Divinity II: Ego Draconis is an interesting yet strange game on the XBox 360 and after giving the game a thorough trashing, it seems like it would be more suited to the world of PC gaming, especially considering the control and camera issues. However for me, it was still an endearing RPG game and even though it was quite PC-esq, something made want to explore this world of men and dragons.

Set in the fantasy setting of Rivellion, Divinity II is a universe where might and magic rule the world and the gamer is transformed into a powerful Dragon Slayer who is destined to become a Dragon Lord. Of course at its basic elements, Divinity II is an RPG game that has the player exploring the land, fighting enemies, finding equipment and of course a healthy dose of leveling.

The story of Divinity II revolves around a Dragon Hunter who is attempting to purge dragons from his and her lands. However as you progress, you soon discover that you are more than just a humble Dragon Hunter and more specifically, a Dragon Lord. Sure, it's clichéd and the voice acting is at times forced and contrived but hey... I'm a junkie for D&D type games and this returns the genre to a much more simpler time. Best of all, the game does not use the traditional character archetypes and your particular path is only limited by the skills that the player decides on.

In your travels, you will encounter a variety of NPC's and other key characters who will point you in the right direction and like XBOX 360 GAME, the player has the option of selecting a variety of dialogue lines that they will say to these characters. Interestingly enough, we saved the game and tried a few different options and different times in the game and it did not see to effect the outcome at all. That is a shame because it is such a valuable asset when used correctly.

Although the game is pretty much a hack 'n' slash RPG experience with a variety of weapons and items available to the player. Even the game starts very slowly, when you do find your "dragon" groove, you do have the ability to become a dragon which really ups the ante and enjoyment factor of the game. Leveling up is the same as most RPG games where you can put points to boost your skills.

Combat is fun, albeit in a third person way and although when you're "human", you hack and slash your way to victory with some spells, becoming the dragon is once again where the game starts to shine. Very reminiscent of the PS2 game Draken. The downside to the game is that it becomes a little repetitive but thankfully the missions and future skills is enough to nudge the gamer along.

Graphically, the environments are a little Spartan at the best of times but the enemies are well animated and contain some decent looking texture details to help immerse you into this fantasy world. The dragons look fantastic as do the special effects and lighting in the game. Although in hindsight, the game looks a little dated but with just enough 21st century console grace to still be quite pleasing to look at. Sometimes controlling the cameras are a little pesky which at times seems to crawl which does become a frustration issue while in combat.

Musically the game sounds great and features that RPG style soundtrack that is matched with all the sounds of battle. The voice acting is pip pip tally ho and does suit the game, although some characters fail the "oomph" factor which is a shame. Perhaps a higher production value may have turned this game from B to A.

At the end of the day, I enjoyed the game, even though there were a few pesky issues with the camera mode and the slow start of the game. However prevalence  will definitely unleash your inner dragon which is where the game shone for me. It may not be the most original RPG game on the market or attempt to add a curve ball into the future of the RPG market but at the end of the day, it's competent on most levels.

Features

• Sequel to the award-winning Divine Divinity and Beyond Divinity Role Playing Games!
  Following the lineage of these two much-acclaimed RPGs, Divinity II: Ego Draconis has adapted many of the most famous elements that made these two original games classics. Divinity II: Ego Draconis makes use of the same classless system that was incorporated in Divine Divinity, which allows you to choose your own path as you become a Dragon Knight.

• Fight as both a human and a dragon.
  Don't settle for taming and riding a dragon when you can be the Dragon! For the first time, an RPG unleashes the very power of the Dragon on you! Climb high and vaporize all that stands in your way as you strategically use both your human and dragon forms to defeat Damian and become the ultimate Dragon Knight!

• Dynamically unfolding storyline depending on your choices and skills.
  Divinity II : Ego Draconis gives you a wide range of moral choices when deciding on how to act on quest objectives. When you make these choices, the consequences of your actions appear throughout game play. Consequences such as up to 20 possible quest solutions, new quest chains, NPC reactions, vendor pricing and other experience-altering consequences make Divinity II: Ego Draconis very interesting and engaging.

• Use your powerful Battle Tower as base of operations.
  Looming like a colossal stone claw over Sentinel Island, stands the Battle Tower, a vast citadel built many centuries ago by Maxos, the Dragon Mage. Become bound to the Battle Tower through a mystical relic known as the Dragon Stone. The Dragon Stone allows you to teleport to the Battle Tower at any moment so that you can utilize the powers within.

• Build your very own ultimate fighting creature.
  Conjure the spirits to bring to life a creature made from body parts you have collected during your battles. This creature’s power is literally the sum of its body parts; the composition of various limbs determines its strengths and abilities. Once you are able to assemble this abomination, you may summon it to support you in combat.