Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition
Release Date: September 14, 2017
RPG, fantasy, turn-based, isometric view, for 2 players, crowdfunding, indie games, co-op, classic RPG, splitscreen, romances, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet, LAN
Steam
A direct sequel to Divinity: Original Sin and another installment in the popular RPG series launched in 2002 by the Belgian developer, Larian Studios. The story takes place once more in the fantasy land of Rivellon and presents events that occur between the first and second game in the franchise. This time around, we assume the role of a sorcerer, who uses the forbidden powers of the Source and is constantly pursued by the Order.
Divinity: Original Sin II for PC, PS4 and XONE is a conventional RPG played from an isometric view. Offering a high difficulty level and a turn-based combat system, the game is the fifth full-fledged installment in the Divinity series, and it constitutes a direct continuation to the well-received Divinity: Original Sin, which came out in June 2014. Similar to the predecessing game, Divinity: Original Sin II was created by Larian – a Belgian development studio. It is also worth noticing, that the production process was partially financed through a crowd-funding campaign on Kickstarter (over 2 million dollars were gathered).
Plot
The player is again taken to a fantasy world known as Rivellon, though the story is set about a thousand years after the events depicted in Divinity: Original Sin (right after Beyond Divinity). However, this time the player assumes the role of a character that uses the power of the Source – in contrast to that, the predecessing game placed the player in control of two hunters that were after the adepts of this forbidden magic. The conflict between the two groups continues on, and the player-controlled character is on the run from the representatives of the Order trying to track them down. Simultaneously, the protagonist struggles to put an end to the crisis caused by the invasion of monsters from the Void (this resulted from the death of the Divine). This entire layout also brings an atmosphere that is different to that offered by the first Original Sin, as it is visibly heavier and more serious here.
Mechanics
This time around, the player begins with creating one, central character that represents one of several available races. Another important novelty in the character creation process is constituted by assigning a biographic background to one's avatar. Depending on the protagonist's background (also, they can be male or female), the inhabitants of the game world react to their presence in various ways and can even give them different quests. As a result, the role-playing layer of the game is more profound than in the predecessing game, and problems placed in front of the protagonist can be solved in more ways.
Divinity: Original Sin II for PC, PS4 and XONE extends the mechanics developed in the previous installments. The largest changes were introduced into the combat system, as an ability to climb platforms or towers was added, and the influence of heights on characters' fighting abilities was taken into account. Action points are calculated here in a slightly simplified way, and performing most actions costs 1-3 points. Furthermore, the creators included new skills and element combinations – making a good use of these can tip the balance in favour of the player's victory in combat. The powers of the Source constitute another novelty; although the player is required to refill the special Source points in order to use those powers, they gain access to exceptionally powerful and dangerous abilities in so doing.
Game modes
As previously, the adventure can be experienced in the co-op mode, this time for up to 4 players. Interestingly however, cooperation can easily turn into rivalry, as because of different backgrounds, characters can have contradictory goals to be achieved in the same situations.
Apart from that, Larian Studios included a separate, PvP mode, which places groups of four players against one another on arenas designed with creativity. The participants take on the roles of pre-defined characters and compete against one another in different variations of such classic modes as Free-for-All, Capture the Flag or King of the Hill.
Technical aspects
Divinity: Original Sin II for PC, PS4 and XONE utilizes an enhanced version of the engine used in production of Divinity: Original Sin, that is, the Divinity Engine 3.0. This technology provides significantly better graphics than in the previous Divinity game, apart from more advanced physics and support for DirectX 12.
Last updated on September 5, 2017
Last Update: September 15, 2017
Divinity Original Sin 2 Guide
The Divinity: Original Sin II Game Guide contains description of all quests available in the game, from the ones connected to the main plotline, up to optional, side adventures. Aside from that, the dedicated chapters contain maps of all locations.
Videos and Screens
[1:02] Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition trailer - Accolades
[0:53] Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition Sir Lora
The main pros of the game
- Engaging Story and Characters: The narrative is well-crafted with compelling villains and rich character backstories. Many players appreciated the depth of the story and the intertwining personal quests of companions.
- Deep Tactical Combat: The turn-based combat system is praised for its complexity and strategic depth. The environmental interactions during battles add an extra layer of engagement.
- Rich World-Building: The game features a vibrant world with a lot of lore, exploration opportunities, and meaningful choices that affect the gameplay.
- Customization and Variety: Players enjoy the extensive character customization options, including class variability and the ability to mix and match abilities.
- Player Freedom: The game allows for various ways to solve quests and approach combat, enhancing replayability.
- Co-op Gameplay: Many reviews highlight the fun experience of playing cooperatively with friends.
The main cons of the game
- Difficulty Balancing: Some players found the difficulty to be inconsistent, especially in later acts where enemies became overly challenging, leading to frustration.
- Armor System Complexity: While some enjoyed the dual armor system (Physical and Magic Armor), others found it cumbersome and limiting in combat.
- Pacing Issues: Certain players noted that the game could feel slow or tedious, particularly in longer sections or during inventory management.
- Lack of Quality of Life Features: Some users mentioned that the game feels outdated compared to newer titles, lacking certain modern conveniences.
- Limited Companion Interaction: While companions have rich backstories, some players felt that interaction and banter between them could be improved.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- More Dynamic Co-op Experience: Players expressed a desire for a more integrated co-op mode that encourages interaction between characters.
- Better Difficulty Scaling: Suggestions for improved difficulty balance, particularly in later game acts, were common.
- Enhanced Quest Clarity: Some users felt that quest solutions could be more evident, as they sometimes found themselves lost or confused about objectives.
- Improved Inventory Management: Several reviews highlighted frustrations with inventory management and the need for more intuitive systems.
- Cinematic Elements: A few players noted that the game could benefit from more cut-scenes or cinematic storytelling to enhance immersion.
Summary
- Overall, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is widely regarded as a landmark in the CRPG genre, offering a rich and immersive experience, though it has its share of critiques regarding balance and user experience.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 2689 votes. 380 players anticipated the game.
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9
GAMES
in Divinity Game Series
Game Series
Divinity Series
A series of RPG games set in a fantasy world. The series is the most important brand in the portfolio of the Belgian studio Larian.
9 video games
Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition Summary
Early Access:September 15, 2016
Platforms:
PC / Windows September 14, 2017
Switch September 5, 2019
PlayStation 4 August 31, 2018
Xbox One August 31, 2018
Apple iOS May 18, 2021
Developer: Larian Studios
Publisher: Larian Studios
Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5 2.93 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 550/Radeon HD 6800 or better, 25 GB HDD, Windows 7(SP1)/8.1/10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i7-2600 3.4 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 770/Radeon R9 280 or better, 25 GB HDD, Windows 7/8.1/10 64-bit
Apple iOS
Requirements: iPad
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