Divinity: Original Sin II – The RPG Sandbox Standard

Larian Studios' magnum opus offers unparalleled freedom in a reactive fantasy world. A 9.5/10 RPG that rewards creativity and tactical thinking like no other.

Game Info

Developer
Larian Studios
Publisher
Larian Studios
Release Date
September 14, 2017
Genre
RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
Platforms
Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X

Verdict

9.5 /10

A landmark RPG that offers unrivaled freedom and creativity, setting a benchmark that only its successor has managed to match.

Pros

  • Unmatched freedom in combat and quest solutions
  • Deep, classless character progression system
  • Outstanding 4-player drop-in/drop-out co-op
  • Fully voiced, witty dialogue and great writing
  • Massive replay value with Origin characters

Cons

  • Inventory management can become tedious
  • The final act feels slightly less polished than the start
  • Steep learning curve for genre newcomers

Performance Notes

A technical marvel that runs well on aging PCs but shines on modern hardware. The recent 60fps patch for PS5 and Series X revitalized the console experience, making it as smooth as the PC version.

Divinity: Original Sin II is often cited as one of the greatest RPGs ever made, and for good reason. It liberates players from the rails of traditional storytelling, offering a reactive world where almost every NPC can be killed, every quest solved multiple ways, and physics-based magic alters the battlefield. The Definitive Edition polishes the third act and balances the combat, creating a near-perfect experience. Readers will discover how its element-based combat system rewards creativity and why its cooperative multiplayer remains the industry standard for CRPGs.

How to Play Divinity: Original Sin II

You control a party of up to four “Godwoken” in a turn-based tactical environment. Success depends on manipulating the environment—turning water to ice, or oil to fire—to control zones and punish enemies.

  1. Controls – Mouse/Keyboard is ideal for precision, but controller support is shockingly intuitive with radial menus.
  2. Progression – Classless system; mix Warfare skills with Pyromancy or Necromancy freely as you level up.
  3. Combat/Mechanics – Action Point (AP) economy governs movement and attacks. Armor systems block status effects until depleted.
  4. Tips – Grab the “Pet Pal” talent early to speak with animals; they often unlock secret quests and rewards.

Who Should Play Divinity: Original Sin II

This is a dream game for D&D players and creative thinkers who want their crazy ideas to actually work within the game logic.

  • Player 1 – Tabletop RPG fans (D&D/Pathfinder) looking for a digital DM that says “yes” to everything.
  • Player 2 – Co-op groups wanting a lengthy, complex campaign to play together online or split-screen.
  • Player 3 – Tactical strategy fans who enjoy difficult, puzzle-like combat encounters.
  • Skip if – You prefer fast-paced action or get paralyzed by having too many choices/options.

Divinity: Original Sin II Platform Performance

Thanks to a recent current-gen update, the game feels modernized on consoles, while PC remains the visual peak with ultrawide support.

Platform Resolution FPS Notes
PC (Ultra) 4K/Ultrawide 144+ Best texture quality
PS5 4K 60 Native app update (Dec 2025)
Xbox Series X 4K 60 Native app update (Dec 2025)
Switch 720p Dynamic 30 Impressive handheld port

Divinity: Original Sin II System Requirements

The engine is highly scalable, allowing it to run on older hardware while still looking vibrant and detailed on high-end rigs.

Component Minimum Recommended
OS Windows 10 64-bit Windows 11 64-bit
CPU Intel Core i5-2400 Intel Core i7-2600
GPU GTX 550 Ti (1GB) GTX 770 (2GB)
RAM 4 GB 8 GB
Storage 60 GB SSD Recommended

Similar Games to Divinity: Original Sin II

If you crave more tactical depth and role-playing freedom, these titles explore similar mechanics and narrative density.

  • Baldur’s Gate 3 – Larian’s successor, using the D&D 5e ruleset but keeping the Divinity engine’s reactivity.
  • Pillars of Eternity II – A more traditional RTWP (Real-Time with Pause) CRPG with a pirate setting.
  • Wasteland 3 – Offers similar turn-based tactical combat but in a post-apocalyptic setting with guns.
  • Disco Elysium – Focuses entirely on the narrative/choice aspect without the tactical combat.

Divinity: Original Sin II vs Competitors

Despite being older, it holds its price and value well against newer competitors due to its sheer depth and co-op features.

Feature Divinity: Original Sin II Baldur’s Gate 3 Dragon Age: Veilguard
Price $44.99 $59.99 $69.99
Playtime 80-100 Hours 100-150 Hours 40-60 Hours
Multiplayer 4-Player Co-op 4-Player Co-op No
Metacritic 93 96 84

Divinity: Original Sin II Story & World

Set in the world of Rivellon, you are a Sorcerer hunted by the Divine Order for possessing “Source” magic, which attracts monsters from the Void. The story is high fantasy with a dark, cynical twist. You are not just a hero; you are a potential god, and so are your party members. This creates a fascinating dynamic where you must work together to survive, but ultimately, only one can ascend to Divinity. The writing is witty, often humorous, but capable of profound emotional beats.

Divinity: Original Sin II Multiplayer & Online

The gold standard for co-op RPGs, allowing full campaign play with complete autonomy for each player.

  • Campaign Co-op – 4 players can split up, do different quests, and even fight each other.
  • Game Master Mode – A D&D-style mode where one player builds scenarios for others to play.
  • Arena Mode – PvP tactical combat to test builds against friends.
  • Cross-Play – Supported between PC, Mac, and iPad versions (Consoles separate).

Divinity: Original Sin II DLC & Expansions

Larian releases “Gift Bags” rather than paid DLC, adding optional features and content for free.

  • Gift Bag #1-5 – Free updates adding new talents, organizing features, and armor sets.
  • Sir Lora – A mini-DLC companion (squirrel knight) often included in Definitive Edition.
  • Definitive Edition – Free overhaul that rewrote Act 3 and rebalanced the entire game.
  • Free Updates – Continued support with performance patches for new consoles.

Divinity: Original Sin II Community & Support

The community is incredibly dedicated, with a massive modding scene that extends the game’s life indefinitely.

  • Official Forums – Larian’s forums are active with build guides and lore discussions.
  • Reddit/Discord – r/DivinityOriginalSin is the hub for build crafting and meme sharing.
  • Mod Support – Steam Workshop is fully integrated with thousands of class and overhaul mods.
  • Updates – Recently updated for PS5/Series X 60fps support (late 2025).