What type of RPG is dos2? A Deep Dive into Divinity: Original Sin 2 as a Tactical CRPG Masterpiece

As an avid gamer and RPG fanatic, few games have consumed my life recently like Divinity: Original Sin 2. This sprawling fantasy epic by Larian Studios exemplifies the tactical CRPG genre, revitalizing hardcore computer roleplaying with turn-based combat requiring expert strategy. DOS2 stands proudly alongside classics like Ultima and Wizardry, while demonstrating how far the genre has come.

With this post, I want to take you on a journey explaining exactly why I think DOS2 is a tactical CRPG masterpiece. Get ready for an in-depth look at its genius mechanics and why they create nearly endless opportunities for clever tactics on the battlefield. Whether you‘re a fellow code-crunching RPG nut or just CRPG-curious, let‘s dig into the systems that I think make DOS2 one of the greatest strategy roleplaying experiences ever crafted.

A Quick Primer on Computer RPG Classics

To start, we should touch briefly on the history of classic computer RPGs, or CRPGs. While I could devote multiple posts to just this genesis, here are some key points:

• CRPGs originated in the late 1970s as computers adapted tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons. Early influential titles included Ultima, Wizardry, Wasteland and later Fallout.

• They focused heavily on statistics, character customization, nonlinear exploration, and turn-based combat requiring tactical thought rather than quick reflexes.

• Core elements included party-based play, deep character progression systems, expansive quests, grid-based battle arenas, and challenging dungeon diving.

• Classics continued through the 90s with Baldur‘s Gate, Planescape: Torment, Fallout 2. A number of developers carried this legacy forward.

DOS2 proudly continues this lineage of tactical CRPG experiences. It just dresses up the formula brilliantly with modern graphics, voice acting, and quality-of-life improvements. However, its soul remains immersed in those pioneering CRPG principles.

Now let‘s examine specifically why Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s gameplay makes it shine as a sterling example of the genre.

DOS2‘s Gameplay Is a Tactical Combat Masterclass

DOS2‘s turn-based combat takes place on a grid with initiative determining order. Action points limit movements and abilities. Height, facing, positioning, and environmental effects all factor crucially into every decision.

This demands meticulously strategizing each turn to maximize ability synergies. Unlike hack-‘n‘-slash ARPGs, you can‘t just spam attacks and potions to brute force past sloppy play. Every misstep in DOS2 means certain doom against its smart enemy AI on higher difficulties.

Approaching each new encounter creates an immensely satisfying puzzle. Here are some examples of mechanics that contribute to the deep tactical creativity:

Action Points – Positioning and ability use costs AP, so you must budget carefully. Do you move into range or attack from afar? When to delay/hold actions becomes key.

Surfaces – Elemental ground types like oil, water, and poison completely alter combat dynamics. Fire to ignite oil slicks, or electricity to stun in water.

Height – Taking the high ground provides benefits to ranged attacks and vision. Creative positioning is huge.

Skills – Coordinating powerful combo skills between characters multiplies damage exponentially. Group teleportation also becomes essential.

Consumables – Items like grenades, arrows, and scrolls provide immense tactical versatility. Know your arsenal inside-out.

Permadeath – Fallen companions are gone for good on Classic mode. This makes every decision carry tremendous weight.

I could devote pages detailing mechanics that feed into DOS2‘s tactical potential. But simply put, it offers nearly limitless opportunities to experiment and prove your strategic mastery. This commitment to meaningful mechanical depth exemplifies Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s origins as a tabletop-inspired CRPG.

How DOS2 Improves on Tactical CRPG Classics

While standing on the shoulders of giants like Ultima and XCOM, DOS2 also evolves the genre tremendously through its groundbreaking environmental interaction system. We‘ve never seen a CRPG integrate positioning and elemental effects so seamlessly.

Consider pioneers like Ultima VII, published in 1992. While incredibly advanced for its time, its grid-based battlemaps were sterile and lifeless. DOS2 makes combat arenas feel like living worlds. Every object potentially affects the battlefield‘s tactical dynamics.

This massively increases the possibilities for creative problem solving compared to classics of the 90s and 2000s. DOS2 represents a quantum leap forward in meaningful environmental interactions. It respects the deep tactical legacy of CRPGs while advancing the state-of-the-art tremendously.

Reviews Confirm: This Is Tactical Combat Perfection

Critics overwhelmingly praised Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s intricate combat systems. Many reviews singled out its dedication to rewarding strategic mastery. Let‘s look at some choice quotes:

"The complexity of Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s combat makes every encounter an engaging, blood-pumping puzzle." – IGN, score 9.6/10

"Divinity: Original Sin 2 teaches you new tactics with every fight; slowly you transform from novice to grandmaster." – GameWatcher, score 9/10

"Just when you think you‘ve gained the upper hand, some new wrinkle forces you to rethink your strategies from the ground up." – GameInformer, score 9.25/10

"Combat scenarios morph into complex puzzles with several solutions." – GameSpace, score 9.5/10

"Approach each fight with meticulous care, as if devising a strategic game of dimensional chess." – Wccftech, score 9.5/10

As these excerpts demonstrate, reviewers clearly recognized DOS2‘s dedication to rewarding players for tactical mastery. This praise reaffirms it as not only an excellent RPG, but a pedigree tactical CRPG.

Comparisons with Other Acclaimed Tactical RPGs

While a modern classic, DOS2 stands on the shoulders of many pioneering tactical RPGs before it. Here are some other acclaimed titles that helped pave the way:

XCOM – The most direct analog with its grid arenas, punishing difficulty, and emphasis on positioning. DOS2 is like a fantasy XCOM with deeper RPG systems.

Wasteland 2 – A post-apocalyptic CRPG with challenging turn-based battles requiring custom party builds.

Shadowrun – A cyberpunk tactical RPG where buffs, debuffs, and environmental effects win battles.

Pillars of Eternity – Provides extreme class customization and challenging real-time with pause combat.

Pathfinder: Kingmaker – An adaptation of the tabletop Pathfinder system with deep strategic party management.

Each of these helped establish concepts and design patterns that DOS2 perfected. It distills the best ideas of its predecessors into one incredible fantasy tactical experience.

Gameplay Tips from a Tactical Master

Now that I‘ve made the case for DOS2‘s brilliance, let me offer some tips from the perspective of a grizzled tactical master. I‘ve accumulated over 250 hours across multiple playthroughs, so listen close!

First, think carefully about party composition – don‘t double up on skills and make sure you have healing. Combat requires covering all bases. I suggest starting with an even mix of magic and physical damage dealers.

Save often and in different slots when trying risky strategies. Reloading to experiment is essential. Quicksave before battles so you can retry different approaches.

Elevation and positioning are everything. Never leave archers or mages vulnerable. Abuse line of sight by blocking melee enemies‘ paths.

Always carry supply scrolls to create elemental surfaces like oil and water in a pinch. Rain scrolls also help immensely against fire enemies.

Never underestimate buffs and debuffs. Stock up on skills that cripple enemy accuracy or drain their Action Points. These can completely tilt a fight.

Hopefully these tips help you survive the brutal but rewarding battles of DOS2! I have so much more to share, but will save it for future posts.

Conclusion: An All-Time Tactical CRPG Masterpiece

Through its expansive world, freedom of choice, and deep mechanics, Divinity: Original Sin 2 captures the spirit of classic CRPGs like Ultima and Wizardry. But where it truly innovates is challenging, highly tactical turn-based combat.

Few games can match DOS2‘s sheer depth of strategic systems. It expertly blends tabletop RPG principles with extensive environmental interaction and combos between party members‘ skills. The result is a game that both respects and progresses the genre – a modern tactical CRPG masterpiece.

For any fellow strategy fans, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is mandatory playing. Grab up to 3 friends for the full co-op experience and prepare for one of the most rewarding tactical challenges in gaming history. I hope this post helped break down exactly why dos2 exemplifies the pinnacle of classic CRPG combat. Let me know if you have any other questions – I could talk DOS2 tactics all day!