Larian Studios Forums Divine Divinity (English) General DD - A masterpiece of a game

I know you have already been getting a lot of praise for Divine Divinty, but I felt that I needed to add my 2 cents worth.

Coming from an old school role-playing background (paper and pen AD&D) and having played some old favorites like Ultima and Bard's Tale series - here is what I liked so much about DD (in no particular order):

1. Attention to detail in the level design and object placement. The amount of work here is quite phenomenal. Every object appears like it was painstakingly placed appropriately with the environment setting. This avoids the repetitiveness IMHO of games like Diablo and Morrowind. Being able to move objects is an added bonus.

2. Gameplay and interface *is* easy to use. The CTRL key is great for targeting the closest enemy! Thank you, thank you, thank you, for adding the pause function to the game and being able to change spells and potions during this time.

3. Automap, minimap, and large-scale map. Wow! Every game should have mapping features like this. It is quite nice to be able to place flags and notes on a large scale map - the detail on the maps is nothing short of amazing - no more getting lost or searching.

4. The polymorph spell - it's about time that a spell can be used against a boss monster turning it into something like a frog. Nice to know I don't have to spend 20 minutes hacking and spellcasting away at a single monster (and then dying on the 19th minute).

5. To me the game encompasses some of the best gameplay elements from Diablo (combat), Baldur's Gate, Fallout, and Planescape Torment (dialog and quests). The humor in much of the dialog is appreciated!

6. All to often forgotten - the music and sounds effects are superb! Usually I don't care for music, but it really adds to the game. The musicians and sound effects staff deserve an award.

7. The teleporter stones and teleportation zones. Nice to know I can get where I need to be going to - FAST.

8. Everything (sound, graphics, game play, content, story, quests, scripting) meshes together quite beautifully. This makes the game feel complete and finished in every sense.

To the Larian Studios development team - you have raised the bar for making a fantastic RPG. It's also encouraging to see a development studio outside of the United States make such a great game.

Ah yes, it's a good game indeed <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

However, you seem to be confused with the nationality of most of the Larians.
CDV (the publisher) is german but Larian itself can be found in Belgium.
A common mistake seeing how much the German language resembles the Dutch language. There are some German people working at larian though, such as Marian (whom can be found roaming the Forums sometimes).

Anyway, welcome the forum <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

The Belgiums who play RPG's must be so proud! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

it makes my wonder, are there dutch ppl at larian?

Actually I cannot call it a positive aspect. It makes the game too easy when you can cast spells like Polymorph on anyone: no one is protected against spells!

Thanks Yannos for letting me know in regards to the nationality. I have edited my post.

The best RPG I ever played. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" />Rules.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Indeed its a great game. Brings back the meaning od singleplayer too. But yeah I never knew Larian were from belgie. And belgiem is defentily not german. Its Dutch with a strange accent. (Yeah I can speak ducth, I was born thier and lived thier for 8 years.) I wouldn't be suprised if thier were any ducth programers in Laraian.