The console port of Divinity: Original Sin 2, one of the greatest role-playing games ever made, is just about the best the developers could’ve done. It’s a solid port. It’s just not quite as perfect as the PC version.
Tomorrow, Larian Studios will release the “Definitive Edition” of Divinity: Original Sin 2. PC players will receive a free update that includes an overwhelming list of changes (seriously, look at them all). The game will also be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for the first time, allowing a whole new audience to play my favourite RPG of the modern era.
Divinity: Original Sin 2, like its predecessor, is an isometric role-playing game with tons of dialogue options, intricate systems, and strategic combat. It was designed to be played with a mouse and keyboard, and that remains the best way to play it, but Larian has put together all sorts of tricks to make it feel decent on a controller.
You can quickly zip to the inventory or character screen by holding the right trigger, for example. Holding down X will open up a circular “multi-search” tool that lets you examine several objects or containers at once:
It all works nicely, but it also adds a layer of extra clunkiness that just isn’t there when you’re playing with a mouse and keyboard. For example, on PC you can access your abilities with a single click or numerical key.
On a PS4 controller, you need to press triangle, then manually navigate to whichever ability you want to use.
Also, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a game full of elaborate graphical effects (as Kirk showcased earlier this year).
Just walking around the first area, the Fort Joy Ghetto, is enough to get the game’s frame rate dropping on PS4, and when you start introducing fire, things can get hairy.
So here’s my advice: Play Divinity: Original Sin 2. No matter what. If you can, play it on PC, but if you have to settle for the console version, I think you’re still going to have a damn good time.
Comments
3 responses to “Divinity: Original Sin 2 Isn’t Quite The Same On Consoles”
So basically this story is just to say the console port is clunky and play it on pc if you can?! Both is too be expected. And I am pretty sure most gamers already know of you can play something on pc it’s best to do it.
Clunky. Isn’t new. It is isn’t unique to Original Sin 2. I have been playing a lot of Cities Skylines, Pillars of Eternity and Original Sin on console, it is so great to finally having meaty games on console but the trade off is always the controls. So much so I don’t even think about it now. It’s just a simply reality. If a game is good and if it grips you ultimately learn to not even notice things like that.
When I saw the headline I was expecting a horror tale how they have changed something or removed a lot of features. Phew.
Actually he said play it how ever you can. But we always appreciate your input and witty commentary as per usual :/
I haven’t started the 2nd game yet but I found the first to be a little more clunky on the PC than I would have liked. I actually started the game on the Xbone first and thought it controlled better for the most part which is ridiculous for a PC-designed RPG.
Please tell me you can click on the map to move the camera the sequel. Having to scroll wherever I wanted to go killed me.
Haven’t got time/inclination to read through all of those changes but holy geezus is it good to see them not resting on their laurels!
Best bit seems to be the number of changes they’re making in the third act – won’t say too much but if there’s an area that needed a bit more pizzaz/polish it’s that. Good luck everyone who’s setting out for the first time, an amazing experience awaits if you can get into it!
With so many games around nowadays it’s hard to justify replaying a 100hr+ game I only played six months ago but i’ll certainly have to double dip at some point, just to try other classes/characters etc.
If it’s the same control scheme as was in the first release’s console port, it’ll be fine. Sure, it’s clunky at first, but very quickly you become very comfortable with it and can whizz around at speed.
Hopefully the Xbox One X can stabilise that framerate. I already have it on PC but I’m an achievement whore so will have to double dip.
I missed the first Divinity. Can i jump into #2 without knowing the lore/story from the first game?