After the monumental success of Baldur’s Gate 3, gaming enthusiasts worldwide eagerly anticipate what Larian Studios will tackle next. For long-time fans of the acclaimed Belgian developer, the answer is a familiar one: Divinity. This new project marks a return to Larian’s critically beloved and long-running fantasy series, a universe they meticulously crafted before venturing into the Forgotten Realms. For many who discovered Larian through their recent D&D epic, the name “Divinity” might be new, but it represents the bedrock upon which their unique brand of RPG design was built. Let’s delve into what this means for Larian’s exciting new venture.
Welcome to Rivellon
Much like how Baldur’s Gate 3 transports players to the established Dungeons & Dragons world of the Forgotten Realms, Larian’s Divinity series unfolds within its own vibrant and richly imagined setting: the world of Rivellon. This realm shares broad fantasy roots with familiar universes, featuring classic medieval aesthetics, diverse biomes, and iconic races. You’ll encounter humans, elves, dwarves, enigmatic lizardfolk, and the spectral undead, each with their own cultures and histories. Magic is a pervasive force in Rivellon, though its practice is often viewed with suspicion and subject to stricter regulations than the widespread sorcery found on the Sword Coast. Larian’s unique touch shines through with elements of steampunk and even hints of sci-fi woven into the fabric of Rivellon, lending it a quirky, distinct personality. The world frequently showcases a playful side, influenced by the whimsical yet profound narratives of authors like Terry Pratchett, creating a setting that is both deeply storied and delightfully unconventional. Ultimately, Rivellon is Larian’s canvas, offering stories of grand adventure unbound by external rules.
What is Divinity?
Divinity encompasses a diverse role-playing game series that has served as Larian Studios’ primary creative outlet for over a decade before Baldur’s Gate 3. The franchise is notable for its constant evolution in gameplay style across its numerous titles. The earliest entries, suchs as Divine Divinity and Beyond Divinity, adopted an action RPG format reminiscent of the Diablo series. Later, Divinity 2: Ego Draconis shifted to a third-person action RPG perspective, offering a different kind of immersion. Larian even experimented with real-time strategy in Divinity: Dragon Commander. However, the most recent and acclaimed additions, the Original Sin duology, transitioned back to classic isometric CRPG design with tactical turn-based combat, a style that clearly informed Baldur’s Gate 3. This new game, simply titled “Divinity,” marks a pivotal moment. Larian’s founder, Swen Vincke, has expressed that this title aims to consolidate all their previous achievements into a more expansive, profound, and intimate experience, representing the ultimate vision for the series they’ve always aspired to create. The initial hints suggest a world where “The gods are silent. Rivellon bleeds. New powers stir,” setting the stage for a dramatic new narrative.
What Does “Divinity” Mean?
The name Divinity is deeply rooted in the foundational lore of Larian’s universe. Thousands of years before the events of the very first game, Divine Divinity, the esteemed Council of Seven made the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard Rivellon from powerful evil mages. In their honor, the “Divine Order” was established, tasked with preserving and passing on their ancient knowledge to future generations. Central to this lore is a prophecy foretelling the arrival of a messianic figure, destined to protect Rivellon from its next great threat, a malevolent entity known as Chaos. Players of the original Divine Divinity step into the role of this prophesied savior, ultimately ascending to become Lucian the Divine. Lucian’s influence and presence echo through subsequent games, as he makes notable appearances in titles like Divinity 2: Ego Draconis and Divinity: Original Sin 2. While the concept of the Divine remains a crucial thematic element throughout the franchise, shaping the world’s history and its characters’ destinies, the direct pursuit of divinity isn’t always the central plot point of every single game, allowing for diverse narratives within the overarching mythology.
How Similar is Divinity to Baldur’s Gate 3?
Given the dramatic shifts in gameplay across the Divinity series, direct comparisons to Baldur’s Gate 3 aren’t uniformly applicable. However, the last two entries, Divinity: Original Sin and especially Divinity: Original Sin 2, serve as the undeniable precursors and the very blueprint for much of what players adored in Baldur’s Gate 3. These titles feature the familiar isometric perspective, expansive explorable regions, highly tactical turn-based combat, and Larian’s characteristic hands-off approach to quest design, empowering players with immense freedom. Original Sin 2, in particular, pioneered many innovations that later shone in BG3. It introduced complex origin story characters—pre-written companions with rich backstories and personal questlines, reminiscent of BG3’s beloved cast. Furthermore, the game established a sophisticated “tags” system, providing unique dialogue options based on a character’s race, class, or background, significantly enhancing roleplaying depth. One of the series’ most celebrated mechanics is its intricate elemental interaction system, allowing players to combine environmental effects with spells—such as creating a wet surface with rain then electrocuting enemies, or igniting oil spills for massive fire damage. While Baldur’s Gate 3 incorporated some of this environmental interplay, it was a much more central and explosive feature in the Original Sin games, often leading to dynamic, arena-wide elemental chaos.
How to Play the Divinity Games in Order
Due to the significant chronological gaps separating the various titles, playing the Divinity games in strict narrative order isn’t a necessity. Each game largely stands on its own, offering self-contained stories. For newcomers, particularly those who enjoyed Baldur’s Gate 3, the best starting point is unequivocally Divinity: Original Sin 2. It’s widely considered the series’ peak, capturing Larian’s signature design philosophy in its most refined form, and is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and even iPad. However, for enthusiasts eager to delve deep into Rivellon’s extensive lore and experience the full timeline, here is the chronological order of the series:
- Divinity: Dragon Commander (2013)
This grand strategy game is set thousands of years before any of the RPGs, providing a historical foundation for Rivellon.
- Divinity: Original Sin (2014)
A classic CRPG with turn-based combat, set approximately 1000 years prior to the events of the original Divine Divinity. It focuses on a pair of “Source Hunters” investigating forbidden magic.
- Divine Divinity (2002)
The inaugural ARPG in the series, charting the player character’s journey to becoming Lucian the Divine.
- Beyond Divinity (2004)
An ARPG sequel to Divine Divinity, taking place 20 years later. It tells the story of one of Lucian’s loyal servants, soul-bound to an evil Death Knight.
- Divinity 2: Ego Draconis (2009)
A 3D action RPG set decades after Lucian’s ascension. Players embody a Dragon Knight in a time when the Divine’s adoptive son has become a tyrannical ruler.
- Divinity: Original Sin 2 (2017)
While a design successor to Original Sin, its narrative unfolds after the events of Divine Divinity and Beyond Divinity, dealing with an outbreak of monstrous “Voidwoken” creatures.
With Larian Studios poised to unveil their next chapter in this beloved universe, both seasoned fans and new adventurers from Baldur’s Gate 3 have much to look forward to in the rich, evolving world of Divinity.
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