Divinity: Original Sin

 PC
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2293 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,929 out of 2293
  2. Mixed: 198 out of 2293
  3. Negative: 166 out of 2293
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  1. Beachgamer1
    Jul 26, 2014
    2
    Big step backwards for RPG. I bought the game off good reviews, wonder if there is a way to pull out from the reviews anyone who invested in the kickstarter and is not objective, this is NOT a 9.1 game. The fighting system is unique and kind of fun, will admit that. But the rest of the game is really sub-par relative to Dragon Age and Elder Scrolls. First, the quest design and feedbackBig step backwards for RPG. I bought the game off good reviews, wonder if there is a way to pull out from the reviews anyone who invested in the kickstarter and is not objective, this is NOT a 9.1 game. The fighting system is unique and kind of fun, will admit that. But the rest of the game is really sub-par relative to Dragon Age and Elder Scrolls. First, the quest design and feedback is absolute crap, can't put it any other way. So many times you finish one thing and have absolutely no clue what to do next, and the next step when you find what it is is just not that logical. Also, on one hand they tell you to go off the beaten path, but going off the beaten path goofs up the quest progression. Also, very limited feedback on how to proceed with any one quest, is massively frustrating. I am pretty thorough in cleaning out an area, not missing anything, but I have never spent so much time in online forums figuring out how to do simple quests. The leaps in logic you need to make even limited progress at so many points in the game is really not fun. I enjoy a good clever challenge, this was at many times just massively time consuming and frustrating. I hung in there through Act 1, am now throwing in the towel. It's great that someone created a game from kickstarter money, but going forward I will wait to pay $60 for games produced by companies who put together a product that is not full of bugs. I'm not buying the "old school RPG" tag as a blanket hall pass for its many shortfalls. Dragon Age 2 and Elder Scrolls were true 9s this game is no 9, not even close.… Expand
  2. ChunkySaurus
    Jul 26, 2014
    7
    I would say that all the 10/10 reviews out there are Kickstarter backers who want to help promote the game. The game is decent but no 10/10. If you liked Baldur's Gate, then you will probably enjoy this game too.

    The elemental area of effect mechanic adds a lot of fun to the game. Cover an area with flammable poison ooze and then set it on fire to create an explosion. Then use a    I would say that all the 10/10 reviews out there are Kickstarter backers who want to help promote the game. The game is decent but no 10/10. If you liked Baldur's Gate, then you will probably enjoy this game too.

    The elemental area of effect mechanic adds a lot of fun to the game. Cover an area with flammable poison ooze and then set it on fire to create an explosion. Then use a hostile teleport spell to throw enemies into the conflagration for good measure. Make sure you pick up a good spread of elemental abilities. Not only is it fun, the game assumes you have them at certain points.

    The Rock, Paper, Scissors method of winning arguments with NPCs is stupid. It detracts from immersion in a big way. At one point I accused someone of doing something(no spoilers!). When I presented evidence to back up my case, we played Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide the argument. I'm not kidding or exaggerating, you actually do this several times in the game. If they wanted to randomize success when using Intimidate, Reason or Charm a hidden dice roll would have been less annoying.

    The writing and dialog are pretty good, when the game has a chance to "warm-up". It is a little iffy early on; they dump a lot of weird useless story on you early in the game. At times your two main characters will have "discussions" where you role-play both sides. This is good if you want to role-play but silly if you just want to have an experience.

    You will be frustrated by the interface, unless you are a sniper. There is no assistance to click on very small or moving objects. If your mouse is one pixel off, you don't select the monster/item. It is very frustrating when a monster shrugs so your attack command turns into a move.

    Crafting exists but it is not explained very well. I haven't done any the whole game. You probably won't either.

    All-in-all, this is not a bad game. Good for some nostalgia if you liked BG. Some bad design choices hold it back though. Worthwhile on a sale.    … Expand
  3. Narziss
    Jul 26, 2014
    6
    The good: all the skills to strategize about and the awesome tactical combat
    The bad: the tedious story and other annoying role playing elements (like secret quests from talking to animals)
    If you are the sort of player who prefers to strategize all day long and wants a combat heavy game, get impatient with roleplaying (reading lots of text), and would rather just get right into the    The good: all the skills to strategize about and the awesome tactical combat
    The bad: the tedious story and other annoying role playing elements (like secret quests from talking to animals)

    If you are the sort of player who prefers to strategize all day long and wants a combat heavy game, get impatient with roleplaying (reading lots of text), and would rather just get right into the fight, then this game is *very* sadly not for you. I say "very sadly" because the combat is amazing, I just personally don't have the patience for this kind of story (I prefer combat only but don't mind story if it's a good story, which for me this isn't imho).    … Expand
  4. anomander
    Jul 26, 2014
    0
    So what we have here. Another childish fantasy, where everything is green. Stupid story written by a five-nephew of the main developers, dilaogy wrote to his younger sister. Absolutely no atmosphere, which drew players into the game, just another generic fantasy pun, this time enriched RPG elements.
  5. Tarby
    Jul 26, 2014
    9
    Basically what the other ten reviewers said. Nice to have a game that makes you READ the quests to give clues where to go next. I've started to dislike having markers everywhere. Proper hardcore PC RPG unlike recent releases that were obviously made easier for the general console crowd. I have however knocked a point off for the poor inventory and slightly clumsy crafting.
  6. kafkaz
    Jul 25, 2014
    6
    I expected this game as new revelation, I backed it up on Kickstarter, I was avidly watching developer diaries. Today, I finished the game.

    My thoughts? First off, this game is something me and a lot of old school players were waiting for. We´ve finished Baldurs Gate many times, and we´re starved to death. No suprise we are ready to overlook caveats, and focus only whats good. We    I expected this game as new revelation, I backed it up on Kickstarter, I was avidly watching developer diaries. Today, I finished the game.

    My thoughts?

    First off, this game is something me and a lot of old school players were waiting for. We´ve finished Baldurs Gate many times, and we´re starved to death. No suprise we are ready to overlook caveats, and focus only whats good.

    We praise:

    1) Combat: it is complex, fun, turn-based. Working with elements and combining them is refreshing technique and is very well implemented. It is great fun and the main highlight of the game. But - continuous turn-based/realtime system in Baldurs Gate IS FAR SUPERIOR.

    2) Graphics, atmosphere. This depends on your taste, but the game is meticulously crafted, there is no deny. But, why do have to male protagonists look like STEROID BUFFED ANIMALS? They are literally looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his best years, even fragile wizards types! But, you can design your underwear. This game can be weird. Some call it humour, not me. The progression of your character´s visuals doesn´t work also. Remember how in BG you were looking like truly menacing wizard, after you´ve finally found that great robe? There is nothing like that in here, you look insignificant at the end same way as you were at the start (this applies mainly for wizards). A robe is robe, it has one look and that´s it.

    3) Music. Again, your taste. For me, its nowhere near Baldurs Gate 1 brilliance, but good enough to not be distractive.

    Blunders we overlook:

    1) Story: nothing to write home about. It is uninteresting at the start, it gets somewhat intriguing in the middle, only to finally become big letdown in the finale. Bottom line: if you want to make Baldurs Gate successor, you don´t have to make 2 of 4 protagonists ex-demigods. It´s worn idea of long gone novelty. As if this wasn´t enough, one of the companions just happens to be ex-king. Do writers thing that great story can come only through gods and kings? Come on.

    2) Useless features:
    - crafting is absolutely useless, it only makes your inventory clutter in epic way. Finding out what ingredients you need to combine is quite tiresome. You need to find books, get through blocks of irrelevant texts to realize you need to mix mushroom with stick to get something. It is so cumbersome that after I tried to make few things, I ditched it forever. It just is not worth the trouble. You find tons of items on the way, which are the same meh quality as the one you make, so why bother.

    - blacksmithing: see above, apart from making more junk, you must repair your weapons and armor. Is it fun? No. Is it tedious and superfluous? Yes.

    - lockpicking: this buffles me the most - lockpicking in Baldurs Gate was blast, you´ve found dozens of mysterious chest with great loot, you could burglar random people´s houses, so it was VERY WORTHWILE feature. Here? It is ABSOLUTELY useless, not even kidding. Every chest in this game can be opened with a key lying around. There are like 4 chests in THE WHOLE game, which actually require lockpicking.

    3) Loot
    This game has really bad loot system, even worse than vanilla Diablo 3. The items are randomly generated, very often giving you heavy armor with intelligence bonus, wizards staff with strength bonus etc. It is annonying to kill bad ass boss only to be rewarded with this junk. Very often you will find yourself playing with lvl 15 characters, which wear 5 lvl items, because nothing better dropped for the last 15 hours of gameplay.

    4) Inventory and management
    Do you remember how many inventory slots did we have in Baldurs Gate? 20? At max. It was great. You weren´t feeling like travelling gipsy wagon, you carried items that mattered. Here, you´ve got LIMITLESS inventory space, and believe me, there are moments when it almost feels it is not enough. So, be prepared to spare much of your time tidying up your inventory, rearranging hundreds of items which you won´t ever use. It really is not right when you feel like a clerk while playing a game.

    5) Puzzles
    Most of the puzzles are unfair and uninspired. Either it is about pixel hunting small switches, or trying to follow instruction of some obscure guide you´ve found hours ago, granted that if you´ve kept it at the first place. You WILL be searching on the internet A LOT to get through. The teleport pyramid technique, although interesting at first, grows VERY INCONSISTENT later. In some situations it work, in some it doesn´t, you never know when, so you just try it all the time.....

    6) Dialogues and co-op
    Co-op dialogues turns to save/load fest thanks to the stats you get if you answer "correctly". You will find yourself answering not how YOU would like to answer, but the way so your character gets some special bonus. Depending on what you choose, you become e.g. Romantic, which will get you +1 charisma, or Pragmatic +1 to intelligence, etc. Your decision are commanded by which class you play, not by your conscience.    … Expand
  7. Type4101
    Jul 25, 2014
    9
    A full, epic game for one price. No micro-transactions! No "episode 1 of 6" junk. Just a real game for a fair price. A breath of fresh air. The best RPG in ages, with depth and options galore. The only problem with the game is that the companions available are mostly no-personality hirelings, and only two have real personalities. A few more meaningful companions would push the gameA full, epic game for one price. No micro-transactions! No "episode 1 of 6" junk. Just a real game for a fair price. A breath of fresh air. The best RPG in ages, with depth and options galore. The only problem with the game is that the companions available are mostly no-personality hirelings, and only two have real personalities. A few more meaningful companions would push the game to new heights. Still, this game is not to be missed.… Expand
  8. Velius
    Jul 25, 2014
    8
    Kind of an awesome game ! Not empty of default though. If you are a fan of old schools Baldur's gate style, you should rush this game. If not, but sort of interested, maybe wait for a lower price and give it a try. It's a slow pace game, but if you are ok with this, then you might find happiness.

    PROS: - Combat system is really awesome, Environmental and elementals interactions make    Kind of an awesome game ! Not empty of default though. If you are a fan of old schools Baldur's gate style, you should rush this game. If not, but sort of interested, maybe wait for a lower price and give it a try. It's a slow pace game, but if you are ok with this, then you might find happiness.

    PROS:
    - Combat system is really awesome, Environmental and elementals interactions make the bread and butter, and it's a really good butter :)
    -Music is cool, while a bit irregular in quality (some are truely epic while others remain unoticed.
    -Graphics are ok, not particulary shining, but clear and somewhat nice.
    -Lot of ways to "break the game" like teleporting things, using Telekinesis nicely, and other various stuff.
    -I really enjoyed the crafting system, but i'd suggest to use some community guides to really use it in an effective way, because, well it is...

    CONS:-
    ... kinda dark considering that recipes are randomly dispatched and if you dont find some key recipes, you'll miss a lot of things to plainly benefit from your skillpoints used in Crafting and Blacksmithing (note that blacksmithing is way way less usefull than crafting). Other bad point: there is a TON of components leading to...
    -an awfull inventory management. Really, this is the worst aspect of the game: tedious, takes a lot of time, and confusing. (where the hell is my quest item, i know it is on this character, but i cant find it). Sometimes you managed to clean up the mess in your inventory and bags, but 45 min later, it's in the same state than before.
    -translation: i dont know for every language, but in mine, it's just like of Google trad did all the job. And it is a crap job, really. word-to-word translation resulting in pure non-sense, the worst being for the humour: in english some conversations are really fun, but simply translated but NOT adapted, this result in ... nothing.

    Ok, this is the end of my 1st review ever, i hope my english is correct enough, i tried to give an accurate rating (i noticed that most user's review are 10 or 0, wich is a bit ridiculous), and i also hope reader will find it usefull. Have a nice time with this game.    … Expand
  9. stokny
    Jul 24, 2014
    10
    This is an excellent game! Right away it seemed like BGII with a fresh story line and better graphics. As I continue playing, the combat system really starts to stand out. Most battles are epic and very difficult, the turn based system reminds me of FFX in some ways, which is a good thing.

    My only minor complaint is that the UI seems a bit clunky sometimes. I really do not care for the    This is an excellent game! Right away it seemed like BGII with a fresh story line and better graphics. As I continue playing, the combat system really starts to stand out. Most battles are epic and very difficult, the turn based system reminds me of FFX in some ways, which is a good thing.

    My only minor complaint is that the UI seems a bit clunky sometimes. I really do not care for the 'chain' system that controls your party. Sometimes the inventory menus, etc are hard to navigate. I'm just being picky though.

    Bottom Line: If you enjoyed the Baldur's Gate type of games, this is what you've been waiting 10+ years for. If you perhaps missed the boat on the older games but enjoy RPG style games, you will probably love this. I hope the developers sell a million copies and make a ton of money on this so we can get more games like this in the future!    … Expand
  10. LDiCesare
    Jul 24, 2014
    3
    The game starts really well. It includes some hints like 'treasures are hidden off the rodden paths" and sure there are some side quests.
    But.
    It's actually one of the most linear rpg's I've played. The real issue is that the game more or less forces you to play the game in THE way developpers thought. If you don't, bad things happen: Bad thing 1: Bugs. You suddenly get a quest about    The game starts really well. It includes some hints like 'treasures are hidden off the rodden paths" and sure there are some side quests.
    But.
    It's actually one of the most linear rpg's I've played.
    The real issue is that the game more or less forces you to play the game in THE way developpers thought. If you don't, bad things happen:
    Bad thing 1: Bugs. You suddenly get a quest about events you never noticed, or get additional entries to your main quest about items you never found.
    Bad thing 2: You can't go where you want. Either you are too low level to survive, or the game just plain prevents you (near the endgame) unless you go back and change your choices in order to get some McGuffin.

    It's sad, because I like the humor, some 'side' quests are funny (but you need the xp at least early on, so do them - later you don't know it but you need stuff there so go for it too).

    There are other issues:
    You need a good eyesight, and your characters need good perception too, if you are to find the 4-pixel wide buttons somewhere on some walls. Unless you know where they are, you will spend hours watching at wall textures near the eye-level of your characters in close zoom, at different angles, with a poor camera.
    Companions are a joke. You have a choice of 2 with background or some others you can recruit much later with no incentive as they start level 1 - even if you can get them up to a decent level fast.
    Meaningless character dialogues. Most of them. Even when you manage to avoid saying something, the NPCs will still consider you said it. Long after you solved Mystery A, the corresponding dialogue options still show up.
    Unfinishable quests still show in your journal. Hey, that guy mentioned in the journal is dead, No use cluttering it with a quest I cannot finish. (Since I can't resurrect NPCs when they are not in my party despite the ubiquitous scrolls of resurrection)
    The end game is a chore. Really. Stop playing once you've reached the last dungeon (you should know it). Everything afterwards is just painful/boring. The last battle took me an hour and a half of just lowering the hit points of that damn monster who wasn't even that threatening but oh, my, 1h30 of repeating the same winning moves over and over again? That's not fun in any way.    … Expand
  11. AregAr
    Jul 24, 2014
    10
    That is how the RPG should look like. Great game, challenging and beautiful. For three days now, I have been wondering just in one city, but there are so much to thinks to do that sometimes you feel you are reading a very interesting adventure book.
  12. sasha94
    Jul 23, 2014
    8
    A solid game with lots of depth and a touch of humor. It is good for a change not to be lead around by the hand, you have to actually use your noggin a bit in this game and you are rewarded for it.
    Lots of character options are available to develop your characters your way and the turn based combat is challenging and well designed. Crafting can be a bit daunting, with nothing to guide you    A solid game with lots of depth and a touch of humor. It is good for a change not to be lead around by the hand, you have to actually use your noggin a bit in this game and you are rewarded for it.
    Lots of character options are available to develop your characters your way and the turn based combat is challenging and well designed. Crafting can be a bit daunting, with nothing to guide you apart from recipe's you find as loot, but most crafting is intuitive (using a forge to smelt ore, a whetstone to improve weapons, ovens to cook in and potion bottles to mix brews) and you get a sense of achievement creating stuff.
    You are also given a lot of freedom roaming around the game world which can get you into some trouble is your not paying attention.
    Some bugs and save game corruptions did detract from my overall impression of the game and the NPC dialog can get annoying at times which is why this game rates an 8 and not a 9 with me.
    Overall a great RPG well worth the asking price.    … Expand
  13. WarpGenesis
    Jul 23, 2014
    8
    So for the final release, I must say that it is a very good and polished game. It is fun, and it feels great.

    Sadly, I must say that I dislike playing it as the atmosphere is fairly bland and really only has an overwhelming amount of random NPC chatter when in town and when out of town is quiet to a near annoying degree. It is even worse by the fact that conversations with NPCs (In    So for the final release, I must say that it is a very good and polished game. It is fun, and it feels great.

    Sadly, I must say that I dislike playing it as the atmosphere is fairly bland and really only has an overwhelming amount of random NPC chatter when in town and when out of town is quiet to a near annoying degree.

    It is even worse by the fact that conversations with NPCs (In menus) are not voiced and make the dialogue between your party and them extremely tedious at times and with a fairly non-existent sense of direction you can easily wander around for ages.

    One of my largest complaints would be the lack of UI scaling for larger monitors, it may be a specific problem for 4K but the issue stands, as the minimap is ridiculously small and is near worthless.

    However, none of this can honestly remove from how fun and seemless the combat is and how fun it is.
    (My review is mainly going more in-depth into the negatives as there are dozens of other reviews that cover the positives in a much more expansive light than I could possibility manage.)    … Expand
  14. Goatsecks
    Jul 23, 2014
    6
    1. crafting system is absurd.
    2. story-line is really boring.
    3. ranged is favored.
    4. some abilities and attributes aren't worth the levels.

    The rest of the game is good. Lots of replayability but I can't seem to do it a 2nd time considering how boring the story was.
  15. xVinci
    Jul 23, 2014
    9
    The most fine game since Neverwinter Nights 2, a **** of fun to play with a friend in coop. The world is so detailed and lovely designed and the best thing: You'll actually get to THINK again in a game, you'll have to read, explore and actually be interested in stuff, just following dumb quest markers (there are only some for POIs) and clicking text away will leave you wondering.

    Plus    The most fine game since Neverwinter Nights 2, a **** of fun to play with a friend in coop. The world is so detailed and lovely designed and the best thing: You'll actually get to THINK again in a game, you'll have to read, explore and actually be interested in stuff, just following dumb quest markers (there are only some for POIs) and clicking text away will leave you wondering.

    Plus the workshop integration will hopefully mean a ton of mods will be coming.

    Get it, the devs deserve your support.    … Expand
  16. Skellimancer
    Jul 23, 2014
    6
    The combat is a cut down version of ToEE. The game delights in one shotting your party for clicking on inanimate objects. The hirelings consist of a redneck mage hater and an edgy as **** demon hunter. The game forces you to go level up before even leaving the first town which is filled with the most irritating NPCS I have seen for generations. glitches can occur that force you to reload,The combat is a cut down version of ToEE. The game delights in one shotting your party for clicking on inanimate objects. The hirelings consist of a redneck mage hater and an edgy as **** demon hunter. The game forces you to go level up before even leaving the first town which is filled with the most irritating NPCS I have seen for generations. glitches can occur that force you to reload, example: tutorial dungeon. I unlocked a large stone door and opened it, misclicked the door again and it slammed shut and could not be reopened. This is not an awful game but it is mediocre at best.… Expand
  17. carbon_14
    Jul 22, 2014
    9
    I haven't had this much fun in a long time. A great RPG with great depth, lots of surprises and a bit of humor. The interaction of the environment, elemental effects and objects make the turn based combat fun and challenging not a monotonous button mashing click-fest. The character customization options are first rate with many skills and perks to enable you to play how you like, no classI haven't had this much fun in a long time. A great RPG with great depth, lots of surprises and a bit of humor. The interaction of the environment, elemental effects and objects make the turn based combat fun and challenging not a monotonous button mashing click-fest. The character customization options are first rate with many skills and perks to enable you to play how you like, no class driven pigeon holed characters here. There are a few bugs and some of the repetitive dialog can grate if you stand in one spot for long, but these are minor complaints for what is an exceptional RPG.
    Unfortunately I was unable to try out the co-op or multi-player options, so I can't comment on them at this time.    … Expand
  18. naomha
    Jul 22, 2014
    10
    A story rich RPG with turn based combat, mighty spells, dastardly rogue skills, heavy handed tank traits and minions? Heck yeah! I'm not going to go through the reiteration of what probably countless others have done. I'll make it simple. It's the best rpg to grace a pc in over 10 years. Easily. It's fun, requires some intelligence and is epic in scope. I put over 120 hours into it postA story rich RPG with turn based combat, mighty spells, dastardly rogue skills, heavy handed tank traits and minions? Heck yeah! I'm not going to go through the reiteration of what probably countless others have done. I'll make it simple. It's the best rpg to grace a pc in over 10 years. Easily. It's fun, requires some intelligence and is epic in scope. I put over 120 hours into it post launch. What game have you bought in the past ten years that is getting crazy good reviews the world over and can boast that kind of playtime? I bet none. If you're an avid rpg fan you deserve to play this game.… Expand
  19. coregamer
    Jul 21, 2014
    8
    Divinity is a strong game with lots to discover. The developers didn't hold your hand through the whole game and there's plenty of customization. I'm not getting quite the same sense of making the party own that I would have liked, but the gameplay and combat are really compelling. Definitely worth picking up.
  20. Silver1138
    Jul 21, 2014
    10
    This is what RPGs should be like. Tactical, immersive, open, not pull-you-by-the-nose affairs or cinematic extravaganzas. BioWare used to know this better than anyone, but they lost their way. We have seen far too many RPGs where the full weight falls on characters and story, but where gameplay falls short. Original Sin, however, is much more about the game itself, than anything else. ItThis is what RPGs should be like. Tactical, immersive, open, not pull-you-by-the-nose affairs or cinematic extravaganzas. BioWare used to know this better than anyone, but they lost their way. We have seen far too many RPGs where the full weight falls on characters and story, but where gameplay falls short. Original Sin, however, is much more about the game itself, than anything else. It keeps you hooked not because you want to see what happens next, but because you want to brave the next challenge, explore the world and improve your character. In order to progress you will not just use your best skills in cooldown order and repeat, but you have to think about your tactics and adjust them to the situation. It is not perfect, but it is refreshing and interesting to the extreme.… Expand
  21. supe
    Jul 20, 2014
    9
    This is a re-review. I originally gave this a low score, but having finished the game I realize it deserves much better. A lot of people suggest fans of old isometric RPGs from 15 years ago (Ultima, BG) will like this game, and I would agree. But it's a game that shouldn't be compared to them, because it has a personality of its own.

    Major pros: + Combat is deep, tactical, and highly    This is a re-review. I originally gave this a low score, but having finished the game I realize it deserves much better. A lot of people suggest fans of old isometric RPGs from 15 years ago (Ultima, BG) will like this game, and I would agree. But it's a game that shouldn't be compared to them, because it has a personality of its own.

    Major pros:

    + Combat is deep, tactical, and highly addictive. While not quite balanced as the first 1/3 is much harder than the last 1/3, if nothing else there's a definite sense of progression.
    + The story and setting don't have the heart of Bioware's best, but there's enough whimsy and intrigue to keep you engaged.
    + Multiple ways to conclude quests.

    Cons:

    - The UI lacks polish. Endless floating windows that get in the way of each other, limited camera rotation makes finding the right perspective difficult sometimes, tiny buttons. Functional, but could be much better.
    - Obtuse puzzles. I get that the developer didn't want to hand hold players, but pixel searching for buttons, vague clues you may not even find if you approach quests out of order, just cause grief.
    - Cheap instadeath moments. For example, there's a boss whose corpse will kill your character instantly if you step on him. But there is no warning that will happen. Resurrect scrolls are common enough, but it still annoys me.

    Besides certain puzzles which I genuinely disliked, the cons are more nitpicking than anything else. Overall, this is a must play for any fan of the great isometric RPGs of the past.    … Expand
  22. retrobax
    Jul 20, 2014
    10
    This is an RPG made by RPG'ers for RPG'ers.
    Most of the previous reviews do this game more justice than I ever could write. I haven't enjoyed a game this much since the first Witcher game was released.
  23. dwelfusius
    Jul 20, 2014
    10
    If you have any affinity at all for their first and second rpg -> check this one out
    If you like a world where you are almost solely held back by the lack of your own imagination while crafting and combatting -> try this one
    If you like well written dialogues so full of humor you're laughing out loud behind your machine, sometimes whilst in co-op with your friends -> get this one If    If you have any affinity at all for their first and second rpg -> check this one out
    If you like a world where you are almost solely held back by the lack of your own imagination while crafting and combatting -> try this one
    If you like well written dialogues so full of humor you're laughing out loud behind your machine, sometimes whilst in co-op with your friends -> get this one

    If your idea of a good rpg is skyrim or diablo 3 -> inform yourself better to be sure not to be disappointed    … Expand
  24. Zuronas
    Jul 20, 2014
    9
    This game is for hardcore RPG fans. Most of the negative reviews on here complain about not knowing where to go or what to do in the game. There are complaints about there being too much text to read, too many useless objects that you can interact with, and how there is no level scaling which can result in players easily getting slaughtered when exploring off the beaten path.

    I've been    This game is for hardcore RPG fans. Most of the negative reviews on here complain about not knowing where to go or what to do in the game. There are complaints about there being too much text to read, too many useless objects that you can interact with, and how there is no level scaling which can result in players easily getting slaughtered when exploring off the beaten path.

    I've been playing RPGs since the first Ultima game, and then subsequently the AD&D Gold Box series. Quest markers, level scaling, glowing indicators... all this hand-holding was never needed back in the day and it still isn't to hardcore fans. The popularity of console gaming has really impacted PC gaming in negative ways. Now that most software developers make games for multiple platforms, there has been an unfortunate decrease in how complex PC RPGs used to be. I can remember drawing my own maps on graph paper and needing to actually write down clues and locations for quests - and I loved it.

    Sure Divinity: Original Sin can feel linear compared to bigger open world games, but I get the impression when playing it that the game developers respect me and are not trying to insult my intelligence. There are no bright yellow exclamation marks over a character that I need to speak with. There are no arrows pointing in any direction to show me the way. And if you have to read through volumes of text to find a quest, be appreciative that the writing quality is stellar and that it's all about world-building.

    Complaining that there's too much fluff is strange because it's a role-playing game. Story, atmosphere, and background setting is partly what makes the experience. And for anyone saying that the combat is too hard just needs to adjust their tactics or create new characters. It's challenging for sure and that's a good thing. Overall this game has been a refreshing new release that carries the spirit of old-school RPG gaming at its core.    … Expand
  25. Demonbox
    Jul 19, 2014
    10
    Simply the best game that I played in the past years, so far of the ones I've tried is also the best Kickstarter project that went "live".

    It's an "old-school" RPG, so maybe fitting to an old-school player like I am, but damn the joy I'm experiencing while playing this game! No is not as good as Baldur's Gate/Planescape Torment, but as a single player game is better than NWN 1/2. It    Simply the best game that I played in the past years, so far of the ones I've tried is also the best Kickstarter project that went "live".

    It's an "old-school" RPG, so maybe fitting to an old-school player like I am, but damn the joy I'm experiencing while playing this game!
    No is not as good as Baldur's Gate/Planescape Torment, but as a single player game is better than NWN 1/2.
    It doesn't give you the "complete freedom" that some Bethesda games give you (Elder scroll saga), but you have a party and turn-based combat (a great one), which have always been a love of mine.

    Is it worth a 10? For me yes 'cause I was starting to wonder if I would have been able to feel the joy of playing a CRPG again.    … Expand
  26. spajn
    Jul 19, 2014
    5
    First of all i want to say im a hardcore Infinity Engine RPG fan so when i heard about Divinity: Original Sin i was so excited. It seemed to be the best parts of Baldurs Gate with a Modern yet 2d:ish graphic engine, Perfect!

    Well it didnt take long before the game started to piss me off. Its like the game was playtested by nothing else than Ultra-Hardcore Oldschool RPG fans or by people    First of all i want to say im a hardcore Infinity Engine RPG fan so when i heard about Divinity: Original Sin i was so excited. It seemed to be the best parts of Baldurs Gate with a Modern yet 2d:ish graphic engine, Perfect!

    Well it didnt take long before the game started to piss me off. Its like the game was playtested by nothing else than Ultra-Hardcore Oldschool RPG fans or by people who made the game and knows the ins and outs of every single thing in the game.

    You Almost at the start of the game arrive at a Major city which is a major mistake of a RPG.... you should never start at a major city and confuse the player who is already confused by learning all the new game systems of a game they just started playing. Only RPG who has pulled this off is BG2 but that game was so much alike BG1 they got away with it.

    Then you want to go on your first quest, NOPE! You get like 10 quests at the city and MAYBE you can complete two of them because the rest if way too high level for you. The game never tells you the quests are out of your reach. Im all for the game not holding your hand but if they playtested their game a little more they would figure out its not a good play experience to get access to content you have no chance in completing. Some quests begins as a quest made for low levels, only with the boss fight being against a level 7 boss mob...The game howeever never bothered to tell you that you aint got no business with 90% of the quets the game gives you AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME. Baldurs Gate never had this problem, there was challenging fights there yes, but nowhere like this **** where you get insta killed in 1 hit by random mobs. Why the **** give me quests that i got almost zero chance in completing?

    They Ofcourse you want to go level up somewhere. BUT THERE ARENT ENOUGH TO DO TO LEVEL UP! First Quest area is mobs of level 3-5.. i was level 2 when i got there... sure with lots of blood sweat and tears i cleared it... now im level 4, almost level 5. The Next area is level 5-7 monsters. FIghts can often be your 4 party members vs 8 enemy mobs. When you are lower level than the monsters AND outnumbered the game just starting to be torture on your ****ing brain. There is not enough quests and monsters to level up unless you refuse to give up before you have found every ****ing little xp hidden away.

    WAY TO GO TO **** UP A GAME. Thank god for pillars of eternity.

    I give this game 5 Just because i love old school RPGs but this game is a huge fail.    … Expand
  27. lonelorn
    Jul 19, 2014
    6
    I wanted to love this game so much, sadly i can't. The worst about it, is Larian actually made a wonderful job and D:OS could have been a great game but all the little things i dont like in this game are a deal breaker for me.

    So what do i not like in this game : 1. It's extremly linear, despite the (kind of) open world. Sure there are a few side quests, some of them hidden, some of    I wanted to love this game so much, sadly i can't. The worst about it, is Larian actually made a wonderful job and D:OS could have been a great game but all the little things i dont like in this game are a deal breaker for me.

    So what do i not like in this game :

    1. It's extremly linear, despite the (kind of) open world. Sure there are a few side quests, some of them hidden, some of them really cool, but apart from those, you have to stay on the intended path or the game will punish you. Brutally. As soon as you try fighting ennemies more than one level higher than you, you get your sorry ass handed to you.

    2. Even the way you should fight have been laid out for you : always use the environemental stuff around or die (or turn the game to easy mode). What i love about CRPGs is to create original parties, with non conventionnal ways to fight. You can't really do that in D:OS, especially given how dull the spells are (oh look i can give you a ONE strenght bonus ! for a whole TWO rounds ! aint THAT sexy ?!)

    3. Most of the time, you're at a loss about what to do. I'm not asking for quest markers, but i'm pretty sure the game could have made what you're supposed to do a bit more intuitive. And dont even get me started about crafting, it's the worst crafting system i've ever laid my eyes on.

    4. The game is still pretty bugged as of now. Larian seems to be doing a fine job of correcting this, so this might not be an issue for a long.

    5. Only 2 companions ? Are you kidding me ? Yes i know you can recruit some generic companions later in the game, but that seemed bugged in my game, they did not level up the level of my main characters when i hired them. Fighting level 10 mobs with lv1 companions seemed like a bad idea so i passed.

    6. Did i mention how dull the spells are ? That and the fact that you have no idea why a spell worked or didnt. For instance my warrior has a 1h weapon that has a 30% chance of crippling target. After around 2 hours of using it, i have yet to see it work. Just Once.

    All in all, i'm not regretting having bought this game, i had a pretty good time playing it. But to me it just can't compare with the genre classics such as BG2 or NWN.    … Expand
  28. OMGtechy
    Jul 19, 2014
    10
    My new favorite game of all time. It feels so polished, so original and most importantly it's fun. I haven't experienced multiplayer yet, but the singleplayer alone is worth full marks.
  29. GameFans
    Jul 18, 2014
    10
    This game is indeed made for hardcore players. It has the complexity of quest just like fallout 2, with a lot of stuff hinting the background stories of various side quests. Its combat can be tough or even brutal if you can't master the key tactics of battle system.

    So, casual gamers, please stay out of our way. Just play Skyrim or Call of Duty, these games are made for you.
  30. ChiaFetus
    Jul 18, 2014
    10
    The best RPG I've played in my 30 of gaming. Great character customization,great story. Good voice acting, beautiful graphics (especially in 2560 x 1440p). This isn't even a giant studio and they've managed to pull off what Blizzard couldn't.
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best PC Game of 2014
12
#12 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
16
#16 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 59
  3. Negative: 0 out of 59
  1. Worth Playing
    Dec 31, 2014
    91
    It's a conscious decision on Larian's part to resurrect tried-and-true threads that run deep into the bones of the CRPG genre. It's a culmination of those efforts and an unapologetic celebration of battle-tested concepts backed by solid co-op. Most of all, it comes together as a grand adventure that hearkens back to sleepless nights buoyed by the roll of a die and a pad of grid paper shared between fellow dungeon crawlers.
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  2. CD-Action
    Oct 22, 2014
    80
    Relatively small Larian Studios finally managed to deliver a really significant game. Original Sin is brimming with ideas on how to bring back old school RPG vibe and make it fit modern times. [Sept 2014, p.50]
  3. GameCritics
    Sep 12, 2014
    75
    As much as I loved the bulk of the game, by the end I was burning out, and burning out fast. Despite that, I'm glad that some studios are still willing to show an almost insane level of ambition in realizing the games they want to make without compromise, even if it does lead to a few dire moments here and there.
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