Divinity: Original Sin 2 - A Slow Burn RPG Game
If Divinity: Original Sin 2’s slow start is putting you off, don’t write the RPG game off just yet. While it’s true that it takes a while for the action to pick up in Larian’s sequel, there’s a rich world, an immersive story, and numerous secrets to uncover, and once it gets going, it becomes really fun.
“Divinity: Original Sin 2 is slow” is a common refrain among fans who have returned to the game after some time away, but there’s a good reason for that. When you pick up a new RPG game, you want to feel like you’re making progress. You want to unlock new abilities, level up, and get to grips with your surroundings. Larian’s sequel is deliberate, rich, and immersive, but it’s not necessarily fast-paced.
“Divinity: Original Sin 2 is slow” is a refrain you’ll see repeated by fans of the RPG genre, but is it really? I’ve played a lot of games that are slow, but they’re slow for good reasons. So I wonder if the complaint is really saying, “I expected something else and this isn’t it.” If Divinity: Original Sin 2 were fast, it would be more like a Borderlands or Fallout game, which wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, but it would be a different experience.
Some fans express hesitation about giving Divinity: Original Sin 2 another chance, despite loving its combat and world, because of the slow beginning. Others are willing to give the game another go, but only after a break.
“Yeah, I played a lot of other games since I finished it and, I admit, the first few hours are a bit slow,” one user writes. “But if you give it another chance I think you’ll enjoy it.”
“It takes a while to get going, but I honestly consider it one of the best RPGs ever,” another replies. “I had the same experience with the first game and also with Torment: Tides of Numenera.”
“Divinity 1 and 2 have a slow start but are ultimately fantastic games,” another writes. “I just had a break of a few months, and I’m really enjoying it.”
So what’s the appeal of a slow-paced game? For me, it’s that a deliberate game puts the emphasis on the world and story. Rather than rush through combat and basic exploration to get to the next setpiece, you’re encouraged to explore the world at your own pace and think about what you’re doing.
I’ve got a lot of hours in Divinity: Original Sin 2 already, and I’m enjoying it so far, but I’m in no rush. I’m taking my time, exploring the rich world, and learning about the complex politics of the region. While combat is fun, it’s not the driving force of the game, and it takes time for it to become flashy, so even if that’s your thing, be prepared to wait.
But if you do give Divinity: Original Sin 2 time, you might find that it’s satisfying on almost every level. It’s a slow-paced game, but it offers a rich world, a great story, and plenty of opportunities to find new and interesting ways to approach gameplay.
Ultimately, whether you enjoy Divinity: Original Sin 2 depends on what you’re looking for in a game. If you’re after a quick, action-packed experience, then Larian’s RPG won’t quite scratch that itch. If you’re willing to go with a game that takes its time and offers something richer and more immersive, then it’s definitely worth a look.
What’s your experience with Divinity: Original Sin 2? Was it a slow burn for you, or did the sequel pick up from the start?
