The_Onesin
First time out of the vault
What is this game?
- Divinity 2 is a direct sequel to Divine Divinity, a hack-and-slash RPG made by Larian studio. Unlike its predecessor, Divinity 2 is a real time third person RPG game. It should also be noted that the game is to certain degree, closer to cRPG format.
Setting
- Divinity 2 takes place in a fictional world of Rivellon. Many years have passed since Lucian the Divine (Protagonist of Divine Divinity) became the ruler of the land, bringing peace to the world. Lucian's son Damian however, turned up against his father after realizing the secret behind his lineage. You are the Slayer who is anointed to kill the evil dragons spawned by Damian, and you are about to venture into the world trying to fulfill your quest as the slayer..
Features
- Divinity 2 features a fast paced action RPG styled combat with many interesting features. There is a function called 'mindread' which you can use to read what NPCs are thinking. And later at some points in game, you will be able to manage your own 'stronghold' with variety of functions. I will not too much into that since it can spoil the fun.
Anyways, the thing about this game being more cRPG is about the way story progresses. Although it is fairly linear in terms of main quest, some of the side quests provide you with different choices to make, and the consequences following them. Also for main quest, the game doesn't give you the answer all at once. There simply isn't too much of 'I gave you the point on map so follow that arrow' thing. From mid game you have to do some explorations and thinking in your part.
The combat itself is not too bad either. Its bit like playing morrowind or Skyrim with much more focus on hack-and-slash. You can also take switch form later on, which gives some good moment of variety and chance to taste the game in a different flavor.
Some things that get in the way
- This game may seem too casual especially early on where the enemies are too easy and the story seems dull. Although the game picks up in terms of difficulty and slight complexity from mid-game, there are still some of the 'casual' moment in which the game gives you simply too many hints.
Also for combat, it is bit too simplistic. Its almost same as Divine Divinity in that it is still a hack-and-slash game with maybe bit more cRPG elements added to it than Divine Divinity. There are mixture of skills you can use, but the balancing is also not too good in this game. Melee characters will be pummeled to death many times from mid-game, while Ranged characters generally have a breeze from afar.
In the end
- This game is one of the better 'new generation' RPGs. This game doesn't have shitty level scaling which those Oblivion wannabes use everywhere, and you have to find your own ways to main quest at some points of the game.
The story itself wasn't too bad as well because the setting is quite interesting, and your abilities deflect what you are quite well.
I will recommend this game to people who want to try new RPG games but were discouraged because of extensive hand holding recent RPGs have.