Larian’s Next Big Game: Just “Divinity”
Larian Studios has finally revealed its next project after the massive success of Baldur’s Gate 3, and it is returning to the universe that put the studio on the map: Divinity. For now, the game is simply called “Divinity” and it is being described by Larian as its biggest project ever, even larger than Baldur’s Gate 3.
That short announcement was all it took to ignite a wave of speculation and arguments across social media, Reddit, TikTok, and YouTube. Not about the story or the setting, but about something very specific that matters a lot to PC gamers: will the new Divinity be turn based or real time with pause?
The answer is not confirmed yet, but the debate is already intense and surprisingly emotional. To understand why, it helps to look at the history of the Divinity series and how Larian became one of the most respected RPG developers on PC.
From Real Time Roots To Turn Based Glory
The modern image of Larian is closely tied to deep, tactical turn based RPGs. Divinity Original Sin and Divinity Original Sin 2 won over PC players with crunchy combat systems, clever environmental interactions, and co op friendly design. Baldur’s Gate 3 then took that formula and exploded it into one of the biggest RPG hits of all time, proving that turn based gameplay could be both mainstream and wildly successful.
But the Divinity series did not start out that way. Long before Original Sin, the older Divinity games were very different:
Divine Divinity and Beyond Divinity were real time action RPGs with an isometric perspective.
Divinity 2: Ego Draconis blended third person action combat with a wild dragon transformation gimmick.
In other words, most of the early Divinity games were some flavor of real time action RPG, not turn based at all. That is why some long time fans are open to the idea of Larian going back to its roots and making the new Divinity a real time ARPG again.
However, the majority of the studio’s newer fans discovered Larian through Divinity Original Sin 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3. For them, “Divinity” means meticulous turn based battles, smart positioning, and chain reactions between fire, ice, poison, and lightning. The thought of abandoning that style is worrying to a lot of players, especially when Larian has become one of the best in the world at designing this type of combat.
The Internet Debate: Turn Based Versus Real Time
Speculation really kicked off when a content creator on X suggested there were rumors that Larian’s next game, Divinity, might not be turn based. That single line was enough to blow up comment sections everywhere.
On one side are the turn based fans who see that style as core to modern Larian:
They argue that Larian’s biggest successes are all turn based.
They love the strategic depth and tabletop feel of combat in Original Sin and Baldur’s Gate 3.
They worry that switching to real time could flatten the depth and careful planning that makes these games so satisfying.
On the other side are players interested in a return to real time or even something closer to an action RPG:
They point out that early Divinity games were real time and still fun.
They are curious to see what Larian could do if it applied its modern design skills to a more action heavy system.
They believe the studio should follow whatever gameplay style best fits its new story and world, not just repeat past hits.
The argument has spread across Reddit, X, TikTok, and YouTube, with fans trading takes about what makes an RPG “feel right” and whether Larian should stick with what works or experiment again. Some commenters are adamant that there is “no way” Divinity will be anything but turn based. Others are more relaxed and simply want to see what the devs think is best for the game.
What The Clues Suggest For PC Gamers
Larian has not officially confirmed the combat style yet, but there are a few clues that give PC players something to work with.
First, there is the studio’s recent track record. Divinity Original Sin 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3 were huge critical and commercial hits. Those games did not just perform well, they redefined expectations for modern CRPGs on PC. It would be a bold move to walk away from that proven formula right as the studio’s popularity has exploded.
Second, in its announcement, Larian specifically mentioned Divinity Original Sin 1 and 2 when introducing the new game. The studio said that while the new Divinity will be a fresh entry that does not require any previous experience, players who have played the Original Sin games will get extra understanding and a sense of continuity.
That could simply refer to story and world building, but many fans read it as a hint that the new game will share similar systems and design philosophies. In other words, if you are comfortable with how Original Sin plays, you will likely feel at home in Divinity.
There is also the fact that Larian already transformed Baldur’s Gate, originally a real time with pause series, into a fully turn based experience and still won over millions of players. That is a strong sign that the studio believes in turn based as the best way to deliver its style of storytelling, combat, and player choice.
Of course, Larian founder Swen Vincke is known for taking risks and experimenting. Some fans even joke that he could decide to turn Divinity into a real time strategy game just to surprise everyone. While that is probably a stretch, it captures an important truth: this is a studio that does not like standing still.
For now, the real takeaway for PC gamers is simple. Larian is making its biggest game yet, it is set in the Divinity universe, and it is likely to build on the strengths that made Original Sin and Baldur’s Gate 3 so beloved. Whether that ends up being pure turn based combat, a hybrid system, or a surprise twist, it will be tuned for PC players who love deep RPGs.
Until more concrete details arrive, the debates will keep raging. But underneath all the arguing about turn based versus real time, there is one shared assumption across the community: whatever shape Divinity takes, it is going to be one of the most watched PC RPG releases when it finally lands.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/everyones-arguing-about-whether-divinity-will-be-turn-based-or-an-arpg-and-im-not-sure-why-because-the-answer-seems-obvious/
