Just one question - Why Larian changed style in second part of the game?

[Tim]

Just one question - Why Larian ruined changed style in second part of the game?

Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin 2 have completely different graphic, art style/direction. The first one was more cartoony and looked great aesthetically. The second one looking a plain, grumpy boring and poor. First one was more like Blizzard-like games art direction. Do you know all Blizzard games have insane success right?

Played D:OS2 from a friend and i barely endured 40 min then ALT+F4. But i noticed this much earlier, from development stage. Just compare fire in first part with second part. In D:OS2 it trying to be photo realistic but it looks so cheap.

You can tell me like hey finish first tutorial ship level and go outdoors, but when i came to tavern in first part i doesnt feel like i playing in poorly visually designed game. Everything looks pleasant and artistic in first Divinity: OS.

Divinity: OS 2 - is a step back in art direction compared with first part IMHO.

So why Larian misled by all this 1.5 people who criticizing game for "cartoon graphics"? Or Larian changed their graphics designer?

Edited: slightly changed caption. Now less emotions, less drama.

Added: screenshots.

All screenshots made with Ultra setting, PNG format.

D:OS 2 - Ship level:

1. https://i.imgur.com/OToXCQJ.png
2. https://i.imgur.com/gGzOaoy.png
3. https://i.imgur.com/eon1KWC.png

Monochromatic (black & brown) palette, cold light.

Such poorly looking scenes with such palette doesnt exist at all in first D:OS.

D:OS 1 - Cyseal Tavern:

1. https://i.imgur.com/OTTfz18.png
2. https://i.imgur.com/cQqhFej.png

D:OS 1 - Another Tavern:

1. https://i.imgur.com/Zsbl5jH.png
2. https://i.imgur.com/1jMqJh6.png

Beach scene:

D:OS 2:
1. https://i.imgur.com/6iPEgCs.png

D:OS 1:
1. https://i.imgur.com/VrYnwcD.png

Forest scenes from D:OS 1:

1. https://i.imgur.com/VMPnk23.png
2. https://i.imgur.com/cYLv1zn.png

In first D:OS game everything looks exact opposite. Expressive, juicy (even at no daylight, even in dungeons), rich color palette, smooth gradients. Lights look almost like hand-painted and looks good, soft, artistic, eye-candysh.

[Yemeth]

Well each game in the series has a distinct style. Maybe they want to experiment. Maybe they did it to suit the more darker story and themes this time around. I don't find it that much a problem tbh. Yeah I miss the style from the first OS. But not as much as to ruin the experience. I think the new style fits the tone.

[Hobocop]

Not sure what you're on about. D:OS2's art style is very distinct from that of say, Elder Scrolls games or The Witcher. I'm afraid you'll need to provide more examples than a difference in fire effects and a vague reference to Cyseal's tavern when D:OS2's tavern in the second act provides a similar vibe.

[Tim]

Thank you for sharing your opinion. I need try it again indeed. I will buy it definitely and will try again.

First impression usually pretty strong and i am frustrated a little bit.

[zacharyb]

The first game was very lighthearted, this one is a lot more serious. It wouldn't fit the mood to have the art style of the first game in this one.

[25x8]

realistic style much more better

[Tim]

Originally posted by Hobocop:

D:OS2's art style is very distinct from that of say, Elder Scrolls games or The Witcher. I'm afraid you'll need to provide more examples than a difference in fire effects and a vague reference to Cyseal's tavern when D:OS2's tavern in the second act provides a similar vibe.

Pretty sure wood textures for example in first ship level and screenshots from D:OS2 what i seen looks different from first D:OS. And the rest world textures too (grass, ground, rocks). In 2nd game they are more photo realistic, in 1st game they feels like the same + cartoon filter. Maybe lighting differ too, not sure.

They are distinctive indeed from Skyrim etc, but dunno how to say this... Maybe reason is some magic formula between photo realistic and artistic, aesthetically looking style. I dont know.

Originally posted by true:

realistic style much more better

Of course. Thats why Blizzard make all their games cartoony. You also forgot to add - IMHO.

[Hobocop]

Could be different for any number of reasons, from lighting in the scene, changes in the graphical engine, the artists taking a slightly different approach, or something as simple as the textures simply being higher resolution which might account for the 'cartoon' filter you're perceiving but to claim that the game's art style was 'ruined' because of minor aesthetic differences is silly. Not when both games still look so similar overall.

[Tim]

Originally posted by Hobocop:

Could be different for any number of reasons, from lighting in the scene, changes in the graphical engine, or the artists taking a slightly different approach, but to claim that the game's art style was 'ruined' because of minor aesthetic differences is silly.

I know this is very subjective thing and you may not believe me - for me it really is. And for me it's not 'minor' difference.

Default Tavern screenshots from Steam Store for comparison and thought (not the best example for sure):

- Divinity: Original Sin:
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/373420/ss_3db4a0531a1bc6f33aab653060020a90f967a5c9.jpg?t=1512992769

- Divinity: Original Sin 2:
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/435150/ss_a0fa5dd2f40fffbae32af259afcf588a999e6663.jpg?t=1513872745

- Divine Divinity (2002 year)
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/214170/ss_356d2652012e15d8f5a9ac37ba381eaaa6352053.1920x1080.jpg?t=1447355993

Maybe need some time to adapt after switching from first D:OS. Or maybe not...

[w.f.schepel]

Originally posted by Tim:

Originally posted by Hobocop:

Could be different for any number of reasons, from lighting in the scene, changes in the graphical engine, or the artists taking a slightly different approach, but to claim that the game's art style was 'ruined' because of minor aesthetic differences is silly.

I know this is very subjective thing and you may not believe me - for me it really is. And for me it's not 'minor' difference.

Default Tavern screenshots from Steam Store for comparison and thought (not the best example for sure):

- Divinity: Original Sin:
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/373420/ss_3db4a0531a1bc6f33aab653060020a90f967a5c9.jpg?t=1512992769

- Divinity: Original Sin 2:
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/435150/ss_a0fa5dd2f40fffbae32af259afcf588a999e6663.jpg?t=1513872745

- Divine Divinity (2002 year)
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/214170/ss_356d2652012e15d8f5a9ac37ba381eaaa6352053.1920x1080.jpg?t=1447355993

Maybe need some time to adapt after switching from first D:OS. Or maybe not...

The art style hasn't changed that much. It is still cartoony over-the-top American fantasy. The lightning is subtly different, or so it seems to me, but to say it is vastly different, or that it ruins the experience, is - in my opinion - ever so slightly ridiculous. The game is not about its art. The game is about freedom, tactics and a childish kind of dry humor that somehow appeals, despite its infantile cheesy character.

[Tim]

Originally posted by w.f.schepel:

It is still cartoony over-the-top American fantasy.

No, its not anymore. Wake up and open your eyes finally. There is nothing in common with "cartoony" as you said https://i.imgur.com/6iPEgCs.png
Nothing - mean nothing at all in this case.

Originally posted by w.f.schepel:

The art style hasn't changed that much.

If you really think so then i dont know what wrong with you.

Beach scene:
D:OS2 https://i.imgur.com/6iPEgCs.png
D:OS1 https://i.imgur.com/VrYnwcD.png

Forest scenes from D:OS1:
https://i.imgur.com/VMPnk23.png
https://i.imgur.com/cYLv1zn.png

Originally posted by w.f.schepel:

but to say it is vastly different, or that it ruins the experience, is - in my opinion - ever so slightly ridiculous.

Thank you for being cool person who can hear the views of others people.

Originally posted by w.f.schepel:

The game is not about its art. The game is about freedom, tactics and a childish kind of dry humor that somehow appeals, despite its infantile cheesy character.

Man, I know what Divinity games about. Beat 3 times Divine Divinity, beat Divinity II, beat D:OS1.

According to your logic lets say for example - you like games about shooting zombies. Then playing game like this is ok for you Dawn of the killer zombies. Lightning is subtly different from Left 4 Dead, the art style hasn't changed that much too. Both photo realistic. So this is ok game according your words. But surprisingly (for you) 99% people choose to play another thousand of hours in old "Left 4 Dead" rather then playing this new "Dawn of the killer zombies".

This not best example because gameplay is different in this games, mechanic is different, etc. But i can give as another example - Fable and Fable Anniversary. Fable Anniversary is the same game as old Fable, just redone in new engine with "improved" visuals. Most users and authoritative reviewers found this new remaster worse, because remaster lost charm, charisma, magic of original game. New super cool realistic lighting not always make things better as we see...

Same with D:OS2. Today i again played it because i wanted to see for myself (not on screenshots) how game looks and feels outdoors. When i finished ship level and appeared in the fort my reactions was - Jesus, why?

I even start thinking maybe i have some kind of color blindness but no, i like games tend to be photo realistic equally as i like cartoony/eye candy games. D:OS2 not really photo realistic and not look good aesthetically either. It just poorly visually made game.

And the most people confirm there the fact that the D:OS2 looks at least different and probably worse then the first part. The difference is that this is not game breaking thing for them.

This is not easy for me to say such things about Larian games but i definitely skip this D:OS2. This is not the game which i like to play. I rather play in the fourth time Divinity Divinity or in second time D:OS1 or better yet playing something else. But it look like this new game sells better, I didn't lose anything and i am minority (after reading reviews - not exactly) so there is no problem. Well, I really appreciate if Larian made more money. They deserve them.

[winterplantkill]

It's a shame that the aesthetic ruins it for you as it is a very fun game that improves upon D:OS in every other way!

[Tim]

Originally posted by winterplantkill:

It's a shame that the aesthetic ruins it for you as it is a very fun game that improves upon D:OS in every other way!

I am not argue with that. But spending a tons of hours in game that your subconscious won't let you enjoying the game is a serious challenge.

Also i didnt hear yet that some one said he really like how new game looking now. Everyone talking about improved game play, mechanics, story but not aesthetic. Underestimate aesthetic in such kind of game it would be weird, to say the least.

[Old Gin]

I think you care too much about this eh bud. If you didn't label those images with the game titles I'd honestly have no idea what I was looking at. I for realsies can't tell the difference between DOS1 and DOS2 regarding the minor details. Even some of the SFX look the same to me and I couldn't care less.

[winterplantkill]

I know where you are coming from buddy. AllI can say is that I am enjoying it so far and some of the challenges have been...

[w.f.schepel]

*snip*: lots of drivel.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. I am, however, equally entitled to consider your opinion utter garbage. A lot of art in DOS 2 is a straight copy from DOS 1. Some of it is new, especially with regards to 'new' races, but it is definitely quite similar.