As a dedicated content creator for compare.edu.vn, I’m consistently exploring the nuances of gaming across different platforms. Like many gamers, I’m fascinated by how games adapt and perform on various hardware. It’s not always practical to own multiple versions of the same game, especially without cross-progression. However, titles like Larian Studios’ critically acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin 2 ($24.99) challenge this notion. I’ve personally experienced this RPG masterpiece across iPad Pro, laptop, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch Lite, and even on PS4 Pro and Xbox One X previously. With the anticipation building for Baldur’s Gate 3, I dove back into Divinity: Original Sin 2, sparking a desire to analyze and compare the controller experience and overall platform performance across these versions, especially focusing on portable options like Steam Deck, iPad, and Switch.
Before diving into platform specifics, let’s reiterate: Divinity: Original Sin 2 is an exceptional RPG. Regardless of your chosen platform, purchasing it is a worthwhile investment for any RPG enthusiast. This comparison aims to guide players, particularly those considering Steam Deck, iPad, and Nintendo Switch, in determining the best platform to prioritize – or if owning it on multiple systems enhances the experience. Having previously compared iOS and Switch versions for games like Stardew Valley and Dead Cells, the emergence of Steam Deck, especially with Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s Steam Deck Verified status, provides a perfect opportunity for a comprehensive iOS, Switch, and Steam Deck controller and platform comparison. For a deeper dive into the iPad version, you can also check out my dedicated iPad review of Divinity: Original Sin 2 here.
Controller Showdown: Divinity: Original Sin 2 on iPad vs. Switch vs. Steam Deck
The Steam Deck version of Divinity: Original Sin 2 is fundamentally the PC version, granting users versatile control options. You can seamlessly switch between keyboard and mouse, utilize the Steam Deck’s integrated controls, or connect external peripherals via Bluetooth, leveraging Steam Input for extensive controller customization and community configurations. The iPad version, as detailed in my earlier review, boasts comprehensive input support. It accommodates controllers, keyboard and mouse setups, and intuitive touch controls within Divinity: Original Sin 2. The interface dynamically adapts based on your chosen input method, with touch controls proving surprisingly effective. In contrast, the Nintendo Switch version is limited to button controls, designed for Joy-Cons or compatible controllers. Touchscreen input is not supported in this iteration. For players prioritizing controller experience, the Steam Deck and iPad offer superior flexibility and customization compared to the Switch’s more restrictive control scheme.
Interface and Visual Clarity Across Platforms
Continuing the comparison, interface and visual fidelity are key aspects of the gaming experience. Again, PC and iPad lead the pack in interface options. Among the three portable devices, the iPad, especially the 11-inch and larger models, provides the most visually appealing and user-friendly interface for Divinity: Original Sin 2. While playable on the Nintendo Switch Lite, the smaller screen and scaling compromises the visual experience compared to the regular Switch or docked mode. The development teams have commendably scaled the game across platforms, but the Switch Lite is arguably the least optimal way to enjoy the game’s intricate details and interface. Personally, the iPad version stands out with its expansive display and high-resolution clarity. However, for many, the PC version on a high-resolution monitor with a high refresh rate remains the ultimate visual experience for Divinity: Original Sin 2.
Performance and Visual Fidelity: iPad, Switch, and Steam Deck Benchmarked
For in-depth technical analysis of resolution and frame rates, I recommend consulting MrMacRight’s excellent video analysis of the iPad version here and Digital Foundry’s comprehensive breakdown of the Switch version here. These resources provide granular data on each platform’s performance.
From my hands-on experience, the Steam Deck consistently delivers the smoothest performance among portable systems. Using an older iPad Pro (2020) rather than the latest M1 or later models, the Steam Deck outperforms in terms of fluidity. The Switch, conversely, exhibits the least impressive performance of the three. Load times are notably fast on both iPad and Steam Deck, enhancing the overall experience. While Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s turn-based combat isn’t critically dependent on high frame rates, smoother performance, particularly on handheld devices, undeniably contributes to a more enjoyable gameplay session. One practical consideration is the significantly smaller install sizes on iPad (17.2GB) and Switch (11.8GB) compared to the PC version on Steam Deck (64GB).
Visually, the iPad Pro version is vibrant and sharp, but the Steam Deck prioritizes performance, offering a different kind of visual advantage through consistent frame rates and responsiveness, especially crucial for controller inputs.
Feature Set Comparison: iPad, Switch, and Steam Deck
The PC version of Divinity: Original Sin 2 naturally boasts the most extensive feature set, primarily due to official Steam Workshop support for mods. However, the iPad version is remarkably feature-rich, lacking only mod support. It includes full split-screen co-op, online cross-play with PC, and cross-save functionality, offering the complete Divinity: Original Sin 2 experience. The Nintendo Switch version supports cross-save with iPad and PC but omits online cross-play and split-screen co-op. This omission positions the Switch version more as a standalone portable option, less integrated with cross-platform play and local co-op experiences. For solo players or those focused on online Switch multiplayer, these limitations might be less significant.
Cross-Play and Cross-Save Ecosystems
As previously mentioned, online cross-play for Divinity: Original Sin 2 is available exclusively between iPad and PC platforms.
Cross-save functionality, facilitated through Steam, extends across iPad, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The cross-save feature is a compelling reason to consider owning Divinity: Original Sin 2 on multiple platforms, enabling seamless transitions between home and portable play. Notably, the PS4 and Xbox One versions do not support cross-save.
Deciding on the Best Portable Version and Controller Experience
In conclusion, the iPad version emerges as the most versatile portable platform for Divinity: Original Sin 2. It provides a comprehensive control scheme encompassing touch, controller, and keyboard/mouse, alongside nearly all the features of the PC version (excluding mods). If prioritizing consistently high frame rates and responsiveness for controller inputs is paramount, the Steam Deck is the ideal choice. The Nintendo Switch version, priced higher than the iPad version with diminished visuals, performance, and lacking split-screen and cross-play, presents a less compelling value proposition. While a physical Switch release was once a unique advantage, its current availability is uncertain.
For owners of modern iPads, it’s the unequivocally recommended portable platform. It delivers the full Divinity: Original Sin 2 experience with an exceptional interface and diverse control options. Steam Deck owners who already have the PC version might opt for Steam play to save on cost, but the iPad version offers a superior overall portable experience, particularly in terms of visual clarity and interface.
The game’s pricing varies: $44.99 on Steam, $49.99 on Nintendo Switch, and $24.99 on iPad. Discounts are periodically available across all platforms, making it advantageous to monitor for deals if multi-platform ownership is desired. Even at full price, Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a worthwhile purchase on any platform, despite minor platform-specific compromises.
PS5 and Xbox Considerations: Beyond Portable Gaming
While this review primarily focuses on portable platforms, it’s worth addressing the PS5 and Xbox versions. Having experienced Divinity: Original Sin 2 across all these platforms, the PS4 and Xbox One versions, when played on PS5 and Xbox Series X, are undoubtedly excellent due to the inherent quality of the game itself. However, I would only recommend these console versions for players primarily engaged within those ecosystems, particularly for local multiplayer, or for solo players unconcerned with cross-platform progression.
Hopefully, this comparative analysis aids in your decision-making process for choosing the best platform(s) to experience Divinity: Original Sin 2. Looking ahead, the prospect of Baldur’s Gate 3 potentially arriving on future Switch and iPad hardware iterations is exciting, promising further platform comparisons in the future. You can purchase Divinity: Original Sin 2 on the App Store for iPadOS here, the eShop for Nintendo Switch here, and on Steam here.
