The following is my review as posted on the same panel.. i dont know exactly how it'll look but for what its worth..
All games require playability, entertainment and "the need" to get back and play more.
Divine Divinity, is such a game that can be safely marked up amoungest the greatest of games. To sit alongside the Likes of Civilization, Diablo, Ufo-Enemy Known, Doom. Games which took ideas and made them into historic games, played for years after release.
The story, running through the woods one day, a young warrior is attacked by orcs. Tripped by a fired crossbow bolt and placed into a situation of imminent death he is imbued by one of 3 "Divine" souls. He is found by a local healer and taken to safety.... and so the story and your game begins.
The very first view of the game; given "now" technology can be abit off putting, you step back and think "omg" that looks awful. Graphic use in the game is fairly plain, slightly less gorgeous than the graphics of say Diablo2. But graphics dont make a game.
Progressing though the game, through many quests, some started with short cutscene movies, you are almost instantly aware of extreme detail. On every table are plates with food, knives, mugs of water or glasses of wine, books, notes and many other items. The food can be eaten, the water or wine drunk, the knives can be used in combat... in short everthing can be opened, pickedup or used in someway. Rocks and Plant pots can hide loot or keys...cant get into a house? Dont have a lockpick? Try moving the plant pots nearby..Can't find the key or pick a chest? Pick it up and carry it to somewhere safe for later..
This game is so involving that small details which could be brought to objection are ignored. The voice statments made by any of the classes sound bored and poorly made, some doors cant be closed...you cant relock a door or chest..but you can gather mushrooms of many kinds and make potions, you can rob your friends blind and walk away with armfuls of loot...get employed at the local garrison and empty their armoury and sell everything for your pocket..This is a great game for thieving players and hoarders..need space for hiding stuff? Grab a nearby barrel, just dont be in combat mode or you'll smash it.
Killing, almost anything can be attacked and killed, to pick a fight with a guard draw your weapon and click on him, he'll suggest you put your weapon away and this will stop accidental attacks.. but you can ignore this and fight the guard..doing so to will lower your reputation in the game, low rep and more guards will harrass or even attack you on sight.
What to kill thats supposed to be killed? Rabbits, Rats, Snakes, Boars, Bees and Wasps..Orcs, Trolls, Skeletons and Zombies..Giant Spiders and Beetles..ghosts and ghouls and other unique creatures. Plenty to kill, never a dull moment.
Quests are easy to pickup and generally lead to you exploring the world and discovering new places, quests, weapons and things to kill..Theres little puzzles to solve, traps to avoid or create. Theres even a funny cutscene with two skeletons discussing how they exist without muscles or eat without stomachs...
Theres Dragons (small ones), to speak to or kill, Lizardmen, Dwarfs, Elves, Humans, Imps and Orcs...
3 choices of character. Warrior based, Magery based or Thief based, male or female characters.
Theres Daytime and Nightfall, Towns to explore, woods to hide in and deserts to get lost in.
Upgrades for weapons and armour, Unique and Extra Powerful weapons, including Bows and Crossbows, Swords, Scimiters, Daggers, Spears and Shields of all kinds.
Spells of unique and powerfull magic..(the spell graphical effects are generally poor and many spells have little use) ability to summon and polymorph..
And replayability. Dont consider beating this game until you can do it on all difficult levels and with all three classes, for a warrior on easy you're looking at 1-2 weeks of almost continous playing on your first occasion, 2nd and 3rd characters will cut this to about 8 days of comtinuous play. If you work for a living.. maybe 2 months play. To win.
This is a nice long, welcome game to sit down with and relax. Interface and Customer Support are unparalled. Get online and ask for help at the local website and you'll usually be answered within hours. Post on the forums and you'll probably be answered within minutes by a developer or tester or someone with advanced knowledge of the game or how to resolve issues which may be causing other problems.
Graphics 5/10
Sounds 8/10
Music 9/10
Playability 9/10
Replayability 7/10
Overall a must buy for RPG players anywhere!
