Abandoning the overt linearity of the original Pillars did wonders for the gameplay loop of Deadfire. After a short intro, the player is free to explore in any way they see fit. Most islands offer something worth uncovering, be it a side quest, a challenging encounter, or unique items. Thanks to a very customizable level scaling system, focusing on exploration will not warp the difficulty curve of the main quest, a common problem in RPGs. That freedom sells the seafaring fantasy and organically teaches the player about the groups fighting for control of the archipelago.

There are four major factions the player will meet throughout the story. The Huana, the native people of the Archipelago who are in direct conflict with The Royal Deadfire Company, an imperialist force; The Vailian Trading Company, who exploit the islands' natural resources for profit, and the Príncipi sen Patrena, pirates torn between traditionalist and anarchist ideals. The game's depiction of colonialism gives the setting depth as well as clear stakes and is its strongest narrative thread. The factions are ever-present and always inform the player's actions.

The other narrative linchpin is the pantheon of gods that defined the previous game's story. While they have lost some of their mystique, their more active role in the narrative allows for captivating roleplaying. The three expansions released for Deadfire - Beast of Winter; Seeker, Slayer, Survivor, and Forgotten Sanctum – are where this thematic thread is best explored. Each one focuses on a particular god, expanding their lore, and they represent the game at its best.

Unfortunately, the power struggle within the Deadfire Archipelago and the machinations of the gods end up being too disconnected from each other. As a result, the main story feels thematically incoherent.