Divinity: Original Sin Pre-Release Thread

[SCO]

Sure you might think the farm is bland... it kinda is, thought there are nice touches like the knight hiding out from a assassin (bit clumsy foreshadow thing) and the farmer dead by a field on a hole with snakes (pity you can't WARN anyone about that fucking corpse on the field but oh well). Also there is a quest there about the poisoning of some fields that gives out a key that is useful... somewhere i forget.

If you just check a walkthrough (as you, you know, aren't going to play the game) you'll see that there is a surprising amount of quests and secrets on the game. Sure most of them are of the 'find item/person/door_for_key on enormous combat zone' type but they're there which is more than what i can say about Diablo, and the game has a surprising amount of environmental interaction. If i had to choose a studio to do a ultima7 successor, i'd go with Larian.
Personally, i'd take 1 game like this over 10 diablo clones.

BTW, DD1 is ten times more playable if you learn some interface commands. CAPSLOCK unlocks the camera into free movement (though i guess you can use the automap for the same feature of clicking somewhere to go), R toggles always run. And CTRL + click anywhere attacks the nearest enemies (so you don't have to click and miss 50% of the time). It just needed configurable hotkeys for abilities instead of only RMB.

The ending zone is completely crap though (about 5 or 6 gigantic mazes with hundreds of enemies).

 

[Gord]

I don't think there's much sense in trying to reason with Roguey's trolling in this thread, SCO...

 

[Darth Roxor]

While playing DD it never occurred to me to think of it as a Diablo clone.

This. I've mostly avoided DD for a long time because I've been informed many times over that it's a "Diablo clone", and Diablo clones very much stopped amusing me like 5 years ago or something. But when playing it now, I've quickly realised that it's really nothing of the sort.

 

[Stabbey]

SCO - Divine Divinity does have configurable hotkeys. Click on the skills/items/weapons menu, hover over the desired item and press one of the F1..F12 keys. (I don't remember if other keys work or just those.) Then you can instantly switch your right-click skill, your weapon, drink a potion without needing to fiddle with menus. Really handy.

 

[Mangoose]

For Rostere

Unlike DivDiv, Diablo's actually fun. Europeans seem to have a cargo cult approach to RPGs, like the Japanese, only they zig where they zag.

In the beginning it is a bit like that, but what separates Divine Divinity from Diablo is that it continues to expand with its quests, secrets, and complexity of objects and interaction while Diablo stays the same throughout. Both are wack a mole style games, but Diablo is pretty much that all the way through and its item interaction develops no complexity, its just "rinse and repeat" for more loot and the next boss on the next level. Did you play Divine Divinity all the way through or just the first portion.

While playing DD it never occurred to me to think of it as a Diablo clone. Sure, you click on stuff to kill it, but that's where the similarities end. It has much more in common with other RPGs than it does with Diablo.

Sure you might think the farm is bland... it kinda is, thought there are nice touches like the knight hiding out from a assassin (bit clumsy foreshadow thing) and the farmer dead by a field on a hole with snakes (pity you can't WARN anyone about that fucking corpse on the field but oh well). Also there is a quest there about the poisoning of some fields that gives out a key that is useful... somewhere i forget.

If you just check a walkthrough (as you, you know, aren't going to play the game) you'll see that there is a surprising amount of quests and secrets on the game. Sure most of them are of the 'find item/person/door_for_key on enormous combat zone' type but they're there which is more than what i can say about Diablo, and the game has a surprising amount of environmental interaction. If i had to choose a studio to do a ultima7 successor, i'd go with Larian.
Personally, i'd take 1 game like this over 10 diablo clones.

BTW, DD1 is ten times more playable if you learn some interface commands. CAPSLOCK unlocks the camera into free movement (though i guess you can use the automap for the same feature of clicking somewhere to go), R toggles always run. And CTRL + click anywhere attacks the nearest enemies (so you don't have to click and miss 50% of the time). It just needed configurable hotkeys for abilities instead of only RMB.

The ending zone is completely crap though (about 5 or 6 gigantic mazes with hundreds of enemies).

While playing DD it never occurred to me to think of it as a Diablo clone.

This. I've mostly avoided DD for a long time because I've been informed many times over that it's a "Diablo clone", and Diablo clones very much stopped amusing me like 5 years ago or something. But when playing it now, I've quickly realised that it's really nothing of the sort.

 

[Arkeus]

With 9 days left to go the Phantom forest grows... + New movie

Update #16 · Apr 16, 2013 · comment

9 days left!!!

We have 9 days left to make it to the next Stretch goal. Given how other Kickstarter campaigns went, there's a really good chance that we'll make a few more stretch goals in the last couple of days, but obviously we're going to need your help. For instance, If less than half of you bring in a friend to play Divinity: Original Sin with, we're already at our next stretch goal, and that's a very cool one
So please spread the word. Also, don't forget - we have cool add-ons(bottom of page)!
In case you missed it, here's an overview of our stretch goals.

The next goal which we hope to reach is the Personality Traits and Talents goal:
This goal will see us introduce traits and talents that further define your party members. They will help you in combat, in dialogues with NPCs, and in all kinds of other interactions. You get to choose some at character creation, by exploring the world, and occasionally through leveling up. For instance, Animal Empathy allows you to talk to animals. Slippery Eel allows you to evade attacks of opportunity. Interdimensional Touch lets you send items to far away party members but also to your Homestead on the Shelter Plane At The End Of Time. And like this, there will be many more. Essential stuff really, so please help us out.
More than meets the eye

We told you yesterday, and we'll tell you again today. There's more than meets the eye in Divinity: Orginal Sin. Yesterday was all about hidden dungeons, today it's about the art in the game.
If you think you already know what Divinity: Original Sin is going to look like... think again!


The Phantom forest grows...

For every 1000 extra backers above 10000 backers, we'll add an extra level to the Phantom Forest lair. There was much rejoicing in our comments section today when we achieved the first extension, but that may soon change...
Why? Well, here's a fragment from a torn and frayed manuscript we found...

I must put this to paper or go mad!
What have I done? No god can save my sanity - not one of them; not even seven ...
Infernal fool that I am, I entered Phantom Forest ... the shire of shadow more tenebrous than fabled Tartarus.
It must have been the whispers that seduced me. It must have been the promises that came rustling through the leaves. No sooner did I hear my deepest desires echoing in the dark, than I perceived them in the undergrowth, right there for the taking. Entranced, I wandered forth, my hands set firm like claws - reaching ...
It was so close at first, but never did I quite draw nearer to my goal as I stumbled along fallen branches, dead and deformed. Lost was I, in sense and time, but still I persevered.
At last the moment came. All my desires afore me! Yet when my fingers were about to claim their long awaited caress, darkness fell within darkness and two eyes caught my gaze; two eyes more black then the furthest and most starless reaches of the cosmic wastes that surround us.
Frantically I turned and ran. Dashed like a madman while behind me, above me, beside me, the whispers beset me once more. I dare not write of what I heard. I cannot if I tried.
I have heard cruelty incarnate bare its soul. Long as it lives, death holds no fear.
Then suddenly ... sunlight. The dark's lust for prey must have made it spring its trap too soon. I escaped to tell my story. But why would I recount a tale of horror that would make the very flowers wither, should they catch wind of what I saw?
Let only this piece of pitiable parchment be stained by the inescapable agony that is ineffaceable memory.
O gods, what have I done? I entered Phantom Forest ...
The manuscript continues, and repeats these ramblings again and again. Are you really sure you want this dungeon to become even bigger...?

 

[SCO]

SCO - Divine Divinity does have configurable hotkeys. Click on the skills/items/weapons menu, hover over the desired item and press one of the F1..F12 keys. (I don't remember if other keys work or just those.) Then you can instantly switch your right-click skill, your weapon, drink a potion without needing to fiddle with menus. Really handy.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

replay incoming

 

[:Flash:]

SCO - Divine Divinity does have configurable hotkeys. Click on the skills/items/weapons menu, hover over the desired item and press one of the F1..F12 keys. (I don't remember if other keys work or just those.) Then you can instantly switch your right-click skill, your weapon, drink a potion without needing to fiddle with menus. Really handy.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

replay incoming

Only popamole gamers don't read manuals.

Your computer must be very fast, DivDiv displays those hints at the loading screen, and I think that's one of them.

 

[J_C]

update

Larian cannot into video editing. The video is not finished.

 

[Arkeus]

Forgot to add this:

So, what do you folk think is the surprise at 666?

 

[felipepepe]

Great update, those upgrades on the level design were very impressive to watch. Also, RIP levels from Divinity 2.

update

Larian cannot into video editing. The video is not finished.

It looked perfect to me, what you mean?

 

[Mangoose]

Forgot to add this:

So, what do you folk think is the surprise at 666?

surprise sex

 

[felipepepe]

They'll summon the Killer Bunny back.

 

[Crooked Bee]

Man they cut an entire city out of Div 2

 

[MicoSelva]

This should be obligatory by now:

 

[80Maxwell08]

Forgot to add this:

So, what do you folk think is the surprise at 666?

They accidentally hit the cancel project button.

 

[Mangoose]

I have you say you guys do a good job of portraying a great corporate culture, I'm sure hiding all of Sven's unspeakable fetishes in the basement.

 

[Gord]

I have you say you guys do a good job of portraying a great corporate culture, I'm sure hiding all of Sven's unspeakable fetishes in the basement.

Right besides the room where they keep their trainees and coding slaves chained to the walls, I'm sure.

 

[Kirkpatrick]

That's a nice Shrike drawing there, not how I've imagined it though. Some Larian artist fooling around, and used his paper for this, or they actually plan to put it in the game? Can they?

 

[J_C]

Great update, those upgrades on the level design were very impressive to watch. Also, RIP levels from Divinity 2.

update

Larian cannot into video editing. The video is not finished.

It looked perfect to me, what you mean?

It is alright now, but first there was only a 4.42 min. long video, instead of the normal 5 minutes. It just cut out before the end.

 

[Jack Dandy]

I really liked the before\after parts of the video. Hope this kind of care goes into the full game.

 

[abnaxus]

 

[VonVentrue]

Forgot to add this:
(picture)
So, what do you folk think is the surprise at 666?

Notch steps in and funds whatever the remaining amount turns out to be at the end of the campaign so that the final stretchgoal is reached.

Gosh, wouldn't that be wonderful.

 

[Gicusan]

While listening to Sven and his Larian boys talking about the game I feel more and more that they are doing their best to make a really good one. I dont get that Fargo (and Project Eternity) feeling that they are mostly saying what we want to hear and not feeling it at a deep level - except Colin, I really like him. They are really "bros" as people were saying around those forums. That deserves our money (and the money of the people unaware, even the papamoles) and they deserve it much more than most kickstarter projects do. They show us a game and they give a really good vibe. I dont like every feature there is in the game (especially the dialogues and convincing in the single player dont sound good - I want a story there, a complicated companion that answers upon his complex life experience (rpg stuff) not upon 1 of 3-5 simple words I chose when I begin the game that will be his/hers personality). But I got the feeling they really want to make this game and they really need those money to make it good. Let us try to spread that word and our pockets and help them make it.

Sven, you guys are great regardless of some stretch goals I am very afraid you may not make. You are not wrong in your approach. Keep up the good work.

PS:
I am waiting for my paycheck to really back you guys and I hope many pockets emptied by Torment will get into action in good time.

 

[J_C]