LurkerPrime
Member
The long wait is over: Divinity: Original Sin 2 is now out in Steam Early Access for $44.99.
(A note about Early Access: it currently consists of Act 1 playable in singleplayer or 2-4 player co-op and the PvP Arena; most stretch goal content, including the Undead Origin by human stretch goal Chris Avellone, have yet to be introduced. The only official word for full release points to some time in 2017.
ABOUT THE GAME - Developer gameplay livestreams.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is turn-based "open" RPG developed by Larian Studios and funded through Kickstarter-- and in short, it is the sequel to one of the most impressive RPGs of the last decade. Marrying pen & paper-esque freedom/roleplaying with the videogamey-complexity of computer games, DOS2 aims to achieve even more than its predecessor, particularly when it comes to story.
What makes the Original Sin series so remarkable is its dedication to freeform gameplay. In DOS, every element exists; fire ignites oil, water douses flame; lightning electrifies water, and fire evaporates water. And then it goes a step further--the smoke that fire creates obscures vision; the blood lost from an enemy or ally can, too, be electrified; those explosive barrels strategically placed around a door... can be moved. It doesn't just let you do what the designers have allowed--it actively encourages everyone to think outside the box and embrace the freedoms given to them. However you approach a quest, Divinity will accomodate you.
KEY FEATURES (over DOS1)
EARLY ACCESS FAQ
Q: Why can't I change my character's name/race/gender???
A: You must select a custom origin to adjust these things. All origins lock the name, race, gender, and personality tags to suit the origin.
Q: Why can't I customise my character's skills???
A: That option is currently disabled, but will no doubt return in the future.
Q: Why can't my co-op buddy make their own character?
A: They must join during character creation to have such priviliges. Otherwise, they will assume control of an existing party member.
Q: When is DOS2 leaving Early Access? (i.e. hitting full release)
A: Some time in 2017.
Q: When is DOS2 coming to GOG's Early Access?
A: Later this year. (2016)
Q: Will the price increase later?
A: No.
Q: Is there gamepad support?
A: Not currently.
Q: What about console support?
A: It is PC exclusive until Larian says otherwise.
Q: VOICE ACTING???
A: Nobody has as many friends as the man with many cheeses.
Q: Why did DOS2 release a day early for some people???
A: Larian gave Kickstarter backers access a day early because they're awesome.
Q: Wait, back up... "Personal instrument"?
A: It is your personal bard, of sorts. Important music, like level-up music, battle themes, and more, are influenced by the instrument to becomes a part of your character's identity. Dynamic music is an important part of the game.
Q: Why does the OP talk up Pet Pal?
A: Because like Larian, it is awesome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember: in Early Access, YOU help guide development. Larian is listening. If you have a suggestion or find a bug, mention it to Larian on their official forums, or in the appropriate location in the Steam forums--they're even in the in-game global chat occasionally. If any game can be perfect, it is this one--it's in the name.
P.S., for full disclosure: I participated in the DOS2 Kickstarter.
P.P.S., Divinity forever.
(A note about Early Access: it currently consists of Act 1 playable in singleplayer or 2-4 player co-op and the PvP Arena; most stretch goal content, including the Undead Origin by human stretch goal Chris Avellone, have yet to be introduced. The only official word for full release points to some time in 2017.
ABOUT THE GAME - Developer gameplay livestreams.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is turn-based "open" RPG developed by Larian Studios and funded through Kickstarter-- and in short, it is the sequel to one of the most impressive RPGs of the last decade. Marrying pen & paper-esque freedom/roleplaying with the videogamey-complexity of computer games, DOS2 aims to achieve even more than its predecessor, particularly when it comes to story.
What makes the Original Sin series so remarkable is its dedication to freeform gameplay. In DOS, every element exists; fire ignites oil, water douses flame; lightning electrifies water, and fire evaporates water. And then it goes a step further--the smoke that fire creates obscures vision; the blood lost from an enemy or ally can, too, be electrified; those explosive barrels strategically placed around a door... can be moved. It doesn't just let you do what the designers have allowed--it actively encourages everyone to think outside the box and embrace the freedoms given to them. However you approach a quest, Divinity will accomodate you.
KEY FEATURES (over DOS1)
- Original campaign. Personalised questlines--called origins--and user-specified tags work on a per-character basis to provide immense replayability and personalisation to their party, and thus the campaign. Particularly when two characters have conflicting goals.
- Full 4-player online co-op... with a dash of competitive. Y'know, co-mp. Thanks to the above bullet point, there is now motivation for characters do more than mere jolly cooperation: with mutually-exclusive goals, who will decide their reward matters more and betray a party member?
- More customisation! Beyond new traits, skills, equipment, and a personal instrument, now players can select their race. So, Dwarves, check. Elves, check. Lizardfolk? Check. And Undead... ehh, they'll get here eventually. Don't even ask about Humans--y'all know the answer.
- Even deeper combat. With a refined combat engine and handful of new terrain-based effects, it promises to be more interesting than ever. Elevation is only the beginning.
- PvP Arena. Play online in a no-holds barred deathmatch and master Divinity's combat. Can you become the best? ...Can you take out Swen?
- Dungeon Master Mode. Harkening back to Neverwinter Nights,
not much is known about this DM mode yet, except that it's planned.See this thread for more info. - MODDING! (again, but better this time!) Same as above.
- IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL Divine in form and in motion.
- PET PAL RETURNS! With this trait, you can talk to animals. You don't want to miss it.
EARLY ACCESS FAQ
Q: Why can't I change my character's name/race/gender???
A: You must select a custom origin to adjust these things. All origins lock the name, race, gender, and personality tags to suit the origin.
Q: Why can't I customise my character's skills???
A: That option is currently disabled, but will no doubt return in the future.
Q: Why can't my co-op buddy make their own character?
A: They must join during character creation to have such priviliges. Otherwise, they will assume control of an existing party member.
Q: When is DOS2 leaving Early Access? (i.e. hitting full release)
A: Some time in 2017.
Q: When is DOS2 coming to GOG's Early Access?
A: Later this year. (2016)
Q: Will the price increase later?
A: No.
Q: Is there gamepad support?
A: Not currently.
Q: What about console support?
A: It is PC exclusive until Larian says otherwise.
Q: VOICE ACTING???
A: Nobody has as many friends as the man with many cheeses.
Q: Why did DOS2 release a day early for some people???
A: Larian gave Kickstarter backers access a day early because they're awesome.
Q: Wait, back up... "Personal instrument"?
A: It is your personal bard, of sorts. Important music, like level-up music, battle themes, and more, are influenced by the instrument to becomes a part of your character's identity. Dynamic music is an important part of the game.
Q: Why does the OP talk up Pet Pal?
A: Because like Larian, it is awesome.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FINAL NOTE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Remember: in Early Access, YOU help guide development. Larian is listening. If you have a suggestion or find a bug, mention it to Larian on their official forums, or in the appropriate location in the Steam forums--they're even in the in-game global chat occasionally. If any game can be perfect, it is this one--it's in the name.
P.S., for full disclosure: I participated in the DOS2 Kickstarter.
P.P.S., Divinity forever.
