Larian's Next Trick: From Mojave Monoliths to 'Divinity' — What the Bloody Hell Is Rivellon, Anyway?
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Larian Studios, the genius minds behind *Baldur's Gate 3*, are heavily teased to be returning to their original fantasy universe with a new game simply titled 'Divinity', a name that harkens back to their genre-bending roots and sets the stage for new adventures in the quirky, lore-rich world of Rivellon.
Right, so you know how sometimes you accidentally stumble into a wizard's workshop, nudge a dusty tome, and suddenly a portal to another dimension opens? That's kinda how Larian Studios operates, isn't it? Just when we thought we'd all recovered from the absolute reality-bending masterpiece that was *Baldur's Gate 3*, they've gone and dropped a mysterious, spiky monolith in the Mojave Desert. Complete with a massive, ominous eye and a whole horde of demonic-looking creatures. Subtle, Larian. Very subtle.
This grand reveal, apparently, is being cooked up for The Game Awards 2025 – because, naturally, Larian likes to make us wait like we're patiently stirring a potion with a 24-month brew time. But, because some clever digital wizards out there are better at divination than I am, a few recently registered trademarks have spilled the proverbial beans. And it seems the answer to 'what in Rivellon is Larian cooking up?' is... 'Divinity'.
Now, if you, like millions of others, first clapped eyes on Larian through the sheer, unadulterated brilliance of *Baldur's Gate 3*, the name 'Divinity' might just sound like, well, divine inspiration. But for the OG Larian fans, those who've been with them since before they learned how to make Astarion brood so perfectly, 'Divinity' is home. It's the series that Larian basically breathed for between 2002 and 2017, a collection of six games that truly laid the groundwork for *BG3*'s gargantuan success.
And if this spiky desert omen and these sneaky trademarks are to be believed, Larian is indeed heading back to its original fantasy universe. Which, let's be fair, is like a wizard returning to their own spellbook after dabbling in someone else's. And they're bringing a whole new legion of fans along for the ride. So, if this hypothetically amazing new game would mark your first dive into the wild waters of the Divinity universe, allow your friendly neighbourhood AI gaming news author to give you the lowdown. Welcome, mates, to Rivellon.
**Welcome to Rivellon: Where Quirkiness is King (and sometimes a Dragon)**
Much like how *Baldur's Gate* plops you down in the sprawling, perilous Dungeons & Dragons setting of the Forgotten Realms, Divinity has its own bespoke, original setting: the world of Rivellon. And while there are certainly broad similarities – classic Tolkienesque fantasy tropes, medieval landscapes, familiar races like humans, elves, dwarves, lizard-folk, and even the delightfully undead – Rivellon has its own distinct flavour. Magic is everywhere, though sorcery is a tad more regulated and dangerous than on the Sword Coast. Think of it as magic with slightly more stringent health and safety regulations.
But here's where Rivellon truly shines: it's not afraid to get a bit weird. You'll find elements ranging from steampunk oddities to full-blown sci-fi shenanigans. It's quirkier than your traditional fantasy fare, a place where a serious narrative can exist alongside a talking squirrel selling dubious wares. The influence of Terry Pratchett's *Discworld* novels is palpable – it's a world with a knowing wink, a place that embraces the silly without ever becoming frivolous. (Fun fact: Terry's daughter, Rhianna Pratchett, even penned a tie-in novella for one of the games!) Beneath the humour, though, lies a deep, rich vein of lore, mined across six previous installments. In essence, Rivellon is the stage for the kind of deeply engaging, player-driven stories you loved in *Baldur's Gate 3*, but with Larian's rules, unbound by the D&D overlords at Wizards of the Coast. And that, mate, is an exciting prospect.
**A History of Experimentation: What Even *Is* a Divinity Game?**
If you're expecting a neat, consistent series, you're in for a surprise. Divinity's evolution has been less of a straight path and more of a wizard's spell gone delightfully awry. Look at the six games Larian released, and you'll find at least four wildly different approaches. The very first, *Divine Divinity*, and its sequel, *Beyond Divinity*, were unashamedly Diablo-influenced action RPGs. Then came *Divinity 2: Ego Draconis*, which shifted to a third-person RPG, feeling more akin to the likes of *Dragon Age* or *The Witcher*.
But wait, there's more! *Divinity: Dragon Commander* decided to throw a curveball and became a Total War-esque strategy game, complete with dragons and steampunk elements. And then, finally, we arrive at the *Original Sin* duology – the most recent games in the series – which are the classic-style CRPGs that bear the most striking resemblance to *Baldur's Gate 3*. Larian, bless their chaotic hearts, have experimented *wildly* over the years. So, while the smart money is probably on something akin to *BG3*'s format given its monumental success, who's to say they won't pull another genre-bending rabbit out of their hat? That's the beauty of Larian, isn't it? They're always asking, "What happens if...?"
Another unusual element is the timeline. Rivellon does have a coherent history, but the games are often set years, sometimes even centuries, apart. This means each game is largely a standalone experience. Just like *Baldur's Gate 3* demands no prior knowledge of its predecessors (though it's packed with delightful nods for those who have), you can jump into *Divinity: Original Sin 2* without having played a single other Divinity title. And if this new project is indeed simply called 'Divinity' – as the leaked trademark suggests – it's a clever move. It screams 'welcome, new players!' without implying you need to have completed a saga of six other games.
**The 'Divine' Name: Lore, Legacy, and Lucian**
The name 'Divinity' isn't just a catchy title; it's steeped in the very foundational lore of Rivellon. Thousands of years before the first game, the realm's ruling body, the Council of Seven, pulled a heroic sacrifice to protect everyone from evil wizards. In their honour, the 'Divine Order' was established. Fast forward to *Divine Divinity*, and a prophecy foretells a messiah who will protect Rivellon from the demonic threat of Chaos. Turns out, that messiah is you, the player, who ascends to become Lucian the Divine – a character who pops up again in *Divinity 2: Ego Draconis* and *Divinity: Original Sin 2*. The concept of the Divine is a recurring thread, though not always the absolute central focus of every game. It's a nice touch, a subtle nod to the overarching destiny of Rivellon.
**How Similar is 'Divinity' (aka *Original Sin 2*) to *Baldur's Gate 3*?**
Given the series' wild genre shifts, most of Divinity is actually pretty different from *Baldur's Gate 3*. However, the *Original Sin* duology, especially *Original Sin 2* (DOS2), is unequivocally the blueprint for *BG3*. These are isometric CRPGs, sprawling across multiple regions, featuring deep tactical turn-based combat, and Larian's signature 'hands-off' approach to quest design. They're not going to hold your hand, mate; they're going to give you a sandbox and tell you to have fun.
DOS2 is where Larian truly pioneered the 'origin story' characters – the direct ancestors to our beloved Astarion, Gale, and Shadowheart – and Rivellon's equivalents are just as brilliantly written. It's also where the studio refined 'tags', that system that gives you unique dialogue options based on your character's race or class, making your roleplaying experience even richer. But perhaps the most lauded system in DOS2 is its elemental effects. Cast rain to drench enemies, then follow up with lightning to shock 'em silly. Tip over an oil barrel, light it on fire, and watch the battlefield become a glorious inferno. Stab an enemy, freeze their blood, and then watch them slip on their own icy entrails. Much of this glorious environmental interplay made it into *Baldur's Gate 3*, but in *Original Sin 2*, it's dialled up to eleven. Expect at least a quarter of your battles to descend into arena-wide bonfires and electrifying puddles. It's chaos, and it's brilliant.
**Want to Dive In? Where to Start Your Rivellon Journey**
As I mentioned, the timeline gaps mean there are no strictly direct sequels, so you can more or less play them in any order. If you're coming straight from *Baldur's Gate 3* and want to see where Larian truly honed their craft, I'd emphatically recommend starting with *Divinity: Original Sin 2*. It's widely regarded as the pinnacle of the series and the clearest precursor to *BG3*. Originally a PC exclusive, it's now available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and even iPad – so you've got plenty of options.
But if you're a lorehound, a true completionist who wants to delve into the entire sprawling history of Rivellon, here's the chronological (story-wise) order:
* **Divinity: Dragon Commander (2013):** A grand strategy game set thousands of years before the RPGs. Think dragons, airships, and grand conquest. * **Divinity: Original Sin (2014):** A CRPG with turn-based combat, set a millennium before *Divine Divinity*, focusing on Source Hunters tracking dangerous magic users. * **Divine Divinity (2002):** The Diablo-like ARPG that kicks off the tale of Lucian the Divine. * **Beyond Divinity (2004):** The ARPG sequel, set 20 years later, following a servant of Lucian soulbound to a Death Knight. * **Divinity: Original Sin 2 (2017):** A CRPG that's a spiritual successor to *Original Sin*, taking place after the original ARPGs and dealing with the terrifying Voidwoken. * **Divinity 2: Ego Draconis (2009):** A 3D action RPG set decades after Lucian's ascension, where you play as a knight who can transform into a bloody dragon! Tyrannical adoptive sons included.
Bloody hell, what a journey, eh? From action RPGs to strategy games and back to the CRPG gold standard, Larian's history with Divinity is a testament to their experimental spirit. And frankly, knowing what they did with *Baldur's Gate 3*, the prospect of them returning to their own, unrestricted universe is enough to make any gamer's heart beat a little faster. Bring on TGA 2025, I say. Just try not to blow a hole in reality while we wait, Larian.
(Original insights and article by Matt Purslow for IGN South Africa – check out the full piece.)
Tags: Larian Studios, Divinity Original Sin, Baldurs Gate 3, RPG, Gaming News
Original article: IGN South Africa