Role-playing games, just like the horror films, are divided into tens of different sub-genres in order to cater to different, tastes, needs, and expectations. Some, just like the latest Dragon Age Inquisition, are more like cheap slashers which are designed to take you from point A to B, without any unnecessary bother by guiding you with an obnoxious quest tracking mechanics, and unnecessarily large on-screen heads-up-displays.
Whereas others, are like a finest 19th century macabre, they’re designed just like the cheap slashers, but instead of dragging you by your hand, and pushing you towards even the most obvious objectives, they’re allowing you to discover the story, and all its intricate plot-lines, all by your own, and at your own pace. However, games like these are slowly dying out as videogames, just like our way of life, are being constantly simplified as technological progress places convenience, above and beyond everything else. And such state of events, at least for me, has been deeply disheartening, however, after years of separation, Divinity: Original Sin, has finally allowed me to relieve experiences of my childhood. When I’ve played Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition for the first time, I was in awe, yes – I know it was out on PCs for over a year, but due to the personal grudge that I hold against PC gaming, I’ve refused to play it. However, now that I’ve finally had a chance to put my hands on it, I still can’t quite believe that a game featuring so many archaic mechanics exists on current-gen consoles.
Mechanically, Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition is an extremely complex game. The amount of statistics, skills, and abilities seems to have no end. Each and every point that you invest during your playthrough will have a colossal impact not only on your characters, but the world as a whole. Improving a single ability within the dirty deeds skill-tree can open doors that were previously closed to you, both literally and metaphorically speaking. However, such investment can hamper your physical ability, and put you at a significant disadvantage during combat. But due to the inclusion of the companion system, you’re free to completely disregard the passive abilities, as on your adventure you’ll encounter numerous non-playable characters which can bolster your repertoire of the so-called, ‘’Dirty Deeds’’.
The choices that you make at the start of the game, in relation to the character creation, will determine your hero/heroine’s fundamental abilities, which cannot be altered in any significant way. So, if like me you’ll decide to start your adventure with a warrior and a cleric, then you’ll only be able to defeat your foes in hand-to-hand combat. However, if you’ll decide to invite a couple of rogues, or characters adept in range weaponry, then your approach to combat will change significantly, as non-hero combat manoeuvres such as backstabbing and explosive bolts will become your main damage dealers. During combat, you’ll have complete control of your entire party, as the turn-based combat system allows you to do so with unprecedented ease, however, once the combat is over, and you’re in control of the entire group, things are not as pleasant.
When traversing the diverse environments of Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition, you’re in complete control of only one character, and the remaining three companions follow you as you make your way to your desired point-of-interest. In open areas, free of any potential threat, the AI of your companions seems acceptable as they are roughly following the leader, however, once you enter an area that’s filled with poison, fire, and/or traps, things don’t go so well. No matter how hard you’ll try to navigate your crew past fire scorched grounds, or poison clouds, someone will always end up walking right through the middle of it. And if you are as unlucky as I am, then you’re entire party will run past a pressure plate which activates turrets filled with explosives, which can take you down with a single bolt. Yes – Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition allows you to control one character at the time, but if you decided to do so, there is a chance that you’ll come across hostile unit, and if so happens, then you can wave him/her goodbye, as he/she has no chance of survival when facing two or more enemies, and from that point on things can only go downhill.
Once you get accustomed to the overwhelming amount of options that Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition places in front of you, and at times infuriating AI, then you’ll finally be able to enjoy numerous intriguing plot-lines which Larian Studios, developer of the title, has created. On your way to glory you’ll come across stage artists, maidens, wizards, legionnaires, orcs, and salesmen/women, who all have quests for you in-store. And even the most trivial tasks, such as theft investigation, can, and usually are, aiding you in your quest for truth, which is usually much grander than a simple investigation. Also, the challenges which you are asked to overcome, are usually much more complex than the previously mentioned ‘A to B’ walk in a park, as in order to complete some quests you’ll have to break into NPCs’ bedrooms, ‘’redecorate’’ grave yards, or strong-arm the hard-working folk of the city of Cyseal.
As I’ve already mentioned, the quote-on-quote questing, within the world of Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition, is superb as most of the times it challenges you and pushes the boundaries of modern, conventional, RPGs. However, everything that entails the tasks that you are asked to perform, is incredibly inconsistent. When discussing matters of utmost importance, NPCs are emotional, and tonally imply their stance towards your statements or accusations, however, as soon as you change the subject, they suddenly become a different person, and are more than happy to provide you with the latest gossip. And after 20 or so hours with the game, I felt like I was locked inside a mental hospital filled with schizophrenics and people with dissociative personality disorders, rather than a fantasy world, as constant mood swings would regularly affect my perception of the game.
At one point, due to my lack of grace, I was forced to slaughter an entire family, which was relevant to one of the sub-plots, simply because I’ve decided to kick down their doors as I couldn’t find a key. And as soon as I’ve left the premises, of the now deceased persons, I was expecting to get instantly attacked by the legionnaires, or at least questioned, but to my surprise nothing happened, and I’ve just continued with the quest. Out of pure curiosity, I’ve also decided to discuss the matter of my ‘mistake’ with the legionnaire-in-chief, to see if I’m going to be punished, but even he didn’t seem to care that I’ve just slaughtered Cecil and his beloved wife.
In conclusion, Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition is an extremely intriguing and captivating game which goes above and beyond of what we have come to expect from the contemporary, mainstream RPGs. But ultimately, the inconsistencies within the game, and mindless AI can hamper the overall experience of the title. And the 1990’s styled quest log, which requires you to keep track of your every move, and blindly search for some locations, can put some individuals off completely, as not everyone will favour this type of game-design.