Divinity Divinity: Original Sin - Enhanced Edition

[anvi]

Witcher 3 was an exception though. I never thought I would see characters and 'scenes' in a game that were at least the quality of a tv show until I played that game. Also Blackguards at least seemed like it was written by a professional writer. Every other game seems like they are written by a try hard game tester or programmer or someone who thinks they can try their hand at writing a story. They are too wordy, and too storyish. All the dialogue is written like it is part of a story, and not like it is something someone would actually say. There is no narrative, just endless monologue or dialogue. And every NPC not only has too much to say, but will be unrealistically chatty even when you first meet them. And obvious lore is obvious, and is shoe horned into every sentence. They have no clue what suspension of disbelief even is. I never feel like I am watching some guy tell me about his woes, I just feel like I am watching some low polygon video game character reading his script. The standards in gaming is far too fucking low.

 

[gaussgunner]

The simple fact that you're spending a lot of time NOT braining cultists, undead, ORKZ and all sorts of wildlife or setting them on fire forces you to become invested in the story, it's themes, etc. just to follow the plot and do the quests, so the story, and themes, etc. - which as we have already have established are kind of crap and nauseatingly infantile at times - come to the front and become blockers of gameplay you want. Even though structurally, on purely abstract level most quests are expertly crafted

It's even worse than that long-ass castle setpiece in Divine Divinity where the imp takes your pyramids just to be a dick, then you're forced to perform easy hidden object fetch quests for a 12-year-old. That only takes 20 minutes if you don't overthink it. In DOS it's 4 hours here, a whole day there... fucking A.

(let's just never speak of two guys one stone, though, especially when you can get two stones at this point)

Recycled from the DivDiv tutorial level. Like a lot of the story. Zombie Jake, another murder mystery, I forget all the details, I just remember there was a lot. I know DOS is a prequel but still.... 10 YEARS!! should be enough time to write better, original stories.
There is only one word for this...

you can teleport ooze barrels on top of guys you've set aflame again.

DOS's other redeeming feature :D

The "suddenly the End of Time" twist was actually VERY welcome as it broke the monotony and introduced some story elements that weren't worn out cliches or saccharine overdoses.

It broke the 5th wall, or something, for me. Coming from halfway through DivDiv, thinking I'm just a Marked One (marked for death), now I find out I'm a god. Usually a red flag.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

Can you provide an example of RPGs which take themselves too seriously in the writing department and become drab because of it? I see this argument very often but I haven't seen any examples.

Ever heard of Bioware?

 

[Lacrymas]

Bioware's writing is in the "so bad it's amusing" category and I wouldn't say they take it seriously, all their plots are basically the same and it's not very serious. They are also on the pandering side of things. PoE is the best example by far.

 

[DragoFireheart]

Ok so I'm playing this still.

I've learned that if I don't take the story seriously but accept it for what it is (B-movie quality humor) then it's better than I initially thought. With that in mind along with the great combat it's a 9/10 game easily.

 

[Mangoose]

Bioware's writing is in the "so bad it's amusing" category and I wouldn't say they take it seriously, all their plots are basically the same and it's not very serious. They are also on the pandering side of things. PoE is the best example by far.

Bioware's writing post BG2 is so bad but not amusing.

And what exactly does PoE have to do with Bioware?

 

[toduah]

Bioware's writing is in the "so bad it's amusing" category and I wouldn't say they take it seriously, all their plots are basically the same and it's not very serious. They are also on the pandering side of things. PoE is the best example by far.

Bioware's writing post BG2 is so bad but not amusing.

And what exactly does PoE have to do with Bioware?

What is the redeeming quality of BG? "rose tinted glasses" i was 10-ish when i played BG 1 or 2 (meh, don't remember which one it was, they're both shit.)

I LOVED Fallout, could never get into BG, what am I missing?

 

[Black]

what am I missing?

Being a teenager.

 

[Mustawd]

Bioware's writing is in the "so bad it's amusing" category and I wouldn't say they take it seriously, all their plots are basically the same and it's not very serious. They are also on the pandering side of things. PoE is the best example by far.

Bioware's writing post BG2 is so bad but not amusing.

And what exactly does PoE have to do with Bioware?

What is the redeeming quality of BG? "rose tinted glasses" i was 10-ish when i played BG 1 or 2 (meh, don't remember which one it was, they're both shit.)

I LOVED Fallout, could never get into BG, what am I missing?

You're missing a very well produced game that fucked it all up with horrible RTwP. So until it gets ported to ToEE engine in 2025, not much.

 

[Mangoose]

Bioware's writing is in the "so bad it's amusing" category and I wouldn't say they take it seriously, all their plots are basically the same and it's not very serious. They are also on the pandering side of things. PoE is the best example by far.

Bioware's writing post BG2 is so bad but not amusing.

And what exactly does PoE have to do with Bioware?

What is the redeeming quality of BG? "rose tinted glasses" i was 10-ish when i played BG 1 or 2 (meh, don't remember which one it was, they're both shit.)

I LOVED Fallout, could never get into BG, what am I missing?

I'm not sure why you value an opinion you made as a 10 year old. Back then I thought getting bit by a fly would turn me into a superhero.

I'm also not sure how you can make a judgment about two games when you've only played one of them...

As for what you are missing. Well, there are huge gameplay differences between the two, both micro- and macro-wise. Might as well be two different sub-genres.

Also, what Mustawd said about RTwP.

 

[pippin]

Take in mind that what people often say about BG being awesome or something like that, they are often talking about bg2. While they share many things, BG1 and 2 are very different.

 

[Lacrymas]

There's nothing extraordinary about BG1's writing in of itself, but it is so unobtrusive and literally serviceable (with no inherent criticism, it really is just serviceable in the most neutral sense) that in that way it's fine. BG1 is not a bad game, it just suffers from structural problems.

 

[Perkel]

BTW people how is expanded edition ?

I played only vanilla.

 

[lukaszek]

deterministic system > RNG

 

[anvi]

Game was way too easy, but also too simple. Too much derp from fire on oil etc. It needed a bit more depth. I liked the combat but it just needed more. I am hoping DOS2 will do that.

 

[lukaszek]

deterministic system > RNG

 

[anvi]

Cool. I am thinking the teleport spell might be more useful if you can send stuff to a different level and it has to run around to get back. It is a cool combat system, so much potential. I hope they get it right. Would love there to be more standard spells too, debuffs etc.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

cheese vendor is worse

This one thing is unforgivable.

 

[Septaryeth]

BTW people how is expanded edition ?

I played only vanilla.

Got my bro playing the enhanced edition and I think he's stuck in the mirror maze when you are escaping from...the red ugh...whatever her name is.
Funny thing is apparently the maze is generated randomly so he couldn't even search for a solution online.
There are also new mini dungeons and battles involve around Strife and the red lady he mind controlled.
They also changed the ending for the twins thus you have to choose, unlike the classics.

 

[Dwarvophile]

The gameplay in this game is so ridiculously fun ! I's the first time I see a RPG with combat system that beat TOEE's in fun and maybe even in tactical depth. So here I am playing it again and having a blast despite a story, lore and art which are to say the least not my cup of tea...

Anyway, I would like to give my rogue some magic powers and hesitate between aerothurge and witchcraft. Knowing I have also a point in marksman, whgat do you think guiys, should I stay and ficus on scoundrel and marksman ? Add some wichcraft ? Or some air lemental magic ?

 

[vmar]

Go for it, giving pretty much any character a point or two in some magic skills is always beneficial.

 

[Deleted Member 16721]

I doubled down on Marksman with my rogue character. Why? I really don't think all characters need magic skills, especially the rogue since arrows are going to be incredibly useful and most of the rogue's turns will be spent firing them. I had a single magic character (a Witch, I think) who focused on Witchcraft and Hydrosophist. It worked really well since other characters can use scrolls when needed. Grenades are great, too.

 

[DragoFireheart]

Game was way too easy, but also too simple. Too much derp from fire on oil etc. It needed a bit more depth. I liked the combat but it just needed more. I am hoping DOS2 will do that.

dos ee is hurt by grenades existence and that most encounters start with enemies grouped together.
When asked about it sven said that in dos2 enemies will be positioned better and using environment(higher ground). It sounds to me like aoe (+dot) attacks will no longer be that potent

Grenades are only really OP in the early game.

Once you reach the forest they start to taper off.

Marksmen is the god skill. Arrows are amazing at most stages of the game. Fire/Explosive/Knockdown will hold you over for the early parts with zombies. Around level 6-7 or so when your bow is stronger, bow skills start to do massive damage. Once you get Rain of Arrows the game is basically over.

Magic is next in the god level. Specifically, Hail Attack from Hydrosophist. I've also heard good things about Meteor Shower and Deadly Spores + fire field. Witchcraft has Rapture (charm is amazing). Aerotheurge is sorta the weakest of the bunch, but with the Rain spell many air magic spells become amazing either in improved success rate or things like electrifying pools of water

Madora is easily one of the better companions. She gets the Comeback kid talent for free and is specced as Two-handed warrior. Offensive stance + Rage + Oath Of Desecration = one-shot kills. Same combo works for Marksmen but Madora is Queen of sustained single-target damage.

Scoundrel is only good for one point. Rogues are shit for combat, use them only for stealing and opening chests.

Bairdotr is stupid and annoying plus her stats are somewhat messed up. She has a point in Tenebrium, use her as your crafting mule.

 

[lukaszek]

deterministic system > RNG

 

[DragoFireheart]

Madora is easily one of the better companions. She gets the Comeback kid talent for free and is specced as Two-handed warrior. Offensive stance + Rage + Oath Of Desecration = one-shot kills. Same combo works for Marksmen but Madora is Queen of sustained single-target damage.

warrior without a shield is a waste

Scoundrel is only good for one point. Rogues are shit for combat, use them only for stealing and opening chests.

whats so shitty about them? Having only 1 point in scoundrel might be a hint...

Warriors WITH a shield are a waste. wtf are you talking about?

Rogues skills beyond Novice are ass. That's why they suck.