Review for Divinity: Original Sin II. Game for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the video game was released on 14/09/2017 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 31/08/2018 The version for Xbox One came out on 31/08/2018
Until the previous generation, few would have believed that the RPG world at Baldur's Gate (one for all) would be resurrected bringing to light a large number of quality works such as Wasteland 2, Pillars of Eternity, Tyranny and Divinity: Original Sin. The merit, we know well, is above all of the crowdfounding campaigns launched by the various teams. Not many believed in the success of such initiatives (sometimes not even the developers themselves), but even fewer believed that games of this type would arrive on consoles. Well, at the end of 2018 we are here to review Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition, one of the most anticipated ports of recent years. The question now is: does it also work well on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One?
Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition tells the story of a group of prisoners, people able to channel a magical form known as "Source", considered an evil to be eradicated. We will start by defining our character: we can create it from scratch or, even better, choose from six presets. Each of these PCs has its own origin (linked to a unique mission to discover), a race (human, dwarf, elf, lizard ...) and an intellectual and behavioral background: all elements that have a strong impact on the game and on the dialogues, very deep and varied also thanks to the many possibilities of answer.
After choosing the avatar, we wake up on a ship and immediately we can come across one of the new features of the Definite Edition: the developers have added an extra zone, a tutorial that allows you to feel the main game mechanics firsthand. In this area we will immediately find the road blocked by a closed door: so we must learn to explore and interact with the environment to find the key. In this regard, certainly one of the most critical points in a conversion is to adapt a control system born on a PC to the joypad. Obviously, the combination of mouse and keyboard will always remain the best in this genre, but Larian has found a great solution. To start, it is possible to switch from one element to another, between those close, with L1 and R1, so as not to have to move the character back and forth to find the right pixel to interact with the object we want to take.
Furthermore, it is possible to hold down the interaction key to create a circle that will select all the objects within its radius, allowing us to act on them through a handy list. We will also be able to create a pointer to select distant elements and investigate their characteristics, both in combat and in normal exploration. The keys to press in succession are not few, especially for console players less accustomed to menus and submenus, but in a short time you will learn to manage the large number of interaction possibilities. Everything is made easier especially thanks to the changes made: the mission diary is clearer and inventories are easier to manage. This is a very important change on consoles, given the slowness resulting from the lack of the mouse.
In any case, as a turn-based strategic RPG, Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition does not demand precision and speed. The fights see us control each of the characters in the pary (up to four, even in multiplayer): they, in their turn, have a defined number of Action Points that can be spent to move, attack or use skills and objects.
The power of the team (level, equipment, skills ...) is obviously very important, but often some challenges can go from being insurmountable to being easy, simply by thinking about the environment: heights, stealth approaches and elemental areas such as poisoned or charged areas of steam are all fundamental components of every single fight. The strategic component of Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition is important, it is not possible to think of fighting by charging with your head down: In any case, less experienced console players fascinated by the work but not eager to commit themselves, can point to a Story mode, another option added in the Definitive Edition.
The differences continue in multiple directions, such as noticeable changes in the second and third act (with a whole host of extra combat) and some balance changes to skill and equipment values. What does not change, however, is the high graphic quality: compared to the first chapter, the polygonal models of the characters are more realistic and defined and the environment is full of details that can be enjoyed at every zoom level of the isometric view. Even the sound will satisfy every player thanks to the complete dubbing (of the highest quality) and the beautiful music partly based on your favorite instrument (you choose it during the character creation phase). Anyone waiting for the arrival on the console to receive a translation, however, will be disappointed: Divinity: Original Sin II Definitive Edition is still offered in English, loaded with slang and dialects. The Albion language must flow powerfully within you so as not to struggle in following the many dialogues.
Finally, longevity is guaranteed: not only will it take more than a hundred hours to complete the work, but the origins and the many classes of the characters allow you to experience at least a second game that is not completely new, certainly different in unique approaches and narrative lines. . If all this is not enough, there is also a PvP Arena.
Divinity: Original Sin II Definite Edition is the best version of the game we could have hoped for. The controls on the console are valid and do not affect the fun in any way. Larian's work is not a rose water RPG and the console audience, historically less experienced in the genre, will have to roll up their sleeves to dominate the game world, especially if it is in its first experience: succeeding, however, allows to discover a profound work capable of giving great satisfaction.
► Divinity: Original Sin II is an Adventure-Turn Based-RPG-Strategy game developed by Larian Studios and published by Bandai Namco Larian Studios for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, the video game was released on 14/09/2017 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 31/08/2018 The version for Xbox One came out on 31/08/2018
