Pathfinder: Kingmaker - The Wildcards is a significant expansion for the isometric role-playing game developed by Owlcat Games and published by Deep Silver. Released on December 14, 2018, this downloadable content enhances the Stolen Lands of Golarion, offering new character options and narrative depth. Set in the rich Pathfinder fantasy universe by Paizo Publishing, the base game delivers a classic CRPG experience inspired by seminal titles like Baldur's Gate and Fallout 1 and 2. The Wildcards DLC expands the adventure by introducing new racial and class options, allowing players to forge unique paths as they conquer the region and establish their own kingdom.

What is Pathfinder: Kingmaker - The Wildcards?

This expansion focuses on three major additions that enrich the gameplay and story:

  • Tieflings: A new playable race of outcasts with fiend blood in their veins, known for whispering cruel truths and evil ideas.
  • Kineticists: A new playable class that acts as a living channel for elemental energy, mastering wild talents to manipulate the world with deadly precision.
  • New Companion: A Tiefling Kineticist character who joins the party with her own storyline, romance options, and the ability to hold a key position in the player's kingdom.

The Tiefling Kineticist companion can be recruited at the beginning of Chapter 2. Players with existing saves can add her before the end of Chapter 5 ("War of the River Kings"), where she will request an audience at the throne room. This content integrates seamlessly into the base game's Sword & Sorcery setting, providing diverse ways to engage with the world's history and villains while exploring the complexities of the Pathfinder ruleset.

Gameplay Mechanics and Kingdom Management

Pathfinder: Kingmaker is defined by deep character customization, featuring over 15 classes, subclasses, and more than 1,000 abilities, skills, and feats. The Wildcards content fits into this robust framework, adding the Kineticist class which excels in both close and ranged combat. The game supports both turn-based and real-time combat with pause, giving players strategic control over their party's actions and emphasizing tactical execution.

Beyond combat, the game emphasizes kingdom management. Players build towns and structures such as banks, hospitals, and gardens to increase their dominance. Alignment plays a key role in character creation and narrative outcomes. The DLC's new race and class offer fresh strategic possibilities for players looking to optimize their builds or explore different role-playing styles within the complex RPG systems. The companion also adds variety to kingdom decisions, as she can occupy specific roles within the player's growing realm.

Platforms and Availability

The base game launched on September 25, 2018, for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. It was subsequently released on the PlayStation 4 as the Definitive Edition, which includes all DLC content. PC players can acquire The Wildcards expansion to add these features to their current library, while console users can access the Tiefling race, Kineticist class, and the new companion directly through the Definitive Edition bundle. The game's cross-platform availability ensures that fans of the genre can engage with the content on their preferred system.

Who Should Play?

This title appeals to fans of party-based RPGs and those familiar with D&D 3.5e rules, though it has a steep learning curve for newcomers. It is ideal for players who enjoy branching narratives, complex customization, and the challenge of governing a realm. The Wildcards DLC is particularly valuable for veterans seeking to utilize the Tiefling race and Kineticist class, or for those who wish to recruit the specific Tiefling Kineticist companion with her unique narrative arc. With high replayability driven by diverse companion interactions and player choices, it remains a compelling experience for CRPG enthusiasts and kingdom-building fans alike.