Divinity: Original Sin 2 is an exceptional game, the overarching narrative and combat loops are immersive and extremely fun to engage with.
Each encounter can be navigated in a plethora of ways all designed to push you as a player, if that means sneaking around the map and pilfering the things you want. Or if you murder-hobo everything on the map, you are given complete freedom of choice. The villains draw blurred lines on what is right and what is wrong on a grand scale and for the smaller plot points with each origin character's storyline. Unless you are Lohse of course, her villain is actually just an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ but in being one they push you to make morally grey choices of your own to overcome her own situation.
The skills in game work incredibly well, such a diverse range of spells and abilities that genuinely just feel fun to engage with. Each region is locked inside of a struggle of its own, and I don't just mean each act. Every city, every camp damn near every square inch of this game has something for you to sink your teeth into as you explore (quite literally if you're an elf).
All of this is true and MORE, until you get to act 4 (Arx).
You are free to enjoy the game in absolutely any way you see fit throughout the entirety of acts 1 through 3.
However, when you rock up to the last act you are forced to lock in and adopt new strategies that almost render your earlier playstyles useless. Not that it's impossible, but every fight IS an uphill battle unless you research and respec your party. As I'm writing this from a viewpoint of my first playthrough this wall was something new to overcome and because I personally enjoy that I think this really adds something to the later parts of the game.
If we compare the last act of Divinity OS 2 to BG3, this game is infinitely harder. You NEED to use every bit of utility you can to prevent getting wiped constantly. Which overall I feel is a pleasant experience, yes it can be frustrating to know that your earlier builds become obsolete. But you are chasing Divinity, you're not just stopping the absolute. You're contending with forces that wield power on a whole other scale whilst trying to seize it yourself.
My party roster through the whole game was Lohse (my MC), The Red Prince, Ifan & Fane. I have grown to invest myself in all of their stories even despite the hardships of Arx. When it came to Baldurs Gate 3, I felt less invested in the inner conflict with each of the main cast but DOS2 handles this brilliantly. The game is harder, the characters are more diverse and interesting and the world is incredible.
Final rating:
8/10 - An inspiring playthrough.
