Divinity: Original Sin Revealed, Previews and Images

Thanks to a preview on French site JeuxVideo.com (translated version here), we’ve learned of a brand-new game by the well-known developer of the Divinity RPG series, Larian Studios.  Titled Divinity: Original Sin, it’s a radical departure from the more action-oriented titles previously seen in the series.  Did someone say party-based and turn-based, with open-ended quest design and a focus on choice & consequence? How about Ultima-style inventory and world interactivity, and online co-op for four players… and based on the screenshots provided, mod tools as well?  That’s right, it seems that Divinity: Original Sin will have more in common with traditional RPGs like Fallout or Baldur’s Gate than it will more modern titles, or even the original Divine Divinity.

Update: PC Gamer have also released their own preview, though it’s scarce on details and serves more as a teaser for their magazine later this month.

Here’s a quote from the Google-translated JeuxVideo article:

The choice of an adventure in cooperation results in a direct change of perspective from Divinity II. The camera takes a step back and height, offering a vision of the broader effort that recalls the beginnings of the saga. The gameplay of course, was thought to best exploit the presence of two characters. For example, in the quest that has been presented, one of the heroes could talk to an NPC to monopolize his attention while the other took advantage to slip quietly into the cellar … Even the dialogue system is cooperative: the developers wanted to avoid a player on its hands while the other acts as group leader, taking all the decisions. Everyone can participate in discussions and express dissent if necessary! The idea seemed particularly interesting. And if you are antisocial, do not worry: it will obviously be possible to cover the campaign solo directing the two protagonists together.

Developers have continued the presentation by showing us some of the possibilities of interaction with the game world This has always been a strong point of the series Divinity, and Original Sin is no exception to the rule. Almost everything can be collected, assembled, carried, thrown … You can put a bucket on his head as a helmet, take a broom to hit the enemy, etc.. If you harvest a poisonous mushroom, you can combine it with your sword to poison blade. Alchemy, cooking … The system is rich and ample scope for experimentation. The combinations also play a big role in the magic system, based on the elements. Make it rain on enemies and then throw a spell of cold and icy here! A flash positioned in a puddle électrocutera all enemies in contact with water. This little side Magicka makes fighting quite fun.

We’ve got a handful of in-game screenshots and dozens of pieces of concept art available in our image gallery, to boot.

I have to say, it’s not often I get too excited about a game, but Divinity: Original Sin has already become one of my most-anticipated titles in years based even on this preliminary information.  We’ll be posting more news on the game as soon as it becomes available, so stay tuned.