Forget Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian’s True Masterpiece is the 93 Metacritic RPG From 2017
Larian Studios has become one of the most-watched game developers in the world now, thanks to the massive success of 2023’s Baldur’s Gate 3. The fantasy RPG offered a complex, rich world filled with incredibly-crafted characters, a deep and compelling story, and fun D&D 5e gameplay. It’s a game that’s both approachable while still being deeply challenging, which offers a solid balance for newcomers and longtime Larian fans. However, when it comes to more in-depth, layered RPGs, there is one Larian game that reigns supreme over Baldur’s Gate 3.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 hit the scene back in 2017, and it continues to be one of the best fantasy RPGs around. For those who love Baldur’s Gate 3 but are craving something more gameplay-focused and challenging, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a solid demonstration of how to craft a grueling, but satisfying RPG that doesn’t hold your hand and lets players’ imaginations lead the way.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 Brings More Depth to Gameplay than BG3
I definitely wouldn’t say that Baldur’s Gate 3 is a beginner-friendly game by any means. It has its own learning curve to experience through trial and error, but Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s combat is a more intense experience that is far more daunting at first. The end result is that it makes for incredibly satisfying encounters. For those who are particularly fond of building unique and complex characters, Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s customization is one of the best in the genre. Like Baldur’s Gate 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2 also allows players to choose between custom and pre-made characters, but where the latter differs is that characters can be tweaked and refined on an even deeper level than the former.
The game’s class and perk system is incredibly detailed, and while Baldur’s Gate 3 still has plenty to offer in terms of customization, Divinity: Original Sin 2 simply goes further with how layered players can get. The game also excels in how much creativity it allows players, like manipulating the surrounding environment and pulling off wild elemental combos, making it one of the best CRPGs around.
A Breakdown of Divinity: Original Sin 2’s Character Creation Options
|
Race |
|
|
Origin |
|
|
Class |
|
|
Misc |
|
Divinity: Original Sin 2 Isn’t Afraid to Lean Heavily Into Fantasy Tropes With Companions
When it comes to companion interaction, backstory, and cinematic-focused moments, it’s clear that Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the leading RPGs in this regard. However, there is something to be said about classic fantasy tropes, and Divinity: Original Sin 2 embraces these cliches without making them feel boring or lazy. Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s companions may not have the same level of branching stories and cutscenes that Baldur’s Gate 3 boasts, but it also keeps the story from feeling too bloated.
It’s hard for any RPG to compete with Baldur’s Gate 3‘s characters, and even though Divinity: Original Sin 2 lacks the cinematic moments that the former is so beloved for, each companion’s tie to the overarching narrative is still incredibly satisfying and entertaining. Everyone’s personalities are distinct, so just because the game is more trope-heavy doesn’t mean its companions can’t be compelling.
Divinity: Original Sin 2’s Story Adds to its Replayability
When it comes to the base narrative, Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s story isn’t the game’s strongest point, but what its characters add to the narrative makes it a far better tale. How each character develops and transforms as the story unfolds is different across the board, and depending on which character one plays as, it can drastically affect the tone of the game. It’s similar to Baldur’s Gate 3 in the way that the characters are ultimately the heart of the narrative instead of the actual story itself. Because of the uniqueness of each character, every playthrough has the opportunity to feel incredibly different, and it’s truly one of the best parts about Divinity: Original Sin 2, because it ends up feeling like multiple experiences in one game.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a solid demonstration of how to craft a grueling, but satisfying RPG that doesn’t hold your hand and lets players’ imaginations lead the way.
Why Divinity: Original Sin 2 is Larian’s True Masterpiece
- Deeper, more complex gameplay that allows greater player freedom and creativity
- Incredibly detailed character customization that is more layered and versatile than Baldur’s Gate 3
- A strong roster of companions that are just as compelling
- Unique character backgrounds and personalities can completely transform the tone of the story, making each playthrough feel special.
For many, Baldur’s Gate 3 will still be seen as one of the best fantasy RPGs of all time, but there’s a real case to support that Divinity: Original Sin 2 is actually Larian’s strongest take on the genre. Even though it requires more patience to learn the ropes at first, the game’s unapologetic difficulty level and more thoughtful mechanics and systems make for a more elevated experience.
At The Game Awards this year, Larian announced that its next game will be another Divinity title. However, the developer has confirmed that it will be a standalone game that doesn’t require knowledge of past entries.
Now that Larian Studios’ next game is Divinity, it will be interesting to see if the RPG feels more like the Divinity: Original Sin series or Baldur’s Gate 3. Only time will tell, and when it comes to complex and rich worlds, both have their strengths. Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s hardcore nature just gives it an extra edge and special spark that still makes it a strong contender against Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Released
-
August 3, 2023
- ESRB
-
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence