Thanks to Larian Studios' Divinity: Original Sin, RPG fans can experience a refreshing take on expansive RPG stories. Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin 2 offer players vast narrative freedom. In fact, almost every action and choice can affect the way the main story, side quests, and personal storylines play out. Original Sin 2 shows this narrative prowess by offering players two options: playing a pre-made character or making their own.
However, while a custom character gives players a sense of "ownership" in the story, a pre-made character (formally called Origins) opens a ton of unique options as well. Should players stick to an Origin with guaranteed narrative options? Or should they create their own character to forge their own story?
Updated by Juliet Childers on November 16th, 2020: Though many fans are deep in the throes of Baldur's Gate 3 early access, Divinity: Original Sin 2 still captivates veterans and new players alike. Its challenging combat system and the lively world keep everyone coming back for more. But the unique stories also act as a big draw point in the sense that players can experience premade narratives or establish their own. Every choice leads to a different ending, so each playthrough nets players a different experience. But the option of using a premade character or creating a unique one open up or shut off possibilities.
14 Go Premade: Keep The Cast Tight
Players who choose not to make their own character can instead choose an Origin out of a cast of six. Each of these characters has a unique storyline, all of which the player can resolve in one or more playthroughs. After all, there are six Origins but only room for four in a party.
However, what's interesting is that the stories of these characters will most likely intersect with one another. As such, it's very likely for the player to complete the stories of the character they control and all of their companions' while playing through the perspective of just one Origin.
13 Play Your Own: Welcome To Rivellon
Many people compare Original Sin 2 to Dungeons & Dragons due to its vast freedom of choice. Players see this unfold when they make their own characters in the story. In fact, the game immediately advises players that making their own character will offer a new set of dialogue options unique to them.
Players who want to feel like they're an actual part of Rivellon might want to make their own character. This option offers a fresh take on Rivellon's story in Original Sin 2, especially when interacting with the main cast.
12 Go Premade: Experience It All Firsthand
Players exposed to enough RPGs know that some games have choices that affect the ending. Original Sin 2 expands on this concept by introducing specific choices that not only alter the main story but the personal storylines of Origins. In Act 1's Fort Joy alone, some characters have conflicting agendas regarding some NPCs, forcing players to make hard choices early on.
Moreover, some dialogue options are unique to certain characters. As such, these characters ask players if they can deal with these situations by themselves or if players want to intervene. Players who want to be nosy but still keep their companions' trust have a handy option– play that very character, so they get to see the interactions themselves. This idea also incentivizes multiple playthroughs!
11 Play Your Own: The Premise Won't Change
The adventure premise of Original Sin 2 is simple enough: the player, who is a Sourcerer, ends up as a prisoner in Fort Joy. They didn't commit a crime, though. All of the main characters are supposed to stay in Fort Joy as they're Sourcerers, capable of altering reality itself with the Source. Unfortunately, their powers also attract the Voidwoken which, if in the wrong place, may end up killing thousands of people.
Like most CRPGs, Original Sin 2 has an accessible prologue that fits any character's premise– premade or otherwise. Not much changes in that regard. In fact, for players short on time, they might want to make their Original Sin 2 as unique as possible– which actually makes a custom character ideal for their playthrough.
10 Go Premade: Open New Options
Gameplay-wise, Origins in Original Sin 2 have unique appearances, Tags, and sometimes event a Talent or two that can add a whole host of narrative and gameplay options. Gameplay-wise, certain Tags prompt special reactions and dialogue options between characters and NPCs.
These special options can make small alterations to interactions along with leaving huge implications for gameplay. Players who use specific characters to interact with certain NPCs can introduce new options to the game. If the Red Prince talks to a certain "noble" NPC in Fort Joy, the entire party can avoid combat– whereas other characters might easily push said NPC to start a fight.
9 Play Your Own: Learn Their Stories
Unlike Origins, players that make their own characters get to choose their own Tags and Talents. When combined, these traits can form a character with a unique outlook and prompt interesting responses from other NPCs. Elves have the ability to absorb memories whenever they eat the flesh of other creatures. Meanwhile, a Soldier can receive perks and learn insights related to battle.
Some argue that it's from the eyes of an unknown that the stories of the Origins can shine. After all, these Origin characters have fully-voiced dialogue and respond differently when speaking to a new character. Players who use the Elf Sebille won't be able to get the Red Prince's opinion of her. However, a custom character may be able to pry this information, opening up interesting points of view.
8 Go Premade: Access Exclusive Abilities
Both Origins and custom characters begin with a set of Tags, Talents, and Skills. However, players can only modify Skills at the start of the game as these largely affect the preset class and vice versa. As such, all characters– Origin and otherwise– begin with Talents unique to their race, one racial special ability, and one exclusive ability per Origin and as a custom character.
With this in mind, players who want to focus more on the gameplay aspect of Original Sin 2 should probably just stick to an Origin. Custom characters only learn Dome of Protection at the beginning of the game. Granted, this is an extremely useful skill in all fights, but Origin characters have abilities unique to their particular backgrounds. For instance, Ifan Ben-Mezd can summon a Soul Wolf to fight as a companion.
7 Play Your Own: Personalize The Experience
It's true that in terms of hard stats, there's not much difference to be made between Origin and custom characters. This factor is true, at least in character creation. However, players will have to face a dilemma some hardcore roleplayers get when they meet pre-made characters. They have to ask this question: Should they stick to the Origin's default class, or should they play around with their Skills and Talents?
Players who face this dilemma should probably play a custom character first. With this method, players can encounter Origin characters they're interested in and try out their default class or experiment with their class options. Moreover, custom characters allow players to completely personalize their experience, as they're free to explore the game's progression options.
6 Go Premade: Start Quick
Completionists who want to get the most out of Original Sin 2 will most likely not want to encounter too many options when tinkering with their characters. Thanks to Origins, players who don't want a complicated playthrough can just pick an Origin and their ideal class. That way, completionists can get the "barebones" experience with their chosen Origins, at least in terms of their stories. They play as to how their Origin characters were created.
Moreover, this allows players to reduce the number of multiple choices and strategic options in the game. After all, Original Sin 2 already offers variety in terms of dialogue, and even gameplay to come up with different endings.
5 Play Your Own: Get An Intimate Experience
Contrary to completionists, players who just want to savor the moment will likely want to experiment with the hit RPG title. As such, players can fiddle with Skills and Talents, or even go for that NPC kill.
Of course, this caveat might mean players will likely start from scratch after a few "unsavory" decisions, especially during Fort Joy. Regardless, it's thrilling to think that Original Sin 2 has this much variety in the first place. For players who want to have "that perfect beginning" to an otherwise complicated web of choices, a custom character is a great choice.
4 Go Premade: Lohse Vs. The Doctor
One thing that Larian Studios excels at is writing unique and engaging original narratives. Though most of the premade characters in the game have distinct backgrounds, Lohse's journey captivated many fans. She struggles with "passengers" or spirits that inhabit her. But one terrible archdemon by the name of Adramahlihk haunts her most.
By playing as Lohse, the character more directly experiences her trauma surrounding her struggle for control. The player may have to do things they don't want to do like try to kill Saheila for example. This makes taking down The Doctor in Arx all the more satisfying when the time finally comes.
3 Play Your Own: Become Divine
Depending on the player's choices, the race for the Well beneath Lucian's tomb can be friendly or terrifying. Other characters may jockey for position, but the player can ultimately become Divine if they so choose it. This opens up an entirely unique ending with the player character in complete control.
They can choose to make the ultimate sacrifice or even give everyone in Rivellon the power of Source. The easiest philosophical option (though perhaps the most difficult one in terms of combat) is to be Divine themselves. This frees up other premade characters such as the Red Prince and Sebille to inhabit other destinies.
2 Go Premade: Get With (And Rescue) Sadha
Speaking of the Red Prince, this premade character is insanely fun from a role-playing perspective. He's a spoiled brat of a noble who got exiled for banging a demon and assumes everyone is a servant. Players can choose to embody the character's origins to the end or put him on a journey of growth instead. But the player can also interact more intimately with Sadha.
This not only means getting busy in a carriage to make dragon babies but something more important. The Red Prince can free Sadha from the God King's clutches whilst in the Dream World. That's romance....right?
1 Play Your Own: Kill With Abandon And Without Remorse
One of the most freeing things about playing a player-created character is the freedom it brings. Instead of going on a journey of growth, why not just murder everyone instead? It nets the player more experience points and can be very entertaining from a role-playing perspective.
Trying to do this with a premade character might prove slightly more difficult than with a created one. After all, characters like Beast would not kill all willy-nilly. But a corrupt Lone Wolf reject who needs a nice, shiny, new sword might.