LogFAQs > #932439262

#53





Years of release: 2014 (PC, original), 2015 (PC/PS4/XB1, enhanced edition)
Beaten?: No, I got about halfway

One of my bigger misses this decade is that I didn't get around to playing Divinity: Original Sin II, which I've heard is an absolutely spectacular sequel; but, not knowing anything about that one, the original one holds up really well for me, and it's one of my favorite RPGs of the decade.

I think what stood out to me most is that this game kind of captures the feel of what it's like to play a pen-and-paper RPG in video game form more than most other games I've played. Not just the game's skills, but also things in the environment, objects laying around, etc. can combo together in unexpected ways, and that adds a sort of emergent property to strategizing fights in this game. I haven't played many RPGs that allow you to just pick up an explosive barrel from across the room, put it in your inventory, and then set it down next to you before starting a fight! Just in general, I'm surprised by how often this game sort of lets you do whatever you want and break the rules; you don't need keys if you can just break down the door, or teleport into the room. You don't need to negotiate with an NPC if you just feel like killing them instead. Every quest gives you a lot of different options and it's fun to see what you can get away with.

The tactical aspect of combat is fantastic, too. More than most RPGs, playing this one and deciding what spells to cast when, who to attack and how, it feels almost more like a puzzle, and it's a challenging puzzle, so figuring out whatever advantages you can is a big deal. I love to play this one co-op, too, even though it's a turn-based game, because figuring out the puzzle together with a friend is a really fun time.

It's been a while since I've played this, so I don't have a lot of thoughts on it, but I did really enjoy the hell out of it, and I wish I had beaten it. I played quite a few hours in it with two different friends but both campaigns fizzled out about halfway through the game, haha, so I've never seen the ending, but I really ought to go back and play it sometime. And then play the sequel! See, I don't ALWAYS hate long, sprawling WRPGs.