9.3 Editor Score
Outstanding93 Metacritic
Universal AcclaimOverwhelmingly Positive Steam
82,000+ reviewWhat We Think
Before Baldur's Gate 3 existed, Divinity: Original Sin 2 was the answer to "what's the best RPG you can play right now?" Released in 2017 and significantly expanded in the free Definitive Edition update in 2018, it remains one of the most ambitious, most reactive, and most genuinely surprising RPGs ever made. It also happens to be one of the most affordable. At £35–40 on Steam (frequently on sale for under £10), it's one of gaming's most compelling arguments for "how much content can you get for how little money?"
You are a Sourceror, a magic user in a world where your particular brand of magic is feared, hunted, and actively suppressed by a divine order called the Magisters. You begin the game in chains, aboard a prison ship bound for Fort Joy. Within the first hour you'll have talked your way past guards, snuck through vents, possibly murdered someone important by accident, and discovered that your travelling companions, fellow prisoners, each one, are hiding something. Playing Divinity: Original Sin 2 is uncannily like playing a tabletop RPG, the way that Larian's sequel embraces player creativity immediately conjures up memories of days spent sitting around a table, asking the Dungeon Master if you can attempt the last stupid idea that floated into your head. And like a good DM, Original Sin 2 usually answers that question with "Yes, you can attempt it."
The World of Rivellon: Dark, Funny and Alive
Rivellon is one of gaming's great settings precisely because it refuses to take itself entirely seriously while also refusing to be trivial. It's a world of skeletons that tear the faces off people and wear them like masks so they can fit into polite society; a world of elves that lick your arm to learn about your vices, then eat corpses for the rest of the delicious story; where you can talk to cats and dogs (with the right perk) to round out this sordid tale. The writing balances absurdist humour with genuine gravitas, a rare skill that Larian would carry forward into BG3. Dialogue frequently hits the sweet spot between comic and serious, and the world reacts to who you are: an Undead character is treated differently to a Lizard, who is treated differently to an Elf. Race and origin carry real in-world consequence.
Combat: Layered, Punishing, and Deeply Satisfying
The combat system is where DOS2 earns its reputation and its most honest criticism simultaneously. It is turn-based and tactical, built around action points, armour types, and an elemental interaction system of extraordinary depth. It's an impressive system, someone's on fire? Douse them with water. Enemies are standing in a puddle? Blast them with lightning. Poison can be set alight. Steam from water and fire can obscure vision. Ice surfaces cause slipping. Every spell and action has environmental consequences that cascade in unpredictable ways.
The honest caveat: the game is huge in terms of tactical layering, there's a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors going on that's more like Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lightning, Poison, Steam Burns, Gale-Force Winds, and Die in a Fire. That depth is the game's greatest strength and its steepest barrier. DOS2 does not ease you in gently. The opening hours on Classic difficulty (the intended experience) can feel punishing to the point of confusion. There's a Story Mode for players who want to prioritise narrative over combat challenge, it's not a lesser experience, it's just a different one, and newer players should feel no shame starting there.
One recurring criticism worth flagging honestly: the final quarter of the game loses momentum, fights become gimmick-heavy, the pacing slackens, and the story threads that were compelling for 60 hours start to fray. It doesn't undo the excellence of what came before, but it's a real observation rather than nitpicking, and worth knowing going in.
The Origin Characters, DOS2's Secret Weapon
You can create a fully custom character, but the six pre-written Origin characters are DOS2's most underappreciated feature. Each is blessed with a long mission that runs parallel to the main quest, fleshing it out and making the stakes more personal, they also tend to get the best lines, especially the undead Eternal Fane, whose biting sarcasm keeps reviewers warm at night. The Origin characters you don't select as your main character become recruitable companions, meaning you experience their storylines from a different perspective. Playing the game twice, once as a custom character, once as an Origin, reveals entirely different layers of the same story.
Strengths
- One of the finest RPGs ever made, universally acclaimed for a reason
- Elemental combat system with extraordinary depth and reactivity
- Six Origin characters with fully written parallel storylines
- World reacts to race, class and choices in meaningful ways
- Exceptional writing, dark, funny, and genuinely surprising
- Co-op for up to 4 players including local split-screen
- Game Master Mode is a full tabletop toolkit bundled free
Weaknesses
- Opening hours on Classic difficulty are punishing for newcomers
- Final act loses narrative momentum and pacing quality
- Combat can become status-effect-heavy to the point of frustration
- UI and inventory management feel dated compared to BG3
Is This Game Right For You?
HowLongToBeat puts a thorough first playthrough at around 60–80 hours. Playing as an Origin character adds meaningful additional story content on top. A completionist run exploring all questlines, all areas, and Game Master Mode can push well past 100 hours. The game's design actively encourages multiple playthroughs, different race, class, and Origin choices alter enough of the experience that a second run feels substantially fresh. One reviewer devoted approximately 85 hours to the single-player mode alone before completing it, and described it as an RPG that will suck up hours from anyone who gets stuck in.
Reasons To Love
- You loved Baldur's Gate 3 and want more from Larian
- You want 60–100+ hours of dense, reactive storytelling
- You have 1–3 friends who'd enjoy a co-op RPG campaign
Reason To Avoid
- Turn-based tactical combat genuinely isn't for you
- You need a gentle difficulty curve or hand-holding tutorial
Our Recommendation
DOS2 is a finished, feature-complete masterpiece available at a fraction of what it's worth. The purchase question here is almost entirely about timing, full price now, reseller discount now, or wait for the next Steam sale.
