25 classes, a dozen playable races, and a Mythic Path system layered on top that fundamentally changes your character’s abilities and the story’s outcomes depending on which path you choose, Angel, Demon, Lich, Trickster, and more. Combat can be played fully turn-based or real-time-with-pause, switchable on the fly, a rare degree of flexibility most CRPGs don’t offer.
Beyond the core party-based campaign, a full Crusade management layer runs alongside it, recruiting and commanding armies to reclaim territory from the demon horde. It’s entirely optional to engage with deeply, several difficulty settings let you simplify or largely automate it if the strategic layer isn’t your thing.
- Over 25 classes and 12 races with deep, granular character customization
- A Mythic Path system that meaningfully alters your character and the story’s outcome
- Freely switchable turn-based or real-time-with-pause combat
- An optional Crusade management layer for large-scale army strategy
- Adjustable difficulty settings that let you fine-tune combat, resting, and death consequences individually
If you want a similarly deep CRPG with a smoother, more guided experience, Baldur’s Gate 3 is worth comparing against.
PC System Requirements
Wrath of the Righteous is reasonably approachable on hardware, especially at the minimum tier, though the recommended specs climb noticeably if you want smooth performance during the larger Crusade battles.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 7 (64-bit) or later | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD equivalent | Intel Core i7-4790 or AMD equivalent |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon R9 280X | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 50 GB available | 50 GB available |
It’s also officially supported on macOS and Linux, and it’s playable (though not fully Verified) on Steam Deck. Console players can find it on PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox One as well.
How to Buy & Play Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
The base game is priced at $19.99, with the Game of the Year Edition, which bundles in all DLC content, at $49.99. It goes on sale extremely often, frequently dropping to $6-7 during major Steam sales.
- Buy Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous on Steam, for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Also available on GOG, Epic Games Store, PlayStation, and Xbox.
After purchase, install through your chosen storefront. New players should take advantage of the adjustable difficulty settings early, dialing back the more punishing options makes the opening hours considerably more approachable while you learn the systems. Prefer Owlcat’s sci-fi take on the same formula? Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is their other major title, and Divinity: Original Sin 2 plus our full RPG catalog round out more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous worth buying?
Yes, for CRPG veterans who want serious build depth and don’t mind a rougher, less guided experience. Newcomers to the genre may find the Crusade management and steep difficulty curve overwhelming as a first CRPG.
Do I need to play Pathfinder: Kingmaker first?
No, Wrath of the Righteous uses an entirely new setting and story, so it stands alone. Playing Kingmaker first isn’t required.
Is the Crusade management mode mandatory?
No, it can be simplified or largely automated through difficulty settings if the strategic layer doesn’t interest you, though it’s woven into the story in ways you can’t skip entirely.
Turn-based or real-time, which should I pick?
Both are available and switchable at any time, so you can experiment. Turn-based tends to suit players who want precise tactical control, while real-time-with-pause moves faster for players comfortable managing several characters at once.
How long does it take to finish?
A full playthrough typically runs 70-100+ hours depending on how much side content and Crusade management you engage with.
Who made Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous?
Owlcat Games developed and published it, with META Publishing co-publishing, releasing on September 2, 2021.
