Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian Studios recently pulled the curtain back on its next venture during The Game Awards 2025. The title? Simply, Divinity. Beyond an incredibly audacious trailer, details remain elusive. We’re still left in the dark about its combat style. The original foray into the franchise, 2002’s Divine Divinity, was heavily influenced by Diablo—an action RPG featuring real-time combat. This started a lineage that continued with two action-RPG sequels: 2004’s Beyond Divinity and 2009’s Divinity II. However, in recent years, the Divinity name has become synonymous with the prequel titles, Original Sin and Original Sin 2, both of which adopted a turn-based tactical RPG format that aligns more closely with the emotional narrative depth we’ve seen in Baldur’s Gate than any fast-paced brawls typical of Diablo.
This brings us to a tantalizing question regarding the upcoming Divinity: with such a plain title, is Larian planning to revert to its action-RPG roots, or will they keep the turn-based formula that has gained them such acclaim? Right now, it’s anyone’s guess, but opinions are definitely buzzing.
Before Divinity was officially announced, content creator Synth Potato ignited a lively debate on Twitter. They noted, “There are rumors that Larian’s next game ‘Divinity’ is NOT turn-based.” Reflecting on their own journey into turn-based games and the deep narrative of Baldur’s Gate 3, they added, “Larian’s insane depth in writing and gameplay being applied to a real-time action RPG would be INSANE.”
As you can imagine, this sparked a wave of responses, with many echoing a sentiment that Larian crafting a new action-RPG “would go so hard.” One user was particularly vocal, suggesting that turn-based mechanics should fade into history: “Every great turn-based game is great despite being turn-based. Look how Final Fantasy evolved.”
Not everyone was on board with that notion, though. A contrarian voice pointed out the freedom provided by turn-based systems, particularly in Baldur’s Gate 3. Their words reflect a growing sentiment: “If you haven’t experienced it, you really should.”
The discussion continued over on the Divinity Original Sin subreddit, where opinions tended to lean towards the favor of turn-based gameplay. One Redditor emphatically declared, “Ain’t no way Divinity isn’t turn-based.” They based this statement on the perceived similarities between the gameplay of BG3 during early access and DOS2. Their confidence is palpable, stating, “BG3 is not only one of the most successful RPGs of all time, but THE most successful turn-based RPG. There’s no way they’re tossing that aside.”
To that, another user dramatically declared, “If Divinity is not a turn-based CRPG, I will eat a raw potato.” Now, I’m no hardcore fan of any one side, but with the string of triumphs Larian has had with Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s hard to believe they’d pivot back to action.
Larian’s own Swen Vincke has mentioned that the new Divinity is “our biggest, most ambitious RPG yet” and “the Divinity we’ve always wanted to make.” That wording gives me pause; it doesn’t quite scream that the studio is about to scrap the model that has proven successful for them over the last decade. So who knows? Maybe I’ll join the raw potato club if this game shifts gears dramatically.
What’s crystal clear, though, is that Divinity is positioned as a “brand-new game” that won’t necessitate previous experience with Larian’s titles—but jumping into Original Sin and its successor might give you a leg up on understanding the universe they’re building.