I’m finally playing Divinity: Original Sin 2 on my gaming handheld — I didn’t realize how much this would fill a Baldur’s Gate 3 void and improve the co-op experience

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Over the holidays, my husband and I got around to playing Divinity: Original Sin 2, the popular role-playing game from Larian Studios that came out in 2017 – well before they made Baldur’s Gate 3.

I’ve been having a great time playing with friends on my Xbox Ally X, and I really think others should give this handheld co-op experience a try.

As a researcher tracking game deals, I recently found Divinity: Original Sin 2 available for $20.49 as a GOG code from Loaded. That’s a significant discount – about 66% off its current Steam price, making it a really good deal.

Oh, and the Xbox Ally X is finally back in stock at Best Buy, if you want to grab it.

Playing DOS2 on a gaming handheld has completely changed the co-op experience

Given that both Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3 are choice-driven RPGs made by the same studio, I figured they’d have some overlapping gameplay and resources. However, I was surprised by just how much the stories and characters felt alike.

Both games begin with you traveling by ship and washing ashore on a beach. You’ll quickly meet interesting characters who need your help with a rather unpleasant medical issue. Like Baldur’s Gate 3, you can choose to play alone or with friends.

Every character can be leveled up, with a class and build that best fits your preferred playstyle.

Baldur’s Gate 3 builds upon ideas first explored in Divinity: Original Sin 2, so you’ll notice similarities. While BG3 feels more polished and user-friendly, DOS2 remains a fun and worthwhile experience, even today in 2026.

Playing DOS2 has honestly satisfied my need for more BG3 content.

One major difference between the games is that Divinity: Original Sin 2 doesn’t have motion capture cutscenes. Also, it looks like you’re limited to a party of four characters, and there’s no camp where you can switch between origin characters you’ve set aside.

The unique gameplay in DOS2 actually makes it more engaging, forcing me to think through challenges in new ways. Just like with BG3, I’m already planning my next playthrough, considering different party members and how I can approach things differently.

I’ve been really enjoying Divinity: Original Sin 2, and it’s actually helped tide me over while I wait for more Baldur’s Gate 3 content. Even though the two games are very different in terms of story, gameplay, and magic, it’s been a great experience. It’s also made me even more enthusiastic about Larian’s next game and feel more ready for it.

It runs beautifully on handhelds, too

Playing DOS2 in the same room is more socially interactive and fun.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 runs incredibly well on the Xbox Series X, with no adjustments needed. I only had one small problem: the on-screen keyboard was a bit finicky when I first started the game and tried to enter my character’s name. After that, though, the game ran perfectly.

Just so you know, Divinity: Original Sin 2 was officially confirmed to work great with the Steam Deck in June 2022, meaning it should run smoothly on most similar handheld gaming devices.

I was surprised by how much better it felt playing DOS2 on my Xbox Ally X while my husband played on the TV in the same room, compared to when we played BG3 separately, each with headsets.

We enjoyed playing Baldur’s Gate 3, but we both agree that playing Divinity: Original Sin 2 together in the same room is a more engaging and enjoyable social experience.

As a researcher observing this interaction, I’ve noticed something really interesting. When we’re both on the couch, it’s so much easier to collaborate on games. I can quickly glance at my friend’s screen and offer suggestions, or show him what’s happening in my game. This shared physical space allows us to make decisions together organically. It feels like we’re actually *playing* together, instead of just two people connected by voice chat, feeling isolated even while technically sharing an experience.

If you enjoyed Baldur’s Gate 3 and want another deep RPG experience, or if you’re looking for a game to play with a friend, I recommend Divinity: Original Sin 2. It’s much more fun and engaging to play with someone in the same room, ideally using a handheld gaming PC or so you can easily see each other’s screens.

Thinking about playing Divinity: Original Sin 2? Or maybe you’ve already played it and are curious how it stacks up against Baldur’s Gate 3? If you’ve tried either game on a handheld PC, we’d love to hear about your experience – share your thoughts in the comments below!

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2026-01-11 17:10