After the release of Larian Studios' critically-acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin, it's no question that RPG fans have clamored for a sequel. Thankfully, the team delivered in 2017 with the release of Original Sin 2 for the PC. This sequel brought gamers a century after the events of the first game. With Original Sin 2, players now have a new playable race, a gripping narrative, new skills, and more complex battle tactics.
As such, it's a surprise that Larian managed to bring the game to the Nintendo Switch in 2019. Additionally, Original Sin 2 for the Switch is its Definitive Edition, giving players access to special mods as well! This reveal may have come as a surprise for a lot of fans, as the game boasts an extremely complex gameplay system. Thankfully, the Switch delivered an equally-amazing handheld Original Sin 2 experience.
10 Switch Is Best: A Portable Experience
Fans of the Nintendo Switch likely love the handheld for the abundance of console ports. After all, other popular CRPGs such as Diablo 3 and Pillars of Eternity proved it's possible to bring their depth of gameplay and story into a portable experience. And with Larian Studios' efforts, Original Sin 2 fans might be surprised to see this CRPG get a successful console port as well.
Unlike the bulkier and "heavier" feeling of the PC game, Original Sin 2 for the Switch is a more portable experience. Players can finally resume their adventure without having to bring a laptop or their entire desktop. Moreover, the Steam crossplay option will let them resume their PC experience anytime, anywhere.
9 PC Is Better: Enjoy Tactical Immersion
Players at first glance might think Original Sin 2 is the typical run-of-the-mill CRPG. And in many ways, it is - as it's by all means like any isometric CRPG. After all, players can choose a race and a class preset, have access to Skills, level up, and even use different gear. However, where Original Sin 2 shines is its depth of options for players.
Like other CRPGs, Original Sin 2 boasts a wealth of Skills, spells, and battle options. Unique to it, however, is its inclusion of a more tactical flavor. In Original Sin 2, players have interactive elements, teleportation and telekinesis, and the ability to blow up almost everything. The PC encapsulates this breadth of options with pristine graphics, all working well to immerse players into the world of Rivellon like a tactical commander.
8 Switch Is Best: Accessibility Is Key
While it's true that a lot of ports made their way to the Switch, not all these games are accessible. Sometimes, graphics or gameplay takes a toll as devs try their hardest to "stay true" to their original experience. As such, it's reasonable for players to worry about how these PC games can "transition" properly to consoles without ruining player enjoyment.
Thankfully, Original Sin 2 for the Switch isn't just the Definitive Edition, but it's also extremely accessible. For instance, the game retains its original PC interface. In this case, there's a map on the top right, all characters on the left, and the hotkeys below. However, Larian Studios converts the keyboard shortcuts into options easily accessible via the Left and Right triggers. As such, it's easy to shuffle between characters and menu options.
7 PC Is Better: Robust Set Of Options
While it's true that Original Sin 2 looks great as a console port, the PC version does offer more combat options. The console doesn't have that "depth" of navigating the battlefield from a larger screen. As such, console battles might feel a bit cramped and constrained. However, thanks to the expanded worldview of the PC, there's much more to see and think about.
Fans of tactics and strategy games may appreciate Original Sin 2 more in the form of a PC game. After all, the PC offers more options to be seen and accessed with just a few keyboard shortcuts. While the console port prioritizes convenience, the PC version offers all the robust options the game offers - from mods down to the tiniest of graphical preferences.
6 Switch Is Best: Reworked For Consoles
Aside from accessibility, the Original Sin 2 Switch port has been reworked by Larian Studios to better accommodate the Switch. For instance, the devs highlighted the Switch's dock mode and enlarged the user interface to fit television screens. Moreover, despite the depth of gameplay and narrative, text size remains readable without sacrificing depth of detail.
Additionally, the much-contested Journal received a rework. Instead of having everything in a single tab, the Journal now has different parts - dividing major questlines and side stories. Moreover, Larian mentioned having added or rewritten "more than 150,000" words of text. As such, this factor potentially changes or adds many things to help tell a more cohesive story.
5 PC Is Better: Messy But Classic
Eagle-eyed players might find some aspects of Original Sin 2 for the PC a bit "hit-and-miss." For instance, while the moral ambiguity of the story remains as one of its highlights, some elements of gameplay make Original Sin 2 a bit "wonky" for PC players. For instance, the aforementioned Journal was indeed messy in the original title. Moreover, difficulty in conversation skill checks may need some work.
However, some might argue it's these little rusty parts that make Original Sin 2 a unique experience. Players having to rummage through their journal to find that "one clue" is an experience in itself. After all, real-life adventures don't have glowing pointers in text messages or letters.
4 Switch Is Best: Tie Up Loose Ends
Aside from accessibility, Larian Studios also took the time to tie up some loose ends in Original Sin 2's Switch iteration. For instance, the game now focuses on being more straightforward with their quest and gear descriptions. This element is unlike the original game's more in-depth approach. While gamers might say this "ruins" some of the flavor of the game, it does make the Switch version more free-flowing.
However, this feature also helps expands on some of the more obscure parts of the story. Players no longer have to wonder why some parts of the game happened the way they did as the Switch variant takes the time to help weave everything together, lessening loose ends.
3 PC Is Better: First Is Always Unforgettable
Thanks to the depth of the narrative in Original Sin 2, it's easy for players to get lost in all the story. Moreover, given the remarkable freedom of choice to players, they might find themselves motivated to kill random NPCs to test their Skills. Unfortunately, some seemingly-random NPCs end up being integral to their own sidequests. As such, players might wonder why some quests suddenly end or get cut short.
However, it's perhaps these "mysterious" elements that motivate players enough to make another playthrough. It's in this irresistible nature of knowing all of Original Sin 2's stories - from the main story down to side quests - that make it such a memorable game in the first place.
2 Switch Is Best: Cross-Save, Gift Bags
Interestingly, Original Sin 2 for the Switch isn't just a console port. In fact, it's a Definitive Edition - boasting to be the complete experience - with some free Gift Bags! As such, players now have the option to play the base Definitive Edition as it is, or perhaps spice things up with convenient Gift Bags.
Moreover, the Definite Edition for the Switch gives players the opportunity to cross-save into their Steam version of Original Sin 2. As such, players will now be able to play both in the PC and on the Switch without a hitch. Why settle for just one device when players can play in two, right?
1 PC Is Better: Game Master Mode
Other players might compare Original Sin 2 to a TTRPG like Dungeons & Dragons. After all, aside from the depth of combat options, the game gives players remarkable freedom in interacting with the game world. However, perhaps more awesome is the game's offering of a Game Master Mode.
With this mode, players who are also D&D fans may actually create custom maps and adventures that they and their friends can play. For players itching to play D&D, Original Sin 2's Game Master Mode may finally help them do this.