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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
Verdict
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.
- Controls – Mouse/Keyboard is ideal for precision, but controller support is shockingly intuitive with radial menus.
- Progression – Classless system; mix Warfare skills with Pyromancy or Necromancy freely as you level up.
- Combat/Mechanics – Action Point (AP) economy governs movement and attacks. Armor systems block status effects until depleted.
- 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).