Divinity II Ego Draconis is a fantasy action RPG that gives players a unique blend of classic role-playing mechanics and dynamic combat set in the rich world of Rivellon. Released originally in 2009, it offered something unusual even for its time an opportunity to not only play as a human Dragon Slayer, but also eventually transform into a dragon. This transformation added vertical exploration, aerial battles, and a whole new layer of strategy. As players journey through the expansive world, they’ll encounter a mix of medieval themes, magical creatures, epic quests, and challenging moral decisions that shape both story and gameplay. Despite being overshadowed by later entries in the Divinity series, Ego Draconis holds its own as a daring and ambitious RPG experience worth revisiting.
Story and Setting
The story begins in a time when Dragon Slayers are trained to hunt down the last remnants of the dragon race. You take on the role of a young recruit undergoing the final rites to become a full-fledged Dragon Slayer. However, shortly after the initiation, things take a dramatic turn. You inherit the memories of a slain dragon and slowly become what you once swore to destroy a Dragon Knight. This transformation forms the heart of the game’s narrative, setting up a tale of identity, power, betrayal, and redemption.
The World of Rivellon
The game is set in Rivellon, a vibrant and magical world filled with distinct regions, ancient ruins, cursed forests, and bustling towns. Each area is densely packed with quests, hidden secrets, and lore that add depth to the environment. Players will encounter creatures like imps, goblins, trolls, necromancers, and powerful mages, all with their own motives and affiliations. The tone shifts between dark and whimsical, offering a rich atmosphere that keeps exploration exciting.
Gameplay Mechanics
Divinity II Ego Draconis combines real-time combat, dialogue choices, exploration, and character development. The game provides a third-person perspective, with smooth controls and a variety of abilities that let players tailor their playstyle.
Character Progression
Players can level up their character by gaining experience points through quests and combat. Leveling up grants attribute points to distribute among stats like Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Vitality. Players also earn skill points, which can be invested in one of several combat and utility trees
- WarriorFocused on melee combat and high durability.
- RangerEmphasizes ranged attacks and evasion.
- MageOffers powerful offensive and supportive spells.
- PriestHealing, buffs, and spiritual defense.
- Dragon KnightUnlocks when the player becomes a dragon, offering unique skills and upgrades.
This flexible system allows hybrid builds, so you aren’t confined to a strict class. Want to cast fireballs while swinging a two-handed sword? You can do that. The freedom to experiment is one of the game’s strong suits.
Dragon Form
The biggest gameplay twist comes when you unlock the ability to transform into a dragon. As a dragon, you can fly freely across large sections of the map, engage in aerial combat, and avoid ground-based hazards. Dragon form comes with its own health pool, abilities, and equipment. You can’t enter buildings or interact with NPCs while in this form, so it becomes a strategic tool rather than a constant state.
Combat System
Combat in Ego Draconis is real-time and fast-paced. You can use melee weapons, ranged weapons, and a wide variety of magical spells. Positioning, timing, and skill usage matter, especially on higher difficulty levels. Enemies have resistances, vulnerabilities, and often come in groups with mixed tactics. The AI is competent enough to pose a challenge, encouraging you to learn enemy patterns and adapt.
Boss Battles
Throughout your adventure, you’ll face powerful bosses with unique mechanics. Some require clever use of terrain or timing, while others test your build efficiency and preparation. These battles often cap off major questlines, adding weight and meaning to your journey.
Quests and Dialogue
One of the highlights of Divinity II is its quest design. Many quests have multiple solutions and moral implications. Do you help a desperate alchemist steal a formula to save his wife, or do you turn him in for breaking the law? Choices like these affect how NPCs perceive you and can even impact later story events.
Mindreading Mechanic
A unique feature is the mindreading system. At any point during dialogue, you can choose to read someone’s mind at the cost of experience points. This allows you to uncover secrets, unlock new dialogue options, or get access to hidden quests and loot. While it seems costly at first, clever use of mindreading can open up shortcuts and narrative branches that would otherwise remain hidden.
Visuals and Audio
While the graphics were considered decent at the time of release, they haven’t aged particularly well by modern standards. However, the art direction, environmental design, and imaginative creature designs still manage to impress. The sound design is atmospheric, with a solid soundtrack that complements the game’s emotional and thematic tone. Voice acting ranges from serious to slightly campy, but it adds charm to the overall experience.
Bugs and Reception
Upon its initial release, Divinity II Ego Draconis received mixed reviews due to bugs, balance issues, and technical limitations. However, many of these problems were addressed in the later expansion and re-release, titled The Dragon Knight Saga. This version includes an improved version of the base game and an additional campaign called Flames of Vengeance, which offers a more refined and polished experience.
Flames of Vengeance
This follow-up picks up right after the cliffhanger ending of the original and delivers a more tightly constructed narrative. It also refines combat, adds new areas to explore, and brings a greater sense of closure to the story. Most players agree that playing The Dragon Knight Saga is the best way to experience Divinity II in its full form.
Legacy and Influence
While Divinity II Ego Draconis didn’t reach the mainstream popularity of Larian Studios’ later titles like Divinity Original Sin 2, it laid the groundwork for the studio’s storytelling, world-building, and gameplay philosophy. The ambition and creativity on display here helped cement Larian’s reputation as a developer willing to take risks and innovate within the RPG genre.
Why It’s Worth Playing Today
- It offers a unique dragon transformation mechanic not seen in many RPGs.
- The nonlinear quests and mindreading system make dialogue meaningful.
- Flexible skill builds allow for deep customization.
- Expansive world filled with secrets, humor, and dark fantasy lore.
- It gives insight into the evolution of one of the top RPG studios today.
Divinity II Ego Draconis is a flawed but fascinating RPG that rewards patience and curiosity. Its daring design choices, like transforming into a dragon and the use of mindreading, still feel fresh and original. Although not as polished as more modern titles, it offers a rich, choice-driven experience that stands the test of time. For fans of immersive fantasy worlds and deep role-playing systems, it’s a journey well worth taking especially in its definitive edition, The Dragon Knight Saga.