I've never had a more difficult time rating a game than Divinity Original Sin because 1) It's one of a kind. 2) Expectations were quite high for an epic RPG 3) There are so few decent turn-based and even real-time with pause RPGs so it *had* to be good, just had to...or else it was back to replays of old favorites (again).

I will give it two ratings, one for my experience and one tempered with others' feedback in consideration (see below) as my personal experience score is both lower and possibly atypical.

Overall, I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

The breakdown:

Interactive environment (5)

Story/dialog/pace - drags on, not inspiring (3)

Companions (2) lifeless (correction - 1 point for ability, 1 for existence)

Graphics (4.5)

Combat (3.5) --repetitive, but neat spells/skills.

Music (3.8) Edit -- 4+ as standalone and main theme, in particular, but not in-game. Mostly very light and less inspiring in context of the atmosphere, unlike other Divinity games.

Overall enemy variety & game world (5)

Leveling (3.5) - slow and unrewarding though refreshingly different with Action Points.

Dependability/bugs (3.5) --needs a few more patches but is mostly smooth.

Replayabilty (4) (if you like it yes, if not, no)

Gameplay Hours - (5) Fantastic! 60-150 hours.

Tactics -- lots of cheese/repetition (3.5)

Mods/Editor - (potentially 5 but to be determined).

Voice acting (3) - limited.

Loot (5) For loot maniacs. May be overabundant for some players.

Quests (4) --better than average, not so fetchy.

Puzzles - Yes - love or hate them

Atmosphere (3) e.g. lack of dynamic weather, immersive sound and dungeons are not scary.

Dynamic Events - largely absent

Consequences - few or not impacting other than in combat.

Map / Inventory/Journal (2.5 to 3)

Crafting - (3.5)

A problem with the game is that the sum is not greater than its parts. It would make a much better 30-40 hour game than an epic-length one, in its current state given it stalls out for story-driven, if not combat, players.

But, if you come to the game with no expectations of Baldur's Gate et al. and in a light-hearted mood (for tis not a dark/mature game) your money should be well-spent. You may even love the game, some really do.

If you're looking for the next epic classic RPG,though, you're on the road to disappointment. So come equipped with an open-mind for best results.

***If you like turn-based RPGs Divinity Original Sin is most worth taking a look at *** and it may well one day be considered a cult classic as the niche following is strong.

----------------------

My personal experience rating, however, is 3.5 -3.8.

I'm an older gamer and don't necessarily represent the majority of Larian fans, though love most of their games. Original Sin started as a holiday dinner and soon became two-day old, leftover turkey sandwiches after 40ish hours -- stale and bland, though a bit tasty with salt when available. I actually quit the game 3/4 the way through, from boredom,though plan to return to it someday (tm).

My standards are rather distinct for an RPG and in disclosure I lean strongly towards Neverwinter Nights series or Baldur's Gate-type games (aside from strategy, open-world and select aRPGs) as well as those with darker undertones.

Additionally, I even felt Shadowrun, XCom and Disciples combat was much more enjoyable. I think with mods this game could turn around. Right now it is a diamond in the rough, or so it appears. Multiplayer may offer a ton of fun and that I am unable to comment on.

Lastly, of note, my Steam hours are artificially inflated -- both with Alpha and leaving the game running. The real-hours are closer to 150, but nonetheless I well got my money's worth at that rate. The game is better than average but needs serious work to shine.

Most importantly, it needs a soul.

Still, future games in this genre will have a new threshold to meet in modernized cRPGs.

I've never had a more difficult time rating a game than Divinity Original Sin because 1) It's one of a kind. 2) Expectations were quite high for an epic RPG 3) There are so few decent turn-based and even real-time with pause RPGs so it *had* to be good, just had to...or else it was back to replays of old favorites (again). I will give it two ratings, one for my experience and one tempered with others' feedback in consideration (see below) as my personal experience score is both lower and possibly atypical. Overall, I give it 4 out of 5 stars. The breakdown: Interactive environment (5) Story/dialog/pace - drags on, not inspiring (3) Companions (2) lifeless (correction - 1 point for ability, 1 for existence) Graphics (4.5) Combat (3.5) --repetitive, but neat spells/skills. Music (3.8) Edit -- 4+ as standalone and main theme, in particular, but not in-game. Mostly very light and less inspiring in context of the atmosphere, unlike other Divinity games. Overall enemy variety & game world (5) Leveling (3.5) - slow and unrewarding though refreshingly different with Action Points. Dependability/bugs (3.5) --needs a few more patches but is mostly smooth. Replayabilty (4) (if you like it yes, if not, no) Gameplay Hours - (5) Fantastic! 60-150 hours. Tactics -- lots of cheese/repetition (3.5) Mods/Editor - (potentially 5 but to be determined). Voice acting (3) - limited. Loot (5) For loot maniacs. May be overabundant for some players. Quests (4) --better than average, not so fetchy. Puzzles - Yes - love or hate them Atmosphere (3) e.g. lack of dynamic weather, immersive sound and dungeons are not scary. Dynamic Events - largely absent Consequences - few or not impacting other than in combat. Map / Inventory/Journal (2.5 to 3) Crafting - (3.5) A problem with the game is that the sum is not greater than its parts. It would make a much better 30-40 hour game than an epic-length one, in its current state given it stalls out for story-driven, if not combat, players. But, if you come to the game with no expectations of Baldur's Gate et al. and in a light-hearted mood (for tis not a dark/mature game) your money should be well-spent. You may even love the game, some really do. If you're looking for the next epic classic RPG,though, you're on the road to disappointment. So come equipped with an open-mind for best results. ***If you like turn-based RPGs Divinity Original Sin is most worth taking a look at *** and it may well one day be considered a cult classic as the niche following is strong. ---------------------- My personal experience rating, however, is 3.5 -3.8. I'm an older gamer and don't necessarily represent the majority of Larian fans, though love most of their games. Original Sin started as a holiday dinner and soon became two-day old, leftover turkey sandwiches after 40ish hours -- stale and bland, though a bit tasty with salt when available. I actually quit the game 3/4 the way through, from boredom,though plan to return to it someday (tm). My standards are rather distinct for an RPG and in disclosure I lean strongly towards Neverwinter Nights series or Baldur's Gate-type games (aside from strategy, open-world and select aRPGs) as well as those with darker undertones. Additionally, I even felt Shadowrun, XCom and Disciples combat was much more enjoyable. I think with mods this game could turn around. Right now it is a diamond in the rough, or so it appears. Multiplayer may offer a ton of fun and that I am unable to comment on. Lastly, of note, my Steam hours are artificially inflated -- both with Alpha and leaving the game running. The real-hours are closer to 150, but nonetheless I well got my money's worth at that rate. The game is better than average but needs serious work to shine. Most importantly, it needs a soul. Still, future games in this genre will have a new threshold to meet in modernized cRPGs.