Adventure Posts on Crowch

So, we've talked about my plans and expectations — now it’s time to share what I’ve actually managed to play through. Buckle up, because we’re diving into the epic saga of my gaming milestones this year.

🧙‍♂️ The Chosen One — My Path to Divinity

I began this year with something I had long avoided: the Divinity: Original Sin duology. Despite its glowing reputation, I always felt these games weren't my thing. The gameplay videos, the UI — nothing pulled me in. But after 300 hours in Baldur’s Gate 3, crafted by the same developers, Larian Studios, I changed my mind.

BG3 impressed me with its character depth, flexible builds, and cinematic combat. Though the story left some gaps (especially after I found out some parts were cut), the voice acting and overall immersion were unforgettable. That trust in Larian led me straight to Divinity: Original Sin.

🔥 Divinity: Original Sin — 70 Hours of Tactical Chaos

I played the first game in co-op, using a mage/warrior combo, while my friend ran a mage/archer. Surprisingly, melee attacks felt more effective than elemental magic for most of the game, especially against enemies who could one-shot you from a distance. The world is filled with class variety, gear, and a clever skillbook system where spells are learned by finding or buying books. However, the narrative structure threw me off at first. You begin as a simple detective and end up... saving the world. A wild leap in career trajectory.

Quests don't hold your hand, which is refreshing. There are no generic fetch quests — instead, you're solving mysteries, unlocking secret rooms behind paintings, or puzzling over button sequences to open hidden doors. Sometimes, failing to protect a key NPC in a fight can permanently block quest progression. Brutal but immersive. One of the quirkiest quests involved passing a necromancy exam given by a talking skeleton — I failed due to a mix of missing books and logic that didn’t align with the undead examiner’s. Another favorite? A lonely troll who missed his storyteller friend, and we had to convince a barmaid to visit him.

Boss fights truly shine. Each encounter has unique mechanics, like an ice elemental that changes its attack element every few turns, requiring serious adaptation from the party. Despite its aging visuals and a few bugs — including random unequipped gear mid-battle or inaccurate health bars — the game’s systems are deep and rewarding. A solid 4.5/5.

🧝‍♂️ Divinity: Original Sin II — A Worthy Sequel (74 Hours In)

Fresh off the first game, we jumped into part two with new builds: I kept my mage, but the warrior now used summoning and metamorph skills. Summons adapt their element based on the ground — a cool upgrade. Movement was faster, and the graphics were finally eye-pleasing.

Story-wise, you’re once again tasked with ascending to godhood, racing against other Chosen Ones backed by different deities. All choices lead to only one divine victor — though positive party relations let your allies remain in your retinue. Quests retained the complexity, but were more manageable. Gone were the insane button puzzles. The writing retained Larian’s trademark humor — like choosing sides between a dog and a cat who both believed their owner loved them more. Spoiler: saying “equally” wasn’t an option.

However, the sheer volume of quests got chaotic. I often resolved a quest without realizing it, only to get the reward hours later from a random NPC. This narrative jumble made it hard to follow some plotlines. Gameplay-wise, the core remained, but now featured “memory slots” limiting how many skills you could equip. More powerful ones used 2–3 slots. A new resource, Source Points, enabled stronger abilities and was replenished via special teachers or by absorbing it from enemies — and vice versa. A major change was the armor system: characters now have physical and magical armor that blocks status effects. If you try to stun someone with magic while they still have magical armor — nothing happens. Only when it’s gone do debuffs apply. Smart, but adds another tactical layer. Sadly, the dialogue system got simplified. Gone were the fun rock-paper-scissors showdowns from part one. Now, it’s based on persuasion stats — like Fallout 4. Disappointing.

The AI improved, targeting active threats instead of stunned allies, and flanking lone characters. Still, crafting remained underwhelming — too weak by mid-game, when better loot drops naturally. And yes, the bugs returned. Missing gear mid-battle? Check. Server issues that delayed my co-op sessions for 20 minutes at a time? Also check. Magically, it fixed itself 30 hours later. Classic.

🌟 Final Verdict

Both games delivered complex, rewarding RPG experiences. I loved the challenging quests, unique fights, and the co-op storytelling — even with bugs and a few mechanical missteps.

Rating: 4.5/5 for both titles.
Absolutely worth playing. And yes, I’m counting the days until Larian announces Divinity III.

🎯 What to Expect from This Blog

Gaming for me isn't just a hobby — it's a rhythm, a ritual, a source of joy. Every year I play around 12–15 new titles while returning to my all-time favorites. Some games are for the challenge, some for the story, and some — like Civilization VI — for those endless nights with friends in co-op mode. In this post, I’ll focus on the games I’m most hyped about in 2025. In future entries, I’ll share reviews of what I’ve actually played.

🏛️ Sid Meier’s Civilization VII

The legacy continues — will VII live up to its roots? My journey with Civilization started on the original PlayStation. At the time, I barely understood the mechanics, but commanding armies and watching cities grow was enough to hook me. Now, with over 500 hours in Civ VI, this franchise remains close to my heart. Civilization VII is rumored to blend elements of Civ VI with Humankind — a fusion that has potential to redefine the genre.

🐉 Monster Hunter Wilds

Gear up for the hunt — again. I fell in love with the series after World. Hundreds of hours, countless builds, and endless hunts later, it’s still one of my favorite co-op experiences. I’m currently finishing Rise, and Wilds is next in line. Its expansive ecosystems, intricate combat, and vast gear customization promise a truly immersive monster-hunting adventure.

✨ Split Fiction

From the creators of It Takes Two — and I can’t wait. If you’ve played A Way Out or It Takes Two, you know Hazelight Studios delivers one-of-a-kind co-op storytelling. Split Fiction dives into imaginative worlds created by the characters themselves. It’s interactive, collaborative, and emotionally rich. I’m counting down the days to play this one with a close friend.

🦴 Lies of P: DLC

Back to the haunting beauty of Krat. The original Lies of P was a brilliant reimagining of the Pinocchio tale with Soulslike elements. I earned the platinum and still want more. The DLC promises new horrors, deeper lore, and more brutal combat. If you missed the original — now’s your chance.

🚀 Directive 8020

Next stop: horror in space. The Dark Pictures Anthology has always fascinated me, especially Little Hope. Directive 8020 brings that tension into space, where isolation and mystery thrive. I’m expecting tough choices, terrifying consequences, and plenty of replay value.

🧟 Dying Light: The Beast

Parkour, panic, and post-apocalypse. Kyle Crane returns in what may be one of the most anticipated zombie sequels in years. I loved the first Dying Light for its parkour and gritty survival atmosphere. While the plot wasn’t its strongest suit, the thrill of nighttime chases more than made up for it. Curious to see where they take Crane after the dramatic ending of The Following.

🌙 Elden Ring: Nightreign

Miyazaki does it again. An unexpected gift — a new Souls experience with battle royale twists? Sign me up. I’m eager to see how Nightreign balances the traditional FromSoftware difficulty with new multiplayer elements. Bonus: we’ll meet familiar bosses in new forms.

🛡️ Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era

Return to strategy’s golden age. I spent my childhood playing HoMM III. The newer entries never quite hit the same notes for me. So when I heard about Olden Era going back to its roots — classic mechanics, stunning 2D visuals, and turn-based mastery — I was thrilled.

🎮 Wrapping Up

2025 promises a phenomenal lineup. Whether you’re into deep strategy, co-op narratives, survival horror, or massive MMOs — there’s something for everyone. My goal is to savor every experience and share my thoughts along the way. Let’s see where this year takes us!