Divinity: Original Sin OR Banner Saga?

I'm really interested in both of these games but I can't really decide on which one to get so I was wondering what peoples thoughts on them were. Have you played Divinity? Did you like it? Why? Have you played Banner Saga? Did you like it? Why? Have you played both? What one did you like better?

I know these games are different so don't bother trying to compare them. Instead just state what game you personally like and why.

I haven't played Banner Saga but I did play Divinity and I have to say I enjoy it .The reason that I enjoy because I just had fun with it.

@jonny_anonymous: Get both, fuck every other game from this year, those are the only two you need.

I'd say Banner Saga, Divinity's sure fun for the first half but (I feel) it takes a nosedive afterwards.

I have a review up for Banner Saga if you want my long thoughts.

I tried not to compare them but just couldn't avoid it completely. They are super different, as you mentioned.

Banner Saga has a really elegant combat system and uses tile based movement very similar to the most recent Xcom. It's a very linear game with a few forks for different characters - there is some decision making but the way it works wasn't really for me. It is extremely beautiful though. Roughly a 4-6 hour experience as I recall. This is a pretty good game I think but it leaves a lot to be desired and to be honest I think Banner Saga: Factions (which is multiplayer only) has more interesting class combinations. I would say that for the right price any and everybody with interest in turn based combat should play it, but it's not really a "Wow" game like...

...Divinity, which is a much, much larger and more complex game. The coolest things about Divinity 1) you have 2 characters who partake in the Mass Effect-style dialogue trees, not one. You customize and build up both over the course of the 60~ hour game. 2) magic is really "logic based", in that wet enemies get electrified more easily, grease can be lit on fire, etc, and it also plays a larger than usual role in puzzle and quest solving. 3) Physics. You can pick up and move objects around a lot to drop them on enemies or build barricades to slow them down, etc.
In the end I have to say I don't really love either game, but Divinity is a much bigger and interesting experience whereas Banner Saga is short and punchy.

So...

Play both.

Preferably, both. Banner Saga is quite easy, despite what seemingly random occurrence and the occasional couple days sans-food tell you. Very linear, super short, but a pretty cool storyline and the art is simply amazing. It sounds fantastic as well. Divinity is much, much longer (40-70 hours) and is harder in the beginning but eases off considerably. Solutions to problems in Divinity are some of the only in games right now that constitute actual choices in combat and solving problems, sadly without consequences that Banner Saga sometimes (annoyingly) has.

In the end I liked Divinity more mostly because it was like Ultima 7 if the combat wasn't disgustingly bad.

Banner saga is easier to get into and better to play in small chunks while Divinity is more complex and offers more depth but requires more time to really get into.

Which would you prefer right now!?!?!?

There is a multiplayer version of Banner Saga up on Steam for free if you want to check it out a little before you decide. Not sure how similar it is to the main game as I have not played it but it seems like a cool option.

@bisonhero: @giantstalker: @siroptimusprime: @azrailx: Thanks for your thoughts guys. It would seem the majority say just get both so that's likely what I'll do.

@geraltitude: Sure, you got a link to the review?

@shadowswordmaster: How much did you get to play of it?

@jonny_anonymous: review is here.

Alex has one for Banner Saga too and Patrick just posted one for Divinity, may be worth reading those too. @th3irdeye has the best idea here though - try Banner Saga: Factions. Free, small download. It's multiplayer only but gives you an idea of how the game works combat wise and how it looks too. Very different from the main game in the sense that there's no story but not a bad demo.

Quick Looks of both on the site too I think depending how far you want to take your research.

Enjoy!

@geraltitude: Yeah I'll check all this out. Thanks!

Looking at the combat alone, I don't like that it's locked to a grid in Banner Saga. Divinity's battles feels more free-form, especially when you factor in things you can do with objects in the environment and elemental effects.

Can't speak to the difference in story though. Banner Saga seems like low and dark fantasy, which I usually prefer. Divinity is pretty light-hearted.

Divinity all the fucking way.

Don't even think about it. In fact, I didn't even read your post.

Just buy Divinity, it's one of the best RPGs.. well, ever? I certainly like it a whole bunch, even after 40+ hours.

@jonny_anonymous: About five hours now.

The Banner Saga is okay. What bummed me out was realizing there isn't actually a ton of variety or depth to the combat, though a lot of the decision making stuff and the generally bleak tone make up for it in some ways (right up to the terrible final encounter and cliffhanger ending).

Divinity, on the other hand, has some really good RPG combat, but I don't think the story or characters are compelling on their own. It's also a bajilliondy hours long if that makes a difference to you.