Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition cover art

Divinity: Original Sin II - Definitive Edition

Deep tactical build crafting and elemental combo solving across set-piece turn-based encounters.

Here's the argument for where this game sits - disagree freely.
Match your experience?
EXECUTION1 /10READS1 /10VARIANCE3 /10OPTIMIZATION9 /10

the cheat-test profile

The four axes - the argument

Each axis is rated on its own - how far one cheat would trivialize the game here. They don't trade off; low on all four means the game is an experience, not a contest.

  1. Execution

    cheat: Aimbot - perfect inputs

    1/10

    Turn-based combat removes any physical ceiling

  2. Reads

    cheat: Out-predict an adaptive opponent

    1/10

    Optional PvP arena aside, AI follows mappable behaviour

  3. Variance

    cheat: See what's hidden / map the RNG

    3/10

    Initiative rolls, random loot and unknown encounters add spice

  4. Optimization

    cheat: A perfect solver / coach

    9/10

    Build synergies, surface combos and positioning are deeply solvable

How to read this

Each axis is named by the cheat that would break the game along it. Execution is the hands. Reads is out-thinking an adaptive opponent. Variance is hidden information & RNG. Optimization is the solvable systems layer. A game's region is the top one or two axes.

These four aren't one rating split four ways - they're independent 0-10 questions. A 9 on one axis takes nothing from the others, and a game low on all four isn't missing data: it's telling you there's no skill here to cheat.

The basis is how the majority actually plays this game - not a niche mode or a personal run. For a game with very different modes (a story campaign versus ranked multiplayer), that's the version most people mean.

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Game details

Released
2018
Developer
Larian Studios
Platforms
Series X|S, PS4, Switch 2, PC, iOS, PS5, Mac, XONE, Switch
Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative, Split screen
IGDB critics
93/100
IGDB users
90/100
Role-playing (RPG)StrategyAdventureFantasy