Why Larian Must Return to Divinity After BG3 Success March 2026
Should Larian Studios return to the Divinity series after Baldur’s Gate 3? After spending over 400 hours in Baldur’s Gate 3 and countless more in Divinity: Original Sin 2, I’m convinced that Larian’s return to their original IP would unleash unprecedented creative freedom that D&D’s rigid ruleset simply doesn’t allow.
In my experience playing both franchises extensively since their launches, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Larian’s creativity shines brightest when they’re not constrained by external licensing requirements. While Baldur’s Gate 3 deservedly won multiple Game of the Year awards in 2023, the studio’s potential for innovation reaches far beyond what they achieved within D&D’s framework.
| Aspect | Baldur’s Gate 3 (D&D) | Divinity Series (Original IP) |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Freedom | Limited by 5e rules | Unlimited innovation |
| Combat Systems | Traditional action economy | Environmental combos & surfaces |
| Magic Design | Predetermined spell lists | Dynamic elemental interactions |
| Character Building | Class-based restrictions | Flexible skill combinations |
The Creative Constraints I Noticed in Baldur’s Gate 3
Having played every Larian game since Divine Divinity, I immediately noticed how D&D 5e’s ruleset limited certain design choices in BG3. Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely loved my time with the game, but as someone who’s experienced Larian’s unrestricted creativity in their best story-driven CRPGs, the constraints were evident.
The most obvious limitation I encountered was in the magic system. In Divinity: Original Sin 2, I could freeze water to create ice surfaces, electrify puddles for area denial, or combine different spell schools for devastating combos. BG3’s adherence to D&D meant spells worked exactly as written in the Player’s Handbook – functional, but lacking that experimental edge that made DOS2’s combat so dynamic.
During my Wizard spell mechanics experimentation in BG3, I often found myself wishing for Divinity’s flexibility. The action economy, while faithful to tabletop D&D, felt restrictive compared to Divinity’s AP system that allowed for more tactical improvisation. I remember one particular fight in DOS2 where I spent 20 minutes just experimenting with different environmental combinations – that level of systemic interaction simply isn’t possible within D&D’s framework.
Mechanical Restrictions That Held Back Innovation
The class system presented another fascinating constraint. While building my Sorcerer build optimization in BG3, I was locked into predetermined progression paths. Compare this to Divinity where I could freely mix warrior skills with necromancy or combine summoning with rogue abilities. The freedom to create truly unique character builds is something I deeply missed.
Item balance also suffered from D&D adherence. Legendary weapons in BG3 needed to fit within the +1 to +3 enhancement framework, while Divinity could go wild with game-changing equipment that fundamentally altered playstyles. I still remember finding Anathema in DOS2 – a sword that completely transformed my approach to combat. BG3’s items, while cool, never quite reached that level of build-defining impact.
What Divinity’s Creative Freedom Actually Means for Players?
Let me paint a picture from my 300+ hours in Divinity: Original Sin 2. In one memorable encounter, I turned an impossible fight into a tactical masterpiece by combining Rain to create water surfaces, then using Aerotheurge spells to electrify the entire battlefield while my undead character (who healed from poison) stood in toxic clouds I’d created. This wasn’t cheese – it was the game rewarding creative thinking.
This freedom extends beyond combat. Divinity’s quest design could be delightfully unconventional because Larian wasn’t bound by established lore or player expectations. They could kill off major characters, completely upend traditional fantasy tropes, or create situations that would never fly in the Forgotten Realms. The talking animals in DOS2 weren’t just flavor – they were integral to quests and world-building in ways that D&D’s framework wouldn’t support.
Environmental Storytelling Without Boundaries
One aspect I particularly appreciated in Divinity was how the environment itself told stories. Fort Joy in DOS2 remains one of gaming’s best tutorial areas precisely because Larian could design it without worrying about matching established D&D locations. Every puddle, explosive barrel, and climbable surface was placed with intent, creating emergent gameplay moments that felt organic rather than scripted.
The blessing and curse system in DOS2 also showcased design freedom. Rather than simple buffs and debuffs, these mechanics fundamentally changed how abilities worked – blessed fire healed instead of damaged, cursed ice created decay surfaces. This level of systemic interaction requires complete control over game rules, something a licensed property rarely allows.
How BG3’s Success Could Enhance a New Divinity Game?
Now imagine combining BG3’s incredible presentation with Divinity’s unrestricted creativity. The motion capture, voice acting, and cinematic conversations that made BG3 so immersive could elevate Divinity’s already excellent narrative. I’m talking about RPGs with impactful dialogue choices taken to the next level.
Swen Vincke, Larian’s CEO, recently hinted at a 2028-2029 release window for their next major project. With the studio’s expansion including a new storytelling department, they’re clearly preparing for something ambitious. Based on my experience with both franchises, a Divinity game with BG3’s production values would be revolutionary.
The technical improvements alone would be transformative. BG3’s seamless multiplayer implementation could make cooperative RPG experiences in Divinity even better. Imagine the chaos of DOS2’s combat with BG3’s smooth online functionality – it would be the ultimate co-op RPG experience.
Community Features and Mod Support
One area where returning to Divinity would excel is mod support. Without Wizards of the Coast’s oversight, Larian could provide deeper modding tools. The DOS2 modding scene created incredible content, but imagine what they could achieve with BG3’s technology and unrestricted creative freedom. We could see total conversions, new campaigns, and gameplay overhauls that simply aren’t possible with a licensed property.
Why 2026 Is the Perfect Time for Divinity’s Return?
The CRPG renaissance that BG3 helped spark has created a hungry audience for challenging RPGs that respect player intelligence. Players are ready for complexity, for systems that interact in unexpected ways, for games that trust them to figure things out. This is exactly what Divinity excels at.
Moreover, the gaming landscape in March 2026 has evolved significantly since DOS2’s 2017 release. New hardware capabilities, particularly on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, could support even more complex environmental interactions. Ray-traced reflections on water surfaces that you can then freeze or electrify? The possibilities are endless.
From a business perspective, Larian owns Divinity outright. No licensing fees, no creative approvals needed, no restrictions on DLC or expansion content. They could iterate quickly, experiment boldly, and respond to community feedback without navigating corporate bureaucracy. After seeing how they supported DOS2 with free updates and the massive Definitive Edition, I’m excited about what they could do with complete autonomy.
The Future of Tactical RPG Innovation
Looking at the current state of tactical RPG combat systems, there’s clear room for innovation. While other studios chase trends, Larian could push the genre forward by building on Divinity’s foundation. The surface interaction system alone could be expanded into something truly revolutionary with modern technology.
I envision a Divinity successor that takes everything we loved about DOS2 – the creative problem-solving, the systemic interactions, the memorable characters – and amplifies it with BG3’s presentation quality. Add in lessons learned from both games about pacing, difficulty curves, and player onboarding, and you have a recipe for something special.
The studio’s recent expansion and focus on building a dedicated storytelling department suggests they’re thinking bigger than ever. With two ambitious RPG projects reportedly in development, at least one returning to original IP seems likely. Based on my hundreds of hours across both franchises, I genuinely believe Divinity offers the better canvas for Larian’s particular brand of innovation.
For completionist gamers looking for the ultimate challenge, a new Divinity game could easily join the ranks of hardest RPGs to 100% complete, especially if Larian incorporates the same level of content depth and hidden mechanics that made DOS2 so replayable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Larian Studios make Divinity: Original Sin 3?
While Larian hasn’t officially confirmed DOS3, Swen Vincke has stated they’re working on two ambitious RPG projects targeting a 2028-2029 release. Given their ownership of the Divinity IP and recent statements about moving away from D&D content, a return to Divinity seems increasingly likely.
What made Divinity: Original Sin 2 special compared to Baldur’s Gate 3?
DOS2’s complete creative freedom allowed for innovative mechanics like surface interactions, environmental combos, and unique character origin stories. While BG3 excelled in presentation and narrative, DOS2’s systemic complexity and experimental gameplay created more emergent moments.
Could Larian make both Baldur’s Gate 4 and Divinity 3?
Larian has definitively stated they’re moving on from Baldur’s Gate, with Wizards of the Coast taking the franchise to other developers. This actually frees Larian to focus entirely on their own IPs where they have complete creative control.
What improvements from BG3 would benefit a new Divinity game?
BG3’s motion capture technology, full voice acting, cinematic dialogue system, and seamless multiplayer implementation would tremendously enhance Divinity’s already strong foundation. The production value increase would make the creative gameplay even more immersive.
Is the Divinity series connected to Baldur’s Gate?
No, they’re completely separate franchises. Baldur’s Gate uses D&D rules in the Forgotten Realms setting, while Divinity is Larian’s original IP set in the world of Rivellon with its own lore, magic system, and gameplay mechanics.
Conclusion: The Creative Renaissance We Need
After experiencing both franchises extensively, I’m convinced that Larian returning to Divinity represents the best path forward for innovative CRPG design. The combination of complete creative freedom, ownership of the IP, and lessons learned from BG3’s massive success creates perfect conditions for something truly groundbreaking.
While Baldur’s Gate 3 proved Larian could work magic within constraints, imagine what they could achieve without any limitations at all. A Divinity game with BG3’s production values wouldn’t just be a great RPG – it would push the entire genre forward in ways that licensed properties simply can’t. As we wait for official announcements about Larian’s next projects, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a return to Rivellon. The creative freedom of Divinity combined with the technical mastery shown in BG3 could deliver the most innovative CRPG we’ve ever seen.