Divinity: Original Sin 2

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is Larian Studios’ 2017 party-based RPG, and it’s the game that laid the groundwork for everything Baldur’s Gate 3 would later become. Set in the world of Rivellon, you play a Sourcerer, someone able to draw on forbidden magic in an age when doing so gets you hunted, and build a party of up to four as you fight through a story about power, persecution, and the price of freedom.

The tactical, turn-based combat and the sheer breadth of ways to solve any given problem, talk your way through, sneak past, or simply set the whole room on fire, became the template Larian refined further with Baldur’s Gate 3 six years later. If you’ve played BG3 and want to see where its DNA came from, this is exactly that game.

It swept near-universal critical acclaim on release and remains one of the most respected CRPGs of the last decade, a direct forerunner to Baldur’s Gate 3 in both design and spirit.

Curious how it stacks up against the rest of the genre? See where it lands in our ranking of the best party-based RPG games you can play right now.

Is Divinity: Original Sin 2 Worth It?

Yes, emphatically, for RPG fans. It holds a 93 on Metacritic with an 8.8 user score, and reviewers across the board describe it in terms usually reserved for genre landmarks, “one of the best RPGs ever made,” “an RPG lover’s dream,” a game that took everything the original Divinity: Original Sin did well and sharpened it considerably. The freedom to solve problems however you want, and the game’s genuine willingness to let major story characters die permanently based on your choices, gives it a level of consequence few RPGs actually commit to.

The tactical combat draws consistent praise too, elemental interactions, verticality, and genuine environmental combos (setting oil slicks alight, electrifying water enemies are standing in) make fights feel like puzzles as much as battles.

Where it’s more divisive: several reviewers note the game offers almost too much freedom without enough guidance, quest descriptions can be vague, and it’s genuinely possible to build an ineffective party or wander into a fight well above your level with no warning. A handful of critics also felt the sheer volume of content, sprawling maps dense with side quests, works against the pacing in places, memorable moments sitting next to stretches that drag. If you’d rather have Baldur’s Gate 3’s slightly more guided hand, that’s the trade-off worth knowing about here.

Gameplay & Features

You build a party of up to four, either custom characters or pre-written Origin characters with their own backstories woven into the main plot, and explore Rivellon’s four major regions, each dense with quests, hidden content, and genuine secrets. Turn-based tactical combat rewards positioning, elemental combinations, and creative use of the environment far more than raw stat checks.

Multiplayer supports up to four players online or in local split-screen, and a dedicated Game Master Mode lets one player run a tabletop-style campaign for the others, genuinely rare functionality for a CRPG.

• A party of up to four, mixing custom characters with fully written Origin companions
• Turn-based tactical combat built around elemental interactions and verticality
• Online and local split-screen multiplayer for up to four players
• A dedicated Game Master Mode for running custom tabletop-style campaigns
• Around 100+ hours for a full playthrough, more for full completion

If you’ve already played this and want to see how Larian refined the formula further, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the direct next step.

PC System Requirements

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is comfortably lighter on hardware than Baldur’s Gate 3, and it’s held up well for a game approaching its tenth anniversary.

It’s also officially supported on macOS and Linux, and it’s Steam Deck Verified. Console players have options too: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2 all carry official releases.

How to Buy & Play Divinity: Original Sin 2

Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition is priced at $44.99, and it goes on sale often, historically dropping as low as $11-13 during major Steam sales.

• Buy Divinity: Original Sin 2 on Steam, for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Also available on GOG, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch through their respective storefronts.

After purchase, install through your chosen storefront. New players should lean on the in-game tutorial and take the early areas slowly, this is a game that genuinely rewards exploring every corner before pushing into tougher fights. For a deeper, if rougher-edged, alternative, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous is worth comparing against, and our full RPG catalog covers more options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Divinity: Original Sin 2 worth buying?
Yes, especially for RPG fans. It’s one of the most acclaimed CRPGs of the last decade, though it offers less hand-holding than Baldur’s Gate 3, quest guidance can be vague, and it’s possible to build an underpowered party without much warning.

Do I need to play the first Divinity: Original Sin first?
No. The story picks up roughly 1,000 years later and stands entirely on its own, no prior knowledge required.

How does it compare to Baldur’s Gate 3?
They share the same developer and DNA, tactical turn-based combat, huge freedom in how you solve problems, real consequences for your choices. Some players actually prefer DOS2’s combat and pacing to BG3’s, though BG3 offers a more polished, guided experience overall.

Does it support multiplayer?
Yes, up to four players online or in local split-screen, plus a dedicated Game Master Mode for running custom campaigns.

How long does it take to finish?
Around 100 hours for the main story and major side content, closer to 150-160 hours for full completion.

Who made Divinity: Original Sin 2?
Larian Studios, the same developer behind Baldur’s Gate 3, self-published it on September 14, 2017.