Baldur's Gate 3 vs Divinity: Original Sin 2 — Which Larian RPG Is Better?

Larian Studios made two of the best CRPGs ever. Baldur's Gate 3 uses D&D 5th Edition rules and won Game of the Year 2023. Divinity: Original Sin 2 uses Larian's own system and is widely considered one of the greatest RPGs ever made. Both are 100+ hour games with deep combat, excellent companions, and meaningful choices. Here's how they actually differ.

Combat systems

Divinity: Original Sin 2 has the deeper systemic combat. Environmental interactions are everything — oil surfaces catch fire, fire creates smoke, rain creates puddles you can electrify, ice freezes water surfaces. Combat is a puzzle where terrain manipulation is as important as character builds. Armor systems (physical and magical armor) gate crowd control effects.

Baldur's Gate 3 uses D&D 5e rules — attack rolls, saving throws, advantage/disadvantage, spell slots. Combat is more familiar if you know tabletop D&D. Less environmental interaction than DOS2 but more build diversity through multiclassing, feats, and D&D's class system.

The difference: DOS2 combat is more systemic and emergent — surprising interactions happen naturally. BG3 combat is more character-build-focused — the variety comes from class combinations rather than surface interactions.

Companions

BG3 has arguably the best companion writing in RPG history. Shadowheart, Astarion, Karlach, Lae'zel, Gale, Wyll — each has a fully realized personal arc with genuine character development. Romance options are extensive and meaningful. The bg3 romance post covers this specifically.

DOS2 has excellent companions too — Fane, Sebille, Lohse, Red Prince, Ifan, Beast. Fane's perspective as an undead is particularly unique. But DOS2's companions have less voice acting and fewer cinematic moments than BG3's.

The difference: BG3 companions are more deeply voiced and cinematically presented. DOS2 companions are more mechanically distinct (each has a unique Source ability).

Story and freedom

DOS2 gives you more freedom. You can kill virtually any NPC. The game accommodates it. Multiple acts with radically different environments. The story is original fantasy with no existing franchise expectations.

BG3 is built on D&D's Forgotten Realms. The setting comes with decades of lore. The story has more cinematic set pieces, more voiced dialogue, and more spectacle. Freedom is high but slightly more guided than DOS2.

The difference: DOS2 is the "purer" sandbox RPG where the systems generate stories. BG3 is the more narrative-driven experience where authored moments complement the sandbox.

Multiplayer

Both support 2-4 player co-op through the entire campaign. This is rare and valuable.

DOS2 co-op is slightly better for competitive play — players can make opposing decisions and even fight each other in the campaign's PvP arena.

BG3 co-op is better for cooperative roleplay — shared story moments with cinematics feel more collaborative.

Which to play first

Play Baldur's Gate 3 first if: You want the more polished, modern experience. You value cinematics and voice acting. You know D&D rules. You want the best companion writing.

Play Divinity: Original Sin 2 first if: You want the deeper combat system. You prefer systemic emergent gameplay. You want more freedom to break the game. You plan to play both and want to experience the evolution of Larian's design.

The honest answer: BG3 is more accessible, more polished, and more immediately impressive. DOS2 has deeper systems and arguably more replay value. Both are essential RPGs.

What we make at Choost

Granny's Gambit has tactical decision-making in deckbuilder format — much smaller scope than either Larian game but shared "every decision matters" philosophy.

For more RPG content, the bg3 tips, games like Dragon Age, and best narrative games posts have more.

The shortest version

BG3: Better companions, better cinematics, D&D rules, more polished. Play first if you want the modern benchmark.

DOS2: Deeper combat, more environmental interaction, more systemic freedom, more replayability. Play first if you want the more innovative design.

Both are top-10-all-time RPGs. You'll play both eventually.