Xbox Game Passis often hailed as one of the best deals in gaming for consumers, but the benefits to developers often go uncelebrated. It often lets indie games get more eyes on them than they would without the juggernaut, and the pay-outs from Microsoft could prove lucrative (although, of course, deals that happen behind closed doors are impossible to speak to). This proves true even forfirst-party Microsoft studios like Obsidian Entertainment, specifically for its latest release:Pentiment.
Since Microsoft acquired Obsidian Entertainment, it has proven itself to be a powerhouse for the company. Obsidian Entertainment is associated with fantasticRPGs likeFallout: New Vegas(helmed byPentiment’s Josh Sawyer)and has worked on/is working on games likeGrounded, The Outer Worlds, Avowed, The Outer Worlds 2, and reportedly yet another secret project likePentimentonce was. But it seemsPentimentspecifically would have never existed without Xbox Game Pass.
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It’s no secret that Josh Sawyer once pitched a game likePentimentyears ago, but it was never approved. Part of that is because no publisher would touch it; it’s something unique and therefore a huge risk for any publisher.Xbox Game Passmade revisiting it now possible. As Sawyer put it during a recent interview with Wired, “…Game Pass, the stated purpose is to offer this variety of games of different types and different lengths and different genres, including very oddball things. I said, ‘Yes. All right. Sounds like a great opportunity to make something very small and weird.'”
Pentimentis something very different and a risk in the gaming industry, but something that should be applauded. Sawyer’s knack for storytelling has proven itself time and again with the franchises he has spearheaded at Obsidian Entertainment, andPentimentproves it once more. However, despite it being available on day one for the service, it seems some still aren’t happy.Xbox Game Pass’Pentimenthas been review bombedsince launch, with low scores citing its narrative direction, slow pace, and more visual-novel-like nature as something unfitting for a AAA developer like Obsidian.
What goes ignored is thatPentimentwas led by a small team at Obsidian, while the company continues its focus on its larger RPG. In a time when sequels and safe bets are everywhere, risky games should be applauded and developers should be allowed to explore the unknown. It’s not for everyone and never was going to be, but this is just another case of review bombing making no sense.
Pentimentis currently available on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
