Divine Divinity

85%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,333 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Divine Divinity Game Cover
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In Divine Divinity, a critically acclaimed RPG, you are the Chosen One destined to unite the seven races of Rivellon and prevent the birth of the Lord of Chaos. With a classless character development system, explore an expansive world, battle Chaos, and enjoy enhanced graphics in this re-mastered version. Over 100 hours of hack-and-slash action and non-linear quests await in this epic adventure.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

85%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,333 reviews
story202 positive mentions
grinding55 negative mentions
  • Engaging and humorous storyline with plenty of side quests and character interactions.
  • Open-ended character customization allows players to mix skills from different classes.
  • Rich world filled with secrets, easter eggs, and a charming atmosphere.
  • Frequent crashes and bugs can break quests and hinder gameplay.
  • Combat can feel clunky and unbalanced, with some skills being overpowered while others are nearly useless.
  • Lack of clear guidance on quests can lead to confusion and frustration for players.
  • story676 mentions

    The story in "Divine Divinity" is often described as a mix of traditional RPG elements with a humorous twist, featuring a classic "chosen one" narrative that, while somewhat generic, is enriched by engaging side quests and memorable characters. Players appreciate the depth and variety of quests, though many note that the main storyline can feel derivative and lacks significant twists. Additionally, the game suffers from numerous bugs that can break quests, necessitating the use of guides to navigate the complex quest structure effectively.

    • “The story is executed very well and intrigues the player to delve deeper until the climax. The side quests are also extremely satisfying.”
    • “It combines a rich, detailed story with classic gameplay, wrapped in a dark, immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The main story isn't overly special, but it does have a few interesting parts.”
    • “However, too ambitious for its own good, everything is stretched too thin: the world feels mundane, the story extremely derivative (two shots of Christian Bible in a glass of LOTR), the labyrinthine dungeons repetitive, and it drags on and on.”
    • “The story is painfully generic and the experience seems to be akin to pulling teeth.”
    • “The main problem with this game is that the quests are too spread out and many times you're left hanging with no information on how to proceed with the quest.”
  • gameplay254 mentions

    The gameplay of "Divine Divinity" is a mix of classic isometric RPG mechanics reminiscent of titles like Diablo, featuring a blend of hack-and-slash combat, character building, and exploration. While some players appreciate its depth and nostalgic charm, many criticize its clunky interface, outdated mechanics, and balance issues, which can lead to frustrating experiences, especially for newcomers. Overall, the game offers a rich world and engaging story, but its gameplay may feel dated and unrefined compared to modern standards.

    • “It combines a rich, detailed story with classic gameplay, wrapped in a dark, immersive atmosphere.”
    • “Everything about the game feels timeless, from the gameplay to the atmospheric world it creates.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics were surprisingly deep for a game from the early 2000s.”
    • “I was trying to build a warrior, but most enemies are staggeringly tanky, on top of the classic ancient RPG system of missing being a mechanic.”
    • “I've never liked this game; it puts enemies at the start of the game that one-shot you, straight after a cutscene. What's the point of that when the player is still learning? Enemies are all overpowered, the interface is clunky, and there's no decent high-res support.”
    • “The gameplay is clunky, especially compared to modern RPGs.”
  • graphics195 mentions

    The graphics of "Divine Divinity" are generally considered dated, reflecting its 2002 release, yet many players find them charming and well-preserved for their time. While some users report bugs and issues with modern systems, the game's 2D sprite artwork and isometric design still evoke nostalgia and are appreciated for their artistic style. Overall, while not up to contemporary standards, the visuals contribute positively to the game's classic RPG experience.

    • “The graphics are simply beautiful and have held up very well.”
    • “The art style is beautiful, the maps are huge, and the hidden secrets are aplenty.”
    • “Its sense of humor is refreshing, and its graphics have aged incredibly well.”
    • “Its graphics are dated - even by the time of release, Diablo 2 was 2 years old, Final Fantasy 10 had been released last year, but this was a small indie studio, competing wasn't an option.”
    • “For one, the graphics are simply buggy on modern systems - even with the most successful settings, dark areas tend to just turn completely black or get bizarre rainbow lighting.”
    • “The game has aged quite well but for a modern audience expecting top-of-the-line graphics, you will be sorely disappointed.”
  • music183 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful composition and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many players considering it one of the standout features. Composed by Kirill Pokrovsky, the soundtrack is noted for its variety and emotional depth, effectively matching the game's mood and immersing players in its fantasy world. Overall, the music is described as memorable, atmospheric, and a significant contributor to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The music is beautifully composed by the late Kirill Pokrovsky, and it helps set the mood for the game.”
    • “The soundtrack of Divine Divinity is amazing; it dominates the soundscape, with its instrumentals and vocals creating an atmosphere that can be beautiful, fantastical, and even haunting.”
    • “The music is one of the best parts about this game, with beautiful, haunting, atmospheric, and memorable tracks that stay with you long after playing.”
    • “The music and sounds aren't anything special.”
    • “The limited voice acting and repetitive (sometimes uninspiring) music should be mentioned as the disadvantages of this classic RPG.”
    • “It's a pity because everything else is good, good old 2D graphics, nice music (except the monotone 'hell' background music), nice story(ies), varied locations and characters.”
  • humor120 mentions

    The game is praised for its quirky and absurd humor, featuring a variety of amusing situations, witty dialogue, and memorable characters that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the clever integration of humor into quests and interactions, often eliciting genuine laughter through its light-hearted approach and self-aware fantasy tropes. Despite some technical issues and dated elements, the humor remains a standout aspect, making it a charming and entertaining adventure.

    • “Whether it’s choosing sides in a bizarre conflict between warring wasps and bees, helping a cook with an unexpected dishwashing problem, or encountering an elf who is hilariously bewildered by the hero’s sudden declaration of love, the game delivers a variety of quirky, humorous, and often absurd situations.”
    • “The humor and charm of this game is everything I love about Larian, and it's comforting to know that they had the charm they do now back in the 2000s.”
    • “There is a lot of humor interspersed throughout the whole game and it is really fitting and genuinely funny; I loved it a lot and it really adds to the atmosphere and nature of the game (i.e. skeletons debating their existence, goofy items & easter eggs, and obviously dwarves are the highlight of every game).”
  • grinding57 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players noting the excessive running around and long dungeon times that detract from the overall experience. While some enjoy the satisfaction of leveling up and the freedom in quest-solving, the overwhelming number of enemies and the need for constant farming can make gameplay feel like a chore. Despite the presence of teleporters and interesting quests, the grind often overshadows the enjoyment, leading to a mixed reception regarding its pacing and mechanics.

    • “No grinding for better gear, just have to keep looking in new places if you don't find what you want.”
    • “Even so, many of the enemies going forward are tanky, deadly, and give too little XP to not be a tedious grind.”
    • “Something quite annoying, however, is how long it takes to beat some of the dungeons. Some of them can take up to 2 hours or more to beat, making it a tedious and repetitive process.”
    • “The final nail in the coffin was how tedious the game itself got.”
  • stability53 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many players reporting a range of bugs, glitches, and crashes that can disrupt gameplay, including game-breaking issues with questlines and graphical problems. While some users note that these issues can be managed with frequent saving or by following guides, the overall consensus is that the game feels outdated and clunky, making it challenging to enjoy fully. Despite its charm and interesting content, the persistent technical problems significantly detract from the experience.

    • “The game isn't as buggy as people make it out to be; it has some bugs that occasionally occur, such as closing the game when trying to read a manuscript or a book (during over 70 hours of gameplay, this happened probably 5 times).”
    • “Runs great on Windows 10.”
    • “This is not meant to be an angry review, but after playing for several hours I had to re-make my character due to glitches involving questlines that I apparently broke without realizing it.”
    • “I would love to finally finish it, but so far Larian Studios makes it hard to even get through the first city without causing tons of lag and even freezes!”
    • “The crashes are occasional, but the worst are the glitches that break questlines or that cause items to disappear.”
  • atmosphere45 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and richly detailed world, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack that ranges from beautiful to haunting. Players appreciate the blend of vibrant colors and cozy environments, alongside darker, more oppressive elements that create a unique and engaging experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and addictiveness.

    • “It combines a rich, detailed story with classic gameplay, wrapped in a dark, immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The soundtrack of divine divinity is amazing; its instrumentals and vocals combine to create an atmosphere that can be beautiful, fantastical, but also one that can feel haunted, tense, and oppressive.”
    • “This game has some of the best music in the entire gaming world-- beautiful, haunting, atmospheric, and memorable for a lifetime.”
    • “Good, rage inducing and very particular in terms of atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and creepy without it looking corny like other Diablo clones.”
    • “Atmosphere is fine.”
  • replayability21 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits a mixed level of replayability. While many players appreciate the variety of classes and choices that enhance replay value, some note that the linear main plot and limited character options can restrict it. Despite these drawbacks, several reviews highlight the game's engaging mechanics and humor, suggesting that it can still offer significant replayability for those willing to explore different playstyles.

    • “About 18 years later, I am still in awe at this game and its replayability.”
    • “Great game with good replay value; I could (and I'm sure I will) easily get over 100 hours out of this.”
    • “If you like to experience everything a game has to offer, you will find a lot of replayability with the different classes and choices you can make that affect quest outcomes.”
    • “Some quests may also get stuck on your playthrough, locking you out of completing them, (but hey, replayability, am I right? haha...)”
    • “There is a decent amount of replayability and variety among classes, but towards the end of the game there is a clear set of meta-defining skills.”
    • “Replay value: relatively linear main plot line and effectively only a single character, so not much replay value.”
  • optimization17 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering, slow loading times, and graphical artifacts, particularly on modern systems. While some users found temporary fixes through patches or specific settings, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, making it difficult to enjoy without encountering frequent technical problems.

    • “This drastically improved performance for me and many others.”
    • “Performance is great.”
    • “Putting the game in software rendering mode fixes some issues and improves performance.”
    • “The game isn't optimized, it seems, which is a shame.”
    • “I tried playing, but the constant stuttering made it unplayable even with the settings lowered.”
    • “Terrible performance for such an old game.”
  • character development13 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its flexibility and open-ended nature, allowing players to explore various skill selections without being restricted by initial choices. While the character designs are noted to be somewhat repetitive, the overall system encourages a fun and engaging experience, blending elements from classic RPGs with a more automated combat style. Players appreciate the lack of class limitations, which enhances the freedom in character progression.

    • “Another strength of this game is the character development, which offers plenty of flexibility and freedom in terms of skill selection.”
    • “The storyline is interesting, character development is open-ended and gameplay keeps you interested and entertained.”
    • “It is proof that choosing a class for your character in an RPG doesn't need to limit your further character development.”
    • “Classless character development.”
    • “Character development is pretty straightforward.”
    • “Other issues I had were with character development.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game evokes a mix of nostalgia and satisfaction, with some players feeling deeply connected to its hack-and-slash roots, while others express frustration over its design and story, leading to a heartbreaking inability to finish. Overall, it elicits strong feelings, both positive and negative, reflecting a complex emotional experience.

    • “Other than that, it's a solid title that made me feel nostalgic and satisfied.”
    • “After a lot of hours in the game, reaching a point where I am unable to finish is heartbreaking.”
    • “This game is absolutely delightful, touching all my old hack-and-slash isometric RPG fangirl fancies.”
    • “The emotional depth of the story is overshadowed by poor game design and an awkward travel system.”
    • “The narrative feels dull and uninspired, lacking the emotional engagement I was hoping for.”
    • “The characters are clichéd and fail to evoke any real emotional response.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate Larian Studios for prioritizing player enjoyment over profit, contrasting their approach with typical cash-grab tactics in the industry. The positive sentiment suggests that their monetization strategy is fair and focused on delivering quality experiences rather than maximizing revenue.

    • “This is why I will always support Swen and Larian Studios, because they make games for the enjoyment of people and themselves, not for quick cash grabs.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

55hMedian play time
85hAverage play time
34-75hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs

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