Divinity 2 has similar writing, music, atmosphere, etc to Divine Divinity. Quest design is better, with some quests having up to a dozen or so solutions, and the mindreading feature can open up other options. I don't know where you are getting the MMO comparison (never had any interest in trying one), except for purely cosmetic things (like an icon over an NPC that has something to say to you). Having played the demo for Torchlight and a bit of Diablo 3, I don't get the comparison to them, either.

FWIW Divinity Original Sin is going back to an isometric camera perspective, and the design draws a lot on Divine Divinity (and Ultima VII). Kickstarter backers have alpha access now; it may show up on Steam early access soon, or the beta may be available for pre-orderers (Larian is in the process of deciding whether to go the early access route; blog post).

I totally agree with your perspective Raze. I love both games and found the third person perspective in DD2 super. I also found the choices in how to resolve a quest gave the game replay value, and mind reading added a fun element.

Thanks for the update on Divinity Original Sin - I'm really looking forward to this game.

i fail to feel any emotional investment. Like Eschalon. i just played that. BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL and PERFECT in every way possible. EXCEPT, I didn't give a flying fuck about the characters. the only one who was barely interesting was the Chancellor. and that seems to be missing from DD 2. it FEELS cookie cutter. DD1 never did. sometimse too many options are BADD, and a game shouldn't look like everybody else's. DD1 never did.

;)
it makes me feel like I'm playing a game all right... but not DD. It FEELs like a cookie cutter Everquest clone, nd a bad one at that. Like Torchlight. You don't really get to play that game. all you do is run around with meaningless characters collecting ites nad doing meaningless quests. Asa person used to psychological depth and excellent comic writing, I require more Zork 0,1,2,3, etc/Zork Nemesis, less Grand Theft Auto. translation: more meaning and intrigue, less emotionally stunted step and fetch it.

i'm sorry, but that's how it is for meh.

HOWEVERRR

I am VERY MUCh looking forward to Original Sin though. it sounds like DD1.

Even my number one contestant for a love-hate relationship, ARCANUM, has more soul than DD2 at this point in my game. BUt I will keep playing, hoping it changes my mind. I'll give it that much. too many menus, windows etc.. suspends belief and takes you out of the game. That was another mistake. they took the vital in game menu, the SIMPLE, EASY TO USE menu that the player needs to be able to SEE ON SCREEN AT ALL TIMES, (cue, DD1 and Eschalon B1) and just... removed it to the esc menu. URK.

but anyway, thanks for replying you guys! ;) i really appreciate that. ;) GOd i hope I'm wrong. I hope it so BAD.

You do have more of a personal relationship with NPCs in DD, starting out in a small village and having those few characters available though most of the game, and a couple involved in later quests. Divinity 2 lacks a bit of that with an initial area you don't revisit and a fair sized town in Broken Valley.

YESSS! yes yes yes, you put what I was trying to say into words. thank you!!!!

Usually when a game lacks that personal repaltionship with the characters, it causes me to feel cheated in a game.
I enjoy that relationship thing... just not shoved down my throat when they go the other extreme way with it. ;)

yes! thank you for putting that into words! ;)

and thanks for replying!

Just a thought.....

I wonder if part of the reason for how some players feel about DD is down to not just how the NPC relationships work, but is also due to how Aleroth is the first village/town where you are required to find your character a place with a bed to rest in. In DD, the first building I select becomes the place I teleport back to for rest and recuperation, also to off load items I wish to keep. So the house in Aleroth does become my character's ‘home’ for the majority of the game.

Resting in DD2 doesn't work in the same way, so nowhere in the game feels like 'home' in the manner described above.

Neither does looting. You can not collect a few chests in a style you like and place them around your home base to sort stuff into. You can break crates and vases, but you can not rearrange them, or move furniture, etc.

Yes! That does support my point as it appears DD encourages the 'home maker' in those who play, DD2 doesn't. :)

I did miss these aspects in DD2, but love the game overall.