Larian’s Swen Vincke: Skip the older Divinity games unless you’re after the lore.

A new chapter in the Divinity saga is on the horizon, thanks to Larian Studios, and it all kicked off with that eye-catching statue at The Game Awards. As we gear up for this latest entry in the Baldur’s Gate series, Larian’s founder, Swen Vincke, has some insights for those looking to revisit the earlier titles.

Vincke emphasizes that diving into the two Divinity: Original Sin games will reveal plenty of references in the upcoming installment. “If you play those two, you’ll notice callbacks in this new Divinity,” he explains. “Fans of the first Divinity will also find familiar elements woven into the narrative. Titles like Ego Draconis and The Dragon Knight Saga are all part of the lore that has shaped this world.”

However, while these past games enrich the experience, they’re not essential for grasping the new story. Vincke suggests that players only need to explore them if they’re keen on the backstory. “If you enjoyed Baldur’s Gate 3 for its cinematic narrative, you might not need to play the earlier titles unless you’re interested in the lore,” he notes. “But if you loved the tactical combat, co-op multiplayer, or the freedom of choice, then Original Sin 2 is a must-play, as it laid the groundwork for BG3. Original Sin 1 is also worth checking out, though it doesn’t have the same companion dynamics.”

It’s important to remember that Baldur’s Gate 3 and the Divinity games exist in separate universes—Baldur’s Gate is set in Faerûn, part of the Forgotten Realms, while Rivellon is Larian’s own creation. Yet, both share the same creative vision, making Baldur’s Gate 3 a modern touchstone for whatever challenges the new Divinity will present.

“If you want the full picture, there are older games to explore,” Vincke concludes, “but keep in mind they might feel a bit dated now.”

Larian’s lead also mentioned that a RAM shortage is impacting the development of Divinity, indicating that “a lot of optimization work in early access that we didn’t necessarily want to do” is required.