Greetings my fellow internet readers. Today's post is how I didn't do a single hobby thing this week, and instead spent all my free time playing video games.
The video game in question? Divinity - Original Sin by Larian Studios. It has trapped me hook line and sinker. Even my workbench can't pull me away from the game. It reminds me so much of fallout 1 and 2, that I just can't stop playing.
Divinity is an isometric viewpoint, RPG, with a Diablo style loot system, classless leveling, and turn based combat. It has a multi-tiered story, which starts you off softly, and pulls you in with greater depth as the game progresses.
It also doesn't constantly hold your hand. You can, and will die often. Especially if you go exploring off the beaten path (as you can easily run into much higher level mobs).
Did i mention it has multi-player co-op built in? Even if you choose a single player game, you still get to play two main characters, who can each have an additional henchman. (four total characters + possible summons). The interaction between the two main characters is actually up to you. They have dialog tree's which you can choose for either side. You can have one knightly character, and a second main character that argues with him. The arguments give you points in various secondary stats such as "forgiving/vengeful". It's definitely designed for two different players, but its still interesting to go back and forth between the two of them yourself.
These characters have starting classes, but can be respec'd into any role.
It also doesn't constantly hold your hand. You can, and will die often. Especially if you go exploring off the beaten path (as you can easily run into much higher level mobs).
Did i mention it has multi-player co-op built in? Even if you choose a single player game, you still get to play two main characters, who can each have an additional henchman. (four total characters + possible summons). The interaction between the two main characters is actually up to you. They have dialog tree's which you can choose for either side. You can have one knightly character, and a second main character that argues with him. The arguments give you points in various secondary stats such as "forgiving/vengeful". It's definitely designed for two different players, but its still interesting to go back and forth between the two of them yourself.
These characters have starting classes, but can be respec'd into any role.
The main classes in the game are just for a starting off point. It's classless in that every character can take on any role. Chose a battle mage at the beginning, and wish they could just be a better mage? Stop putting points into weapons when you level up!
When you gain enough experience to level, you are giving a set amount of points, which you can use to raise a skill level. To raise from 0-1 costs a point, from 1-2 costs 2 points, etc. So it's very easy to swap a characters style of play early on.
This was one of the happiest parts of this new gaming experience. I didn't have to start over after making some bad skill investment mistakes.
This was one of the happiest parts of this new gaming experience. I didn't have to start over after making some bad skill investment mistakes.
In terms of actual game play, it's realtime until battles occur (when an enemy sees you. With an isometric style view.
You can also toggle a top down view, if you are having trouble pivoting the camera to select something, or you want a more tactical viewpoint of the battle.
You can also toggle a top down view, if you are having trouble pivoting the camera to select something, or you want a more tactical viewpoint of the battle.
Tactics in this game is very important, because of the way the environment interacts with you, and it's surroundings.
There are four main elements, earth, air, fire, and water. Various spells and items adjust and interact with these elements. Water can be frozen into ice, ice can be melted into water, water can be boiled into steam. Here's an example.
There are four main elements, earth, air, fire, and water. Various spells and items adjust and interact with these elements. Water can be frozen into ice, ice can be melted into water, water can be boiled into steam. Here's an example.
Here we have the group facing a bunch of mechanical creatures. The first mage causes it to rain, which forms a large water surface on the battle field. The rain also puts a debuff on everyone, making them wet. When you're wet, you are more susceptible to freezing and electric attacks. (and stronger vs fire).
The second mage then shoots a bolt of electricity at the puddle (not the monster itself). The entire surface becomes electrifed, and everyone touching the water has to make a stun saving throw.
The final mage then fires a fire ball into the water, which evaporates some of it into steam. The steam cloud touches some of the electricity that was in the water, and forms a static thundercloud.
This type of interaction between the elements is at the core of the game play. You can use it against the enemies, and they can (and will), use it against you. (Their favorite is shooting fire into poison clouds, causing a massive explosion).
The second mage then shoots a bolt of electricity at the puddle (not the monster itself). The entire surface becomes electrifed, and everyone touching the water has to make a stun saving throw.
The final mage then fires a fire ball into the water, which evaporates some of it into steam. The steam cloud touches some of the electricity that was in the water, and forms a static thundercloud.
This type of interaction between the elements is at the core of the game play. You can use it against the enemies, and they can (and will), use it against you. (Their favorite is shooting fire into poison clouds, causing a massive explosion).
The game also uses a diablo style loot system. With random attributes being assigned to various items, allowing for nearly infinite variation.
This is on top of a good back story, interaction with NPC's and various quests/puzzles, bartering, crafting...it's a really nice game.
I happened to kick starter this game a year ago, and I'm really happy I did so. I recommend checking it out if you get a chance! (hopefully they'll have a demo)
This is on top of a good back story, interaction with NPC's and various quests/puzzles, bartering, crafting...it's a really nice game.
I happened to kick starter this game a year ago, and I'm really happy I did so. I recommend checking it out if you get a chance! (hopefully they'll have a demo)
Not much on the hobby front this week. I played too much of Divinity, and didn't really paint much of the orks, or templars. My latest dragonforge base order shipped, so may have some photos of that later. Hope everyone is having a good week. Thanks for stopping by!
