Following the monumental success of Baldur’s Gate 3, the gaming world has been holding its breath to see what Larian Studios would do next. The answer, delivered via a shocking trailer at The Game Awards 2025, is simply titled Divinity. Far from a safe sequel, this new entry appears to be a gritty reboot that pushes the series into darker, more mature territory than ever before.
The trailer was a visceral assault on the senses. It depicted a festive crowd cheering as a man was burned alive inside a Wicker Man-style effigy. But instead of ash, the victim melted into a pool of acidic blood that sprouted horrific, fleshy flowers. This gruesome transformation culminated in the formation of a “Hellstone”—the mysterious monolith that host Geoff Keighley had been teasing for weeks.
Not Original Sin 3, But Something Bigger
Larian has been careful to distinguish this game from its predecessors. It is not titled Divinity: Original Sin 3, but rather just Divinity. This suggests a fresh start or a definitive new chapter. CEO Swen Vincke described it as the studio’s “biggest, most ambitious RPG yet,” claiming it is the game they have always wanted to make since they first went independent.
While gameplay details are scarce, the cinematic’s tone implies a shift. The whimsical humor often associated with the series (remember the talking crabs?) was entirely absent, replaced by body horror and dread. However, fans can likely still expect the deep, systemic interactivity that Larian is famous for. Whether it will stick to the turn-based combat of Original Sin or pivot to a real-time action style remains the biggest unanswered question.
Return to Rivellon
The game marks a return to the world of Rivellon, the setting for all previous Divinity games. But this isn’t the colorful high-fantasy world you might remember. The trailer hints at a realm corrupted by a new, eldritch force. The “Hellstone” monolith and the cult-like behavior of the townsfolk suggest a story focused on religious fanaticism and dark magic.
Speculation is running wild about the timeline. Is this a prequel set during the chaotic early days of the Source? or a distant sequel where the gods have abandoned the world entirely? The taglines “The gods are silent” and “Rivellon bleeds” paint a grim picture of a world on the brink of collapse.
Release Date and Platforms
As of now, Divinity has no official release date or confirmed platforms, though PC and next-gen consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X/S) are a safe bet. Given Larian’s history of extensive Early Access periods, we might see a playable build sooner rather than later, but for the full release, we are likely looking at 2027 or beyond.
Conclusion
Larian Studios has earned the trust of RPG fans worldwide, and Divinity looks like a bold step forward. By shedding the “Original Sin” subtitle and embracing a darker, more serious tone, they are signaling that they aren’t content to just repeat their past successes. Rivellon is back, but it’s changed—and we can’t wait to explore it.
FAQs
Is this Divinity: Original Sin 3?
No. The game is simply titled Divinity. While it is set in the same universe, Larian has positioned it as a distinct new entry, not a direct sequel to the Original Sin sub-series.
When is the release date?
No release date or window has been announced yet.
Is it turn-based or real-time?
This has not been confirmed. Larian is famous for turn-based combat, but the cinematic trailer and the “reboot” nature of the title have led to speculation about a possible shift in gameplay style.
What is the setting?
The game takes place in Rivellon, the same fantasy world as previous Divinity games, though it appears to be a darker, grittier version of it.
Is Baldur’s Gate 3 related to this?
No. Baldur’s Gate 3 is based on Dungeons & Dragons and set in the Forgotten Realms. Divinity is Larian’s own proprietary universe.