Larian Studios didn't just make a sequel; they made a dating sim disguised as a tactical masterpiece. Honestly, if you aren't playing Divinity: Original Sin 2 with the express intent of seeing which Godwoken is willing to hold your hand while the world ends, you're missing half the fun. It’s messy. It’s weird. Sometimes it’s just plain awkward.
But it works.
Most RPGs treat romance like a vending machine. You put in enough "Nice Guy" coins, and eventually, a sex scene falls out. Original Sin 2 romance is different because it’s deeply tied to the narrative stakes of the game. You aren't just flirting; you are competing for divinity. Every single one of your companions wants the same thing you do: to become the next Divine. That creates a friction you don't see in games like Skyrim or even most Bioware titles. How do you love someone when you know, eventually, only one of you can ascend? It’s a brilliant bit of writing that makes every flirtatious line feel a little bit like a betrayal.
The Brutal Reality of Love in Rivellon
You’ve got six origin characters. Each one is a hot mess in their own specific way. Lohse has a literal demon living in her head. Sebille is a former slave with a needle and a very long grudge. If you want to pursue an Original Sin 2 romance, you have to accept that these people have baggage that makes a Samsonite factory look empty.
Take The Red Prince. He is an arrogant, lizard-folk royal who thinks he’s better than everyone. Initially, he’s insufferable. But if you stick with him, his romance arc involves a dream-plane love affair and a literal red princess. It’s high-concept fantasy stuff, but the emotional core is surprisingly tender. He goes from wanting to rule the world to wanting to rule it with you. Or maybe just for you. It’s hard to tell with lizards.
Then there’s Fane. He’s an eternal. He’s also a skeleton. Romancing a pile of bones sounds like a joke, but Fane’s arc is arguably the most tragic and profound in the entire game. He’s out of time. He’s lost everything. Watching him learn to care about "mortals" through a romantic lens adds a layer of existential dread to the gameplay that keeps you thinking long after you've turned off your PC.
How Approval Actually Functions
It isn't just about picking the "heart" icon. In fact, there are no icons. You actually have to listen.
Approval—or "Attitude" as the game calls it—is a hidden metric that fluctuates based on your choices. If you’re playing as a hero and you keep The Red Prince in your party, he’s going to hate some of your altruism. Conversely, if you’re too cruel, someone like Ifan ben-Mezd might start looking at you sideways.
To trigger the romance beats, you generally need to hit a certain threshold of attitude by the end of Act 2. This happens at the Lady Vengeance. It’s the "make or break" moment. If you haven't laid the groundwork by talking to them at every camp, helping with their personal quests, and generally not being a jerk, you'll be sleeping alone in your bunk.
The Infamous Act 3 Scene
We have to talk about the boat.
The transition between Act 2 and Act 3 is where the Original Sin 2 romance peaks. This is the culmination of your efforts. Unlike Baldur’s Gate 3, where the romance is spread out across dozens of long rests, Divinity puts a lot of weight on this specific night.
It’s surprisingly intimate. The writing shifts from high-fantasy jargon to something much more grounded and vulnerable. It’s also where the game’s "competitive" nature comes to a head. Your lover might ask you what happens when you reach the Well of Ascension. Do you promise to share power? Do you lie? The game tracks these promises. It remembers.
The Problem With Custom Characters
If you’re playing a custom "Avatar" character, the romance feels a bit different than if you’re playing an Origin-on-Origin story.
When you play as an Origin character (say, Lohse) and romance another (like Ifan), you get unique dialogue that reflects their shared history or conflicting backgrounds. A custom character is more of a blank slate. It’s still great, but it lacks that extra "oomph" of two established lore-heavy figures clashing and then connecting.
One thing people often get wrong is thinking you can romance everyone at once. You can’t. Well, you can flirt. You can definitely flirt. But when the time comes to commit on the Lady Vengeance, you have to choose. Choosing one often locks out the others, leading to some pretty cold shoulders in Act 4.
Why Ifan ben-Mezd is the Fan Favorite
Ifan is the "safe" choice, but he’s also the most narratively satisfying for many. He has a history with the Divine Order. He’s a mercenary with a soul-crushing past involving death fog.
His romance feels like a slow burn. He’s guarded. He’s cynical. When he finally opens up, it feels earned. Plus, he has that rugged, "I’ve seen too much" energy that people seem to gravitate toward. His ending slides, depending on your final choice regarding Divinity, are some of the most emotional in the game.
Sebille and the Complexity of Consent
Sebille’s romance is... intense. She starts the game literally holding a needle to your throat.
Her arc is about reclaiming her agency. If you try to force the romance or act like her master, it won't work. You have to earn her trust by respecting her autonomy. It’s a masterclass in writing a character who has been traumatized but isn't defined solely by that trauma. When she eventually shares her "true name" with you, it’s a mechanical and narrative payoff that feels weightier than any loot you'll find in a chest.
The Gameplay Impact of Your Heart
Does being in love actually help you kill magisters?
Sort of.
While there aren't massive stat boosts for being in a relationship, the "Attitude" system does affect how companions behave in certain scripted events. High attitude means they are less likely to turn on you during the final confrontation. And believe me, they will turn on you if they don't like you.
The final battle in Original Sin 2 is notorious for testing the bonds of your party. If you've botched your Original Sin 2 romance or ignored your companions' needs, you might find yourself fighting your former friends for the right to ascend. It’s a gut-punch. There is nothing worse than having to kill the character you spent 60 hours trying to impress because you didn't quite make them believe in your vision for the world.
Tips for Success
- Talk to them after every "Yellow Exclamation Mark": These are the triggers for character development. Do not ignore them.
- Do their personal quests: You cannot skip Sebille's encounter with the Master or Ifan's hunt for Roost and expect them to love you.
- Let them lead: Sometimes, a companion needs to handle a conversation themselves. Let them. It boosts their attitude significantly.
- Pet Pal is your friend: Okay, this doesn't directly affect romance, but talking to animals gives you context about the world that can help you make better decisions for your companions.
Final Thoughts on Rivellon’s Love Stories
Divinity: Original Sin 2 manages to make romance feel like a natural extension of its world-building rather than a tacked-on feature. It’s messy, complicated, and often ends in a bit of heartbreak, which is exactly why it’s so good.
The game forces you to weigh your personal happiness against the fate of the entire world. It’s a heavy burden, but having a companion by your side—whether it’s a demon-possessed bard or a very old skeleton—makes the journey through the Nameless Isle and into Arx feel a lot less lonely.
If you're jumping back into the game, try a pairing you haven't done before. Play as The Red Prince and romance Lohse. Play as Fane and try to woo Sebille. The permutations are huge, and the writing remains some of the best in the genre.
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Next Steps for Your Playthrough
To ensure you don't miss out on the best romantic outcomes, keep a close eye on your "Exclamation Point" triggers during Act 2. Make sure you complete every stage of your chosen companion’s personal quest before leaving Reaper's Coast. Most importantly, save your game before the big transition to Act 3 on the Lady Vengeance; this is your last chance to pivot if your favorite companion isn't feeling the spark.