The gaming world is buzzing with speculation, fueled by a mysterious, spiky monolith appearing in the Mojave Desert. This enigmatic structure, adorned with an eye-like orb and demonic figures, hints at a major reveal for The Game Awards 2025. Following recent trademark registrations, it appears the acclaimed studio Larian, celebrated for the monumental success of Baldur’s Gate 3, is preparing to unveil its next project: a return to its beloved “Divinity” universe. For the millions of players introduced to Larian through their D&D masterpiece, the name “Divinity” might be unfamiliar. However, for long-time fans, it signals the Belgian developer’s return to its own rich fantasy world, potentially bringing a fresh wave of enthusiasts along for the ride. If these clues truly point to a new Divinity title, newcomers might want a quick introduction to what awaits them. Let this guide serve as your primer to Larian’s original epic.
Welcome to Rivellon
Just as Baldur’s Gate is set within the vast confines of the Forgotten Realms, the Divinity series unfolds in its own unique and expansive world: Rivellon. This realm shares common ground with traditional fantasy, featuring medieval landscapes and recognizable archetypes, yet it possesses a distinct charm. In Rivellon, players encounter diverse races, including humans, elves, dwarves, reptilian beings, and the undead, reminiscent of classic fantasy settings. Magic is a prevalent force, though sorcery often carries a stigma, facing stricter regulations compared to the more freely wielded arcana of the Sword Coast. Rivellon, however, is far from a typical fantasy land. It integrates eclectic elements, from subtle steampunk influences to occasional sci-fi touches, lending it a quirky edge. The world also embraces a playful, often humorous tone, drawing inspiration from works like Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. Despite its lighter moments, Rivellon boasts an intricate history and profound lore, meticulously developed across multiple game installments. This vibrant setting provides a backdrop for compelling narratives, unconstrained by external rule sets like those governing Dungeons & Dragons, allowing Larian full creative liberty.
What is Divinity?
The Divinity series encompasses a range of RPGs, notable for its evolving and unconventional gameplay styles. Across its six main entries, Larian has explored several distinct formats. Early titles like Divine Divinity and its successor, Beyond Divinity, were action RPGs with strong influences from the Diablo series. The shift continued with Divinity 2: Ego Draconis, which presented a third-person RPG experience, drawing closer comparisons to games like Dragon Age or The Witcher. Larian even ventured into strategy with Divinity: Dragon Commander, incorporating elements akin to Total War. Most recently, the Original Sin duology redefined the series, offering classic isometric RPG gameplay that significantly informed Baldur’s Gate 3’s design. This diverse history means predicting the format of a new Divinity game is challenging, though following Baldur’s Gate 3‘s success, a similar turn-based, isometric approach seems plausible. Each game also stands largely independent within the timeline, often separated by centuries, allowing new players to jump in without prior knowledge. This approach is likely to continue, especially with a new project simply titled “Divinity,” inviting fresh audiences.
What Does “Divinity” Mean?
The very essence of the series’ name, “Divinity,” is deeply rooted in its intricate lore. Millennia before the events depicted in the inaugural game, the governing body of Rivellon, known as the Council of Seven, made the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard their realm from malevolent sorcerers. In their honor, the “Divine Order” was established, tasked with preserving and transmitting their profound wisdom to successive generations. As prophecies foretold, a messianic figure would emerge to protect Rivellon from the encroaching threat of a demon called Chaos. Players take on the role of this prophesied savior in Divine Divinity, ultimately ascending to become Lucian the Divine. This pivotal character makes subsequent appearances, playing a role in Divinity 2: Ego Draconis and a significant part in Divinity: Original Sin 2. While the concept of the Divine forms a core aspect of the overarching narrative, its direct significance varies between titles, not always serving as the immediate central plot point for every installment.
How Similar is Divinity to Baldur’s Gate 3?
Due to the series’ extensive evolution, many early Divinity titles differ considerably from Larian’s approach in Baldur’s Gate 3. However, the Original Sin duology, particularly Divinity: Original Sin 2, serves as the direct spiritual precursor and design foundation for BG3. Both are isometric RPGs featuring expansive worlds, deep tactical turn-based combat, and a player-driven, “hands-off” quest design that encourages exploration and creative problem-solving. Original Sin 2 stands out as Larian’s most polished prior work, excelling in both gameplay depth and narrative strength. It pioneered the “origin story” characters, much like BG3’s companions, providing unique perspectives and compelling personal quests. The game also introduced the “tags” system, enabling character-specific dialogue options that enhance role-playing based on race or class. A standout feature is the elemental interaction system: players can cast rain to drench enemies, then electrify the water, or spill oil and ignite it, creating dynamic battlefield scenarios. This elemental interplay was refined in Baldur’s Gate 3 but remains far more pervasive and impactful in Original Sin 2, often leading to spectacular, arena-wide chain reactions.
How to Play the Divinity Games in Order
As previously noted, the extensive timeline gaps between Divinity games mean there are no direct, immediate sequels, allowing players significant flexibility in choosing their entry point. For those who enjoyed Baldur’s Gate 3 and want a taste of Divinity, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is highly recommended; it is widely considered the pinnacle of the series and a fantastic introduction to Larian’s distinctive RPG design. Initially a PC exclusive, it is now available across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and even iPad. However, for players keen to explore the entire overarching lore and chronological history of Rivellon, here’s the full series order:
- Divinity: Dragon Commander (2013): A unique real-time strategy game with dragon combat, set thousands of years before the main RPG titles, detailing the earliest known period of Rivellon’s history.
- Divinity: Original Sin (2014): A classic-style CRPG featuring turn-based combat, taking place approximately 1000 years before the events of Divine Divinity. It follows Source Hunters investigating dangerous magic.
- Divine Divinity (2002): Larian’s inaugural title in the series, an action RPG in the vein of Diablo, chronicling the rise of Lucian, who becomes known as the Divine.
- Beyond Divinity (2004): An ARPG sequel to Divine Divinity, set two decades later. It tells the story of a hero soul-bound to a malevolent Death Knight, forcing them to cooperate.
- Divinity: Original Sin 2 (2017): A critically acclaimed CRPG that serves as a gameplay sequel to Original Sin, but narratively occurs after the events of Divine Divinity and Beyond Divinity, focusing on the emergence of Voidwoken monsters.
- Divinity 2: Ego Draconis (2009): A 3D action RPG set several decades after Lucian’s ascension. Players take on the role of a Dragon Knight, capable of transforming into a dragon, navigating a world where the Divine’s adopted son has become a tyrannical ruler.
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