Divinity: Original Sin is a role-playing video game created and published by Larian Studios. It is the fourth main game in the Divinity series and comes before the original game, Divine Divinity, and the other main games in the series. The game was first released for Microsoft Windows on June 30, 2014.
The game was partly supported by money raised through Kickstarter. It includes a tool that lets players create their own single-player and multiplayer adventures and share them online. A new version called Divinity: Original Sin – Enhanced Edition was released in 2015. This version includes more story details and new gameplay choices. It was available for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, and OS X. Critics praised the game for helping to update the role-playing game genre. A follow-up game, Divinity: Original Sin II, was released in 2017.
Gameplay
Divinity: Original Sin is a role-playing game (RPG) set in the Divinity universe. The game follows the story of two heroes. It includes turn-based action and adventure, allows players to team up with others in cooperative multiplayer, features a world where players can explore and make choices that affect the story, and provides a tool that lets players create new game content.
Plot
The customizable main characters in the game are a pair of "Source Hunters," members of a group that works to eliminate a dangerous type of magic called "Source" and those who use it. In the single-player mode, the player controls both characters. In two-player co-op mode, each player controls one character. At the start of the game, the Source Hunters receive orders to investigate the murder of a town councilor in Cyseal, a port town in southern Rivellon, which is suspected to have been committed by a Sourcerer. Upon arriving in Cyseal, they find the town under attack by orcs and undead creatures. They soon learn that the attack was planned by a Sourcerer group connected to the Immaculates, a cult located in the Luculla Forest farther inland. They also find evidence that the White Witch, who protects the Luculla Forest, may be involved in the murder. Their search for her leads them to the fairy realm of Hiberheim, where they find her trapped in a block of ice by the leader of the Immaculates, known as the Conduit. After being freed, she introduces herself as Icara and admits she accidentally killed the councilor. However, the Source Hunters, having discovered proof of the Immaculates' use of Sourcery, mass murder, and human sacrifice, decide to team up with Icara against their shared enemy. Icara reveals that the Conduit is actually her estranged sister, Leandra, and tells the Source Hunters to infiltrate the Immaculates to learn Leandra's plans. The Source Hunters discover that the Immaculates are mining a highly toxic metal called "tenebrium" in the Luculla Mines. There, they encounter "Death Knights," unbreakable undead warriors created by Leandra using tenebrium and the Source to conquer Rivellon. Leandra tries to destroy the mines to kill the Source Hunters, but they escape with a device that makes Death Knights weak.
Throughout the game, the Source Hunters sometimes find magical crystals called "Star Stones" (some of which have been turned into "blood stones" by the Immaculates' sacrifices). When they find the first Star Stone, they are taken to the "Homestead," a mysterious fortress outside of normal spacetime that feels familiar to both characters. As they collect more Star Stones, they learn from them that the Source was originally a kind of magic linked to Astarte, the goddess of life, before it was corrupted by the Void, a dark force from outside the material world. The Source Hunters are later revealed to be reincarnations of two ancient generals, a man and a woman, who trapped the corrupted Source inside an artifact called "the God Box" and were given godlike powers to protect it. However, a demonic being named "the Trife" convinced Astarte to open the box, releasing the corruption, which took the form of a giant dragon that Astarte has fought forever in the Void. As punishment for failing to stop the corruption, the Guardians (the ancient generals) were stripped of their powers and memories and were reborn in Rivellon as ordinary humans. The Star Stones are actually pieces of their lost memories. Icara tells the Source Hunters that the Trife is now influencing Leandra to weaken Astarte and unleash the Void Dragon on the world. She urges the Source Hunters to stop Leandra by either restoring the "soulforge" (a psychic connection between Leandra and Icara that Leandra broke) or by killing her if needed.
The Source Hunters follow Leandra's trail to the town of Hunter's Edge near the Phantom Forest, which is now controlled by the Immaculates, orcs, and barbarian mercenaries. They find directions left by Zandalor, Icara's lover and Leandra's enemy, pointing them to an ancient Source Temple hidden deeper in the forest. Inside the Temple, they meet Zandalor, who tells them that Leandra's goal is to reach the God Box in the First Garden, which can be accessed from the Homestead. In the First Garden, the Source Hunters confront Leandra. If they have found a way to restore the soulforge in the Phantom Forest earlier, they can help Leandra realize her mistakes, and she will leave with Icara and Zandalor to make amends. If not, they must fight and kill her. After reaching the God Box, the Source Hunters team up with Astarte to defeat the Trife. Before they can succeed, the Trife summons the Void Dragon. In a huge battle, they manage to send the Dragon back into the God Box, and Astarte stays to guard it again for eternity. She thanks the Source Hunters and tells them that other gods allowed the Source to be corrupted. The Source Hunters then leave the First Garden to begin a new adventure.
Development
A crowdfunding campaign was started on Kickstarter on March 27, 2013. Larian used the platform to raise more money to add more content to the game and improve how the game world responds to player actions. The campaign was completed by April 26, 2013, and raised nearly $950,000. Additional donations brought the total to over $1,000,000, which was part of the game’s total budget of €4 million.
The game was originally planned for release in late 2013 but was delayed until February 28, 2014. It was later delayed again until June 30, 2014. Larian initially planned to release Windows and OS X versions of the game at the same time. They said making a Linux version would be easy once the OS X version was completed. However, they decided to delay the OS X and Linux versions to focus on improving gameplay. Support for Linux and Mac was added on December 23, 2015, as part of the Enhanced Edition of the game.
An updated version of the game, which includes new content like a longer story and new game features, was announced for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles in May 2015. The updated version was released for Windows on October 27, 2015, and later for Linux and OS X on December 23, 2015. The console version was published by Focus Home Interactive. This version was free for all players who had already purchased the PC version of the game.
Reception
Divinity: Original Sin received good reviews from many sources. On Metacritic, a website that collects reviews, it was Larian Studios' most highly rated game until Original Sin II was released in 2017. Eurogamer called it "the best classic-style RPG in years" and recommended it to fans of role-playing games, noting that players should be ready for a challenge. GameSpot praised the game's complex systems, beautiful world, exciting turn-based battles, and strong story. IGN said it was "one of the most rewarding RPGs in years" and highlighted its depth, unique features, and challenging combat. PC Gamer appreciated the freedom players had, the detailed simulation, and how the game respected choices made by players. Hardcore Gamer noted that the lack of guidance might confuse new players and that the difficulty level could be more consistent, but still praised the game overall.
GameSpot named it the best PC game of the year. Rock, Paper, Shotgun called it "The Best Kickstarter Of 2014." At the 18th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Divinity: Original Sin for "Role-Playing/Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year."
Russian video game observer Tony Vilgotsky gave the game high praise, writing in his review for Mir Fantastiki that Divinity: Original Sin is not just another RPG about orcs and magic, but a world that feels truly interesting and worth exploring.
Within one week of its release, the game sold more than 160,000 copies, making it Larian Studios' fastest-selling game. By September 2014, sales had reached over 500,000 copies.
Sequel
A sequel to the game, called Divinity: Original Sin II, was released on 14 September 2017. A board game version of the game began on Kickstarter in November 2019.