Baldur’s Gate 3 has been one of the most anticipated RPGs of the year, and for good reason. The game is a sequel to the legendary Baldur’s Gate series, which set the standard for fantasy role-playing games in the late 90s and early 2000s. The game is developed by Larian Studios, the acclaimed creators of Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin 2, which are widely regarded as some of the best modern CRPGs.
But how does Baldur’s Gate 3 live up to the expectations and the legacy of its predecessors? The game has been in Early Access since 2020, giving the team over at Larian Studios plenty of time to iron out the bugs, glitches, and missing features. Many reviewers have already played the game and shared their impressions, which are mostly positive and enthusiastic. Currently on MetaCritic, Baldur’s Gate 3 has the highest review score of 2023 so far. While we wait for full in depth review’s of Baldur’s Gate 3 we’ve gathered some highlights from various reviews on the internet.
Highlights of Baldur’s Gate 3
One of the main praises for Baldur’s Gate 3 is its rich and immersive world, which is faithful to the Dungeons & Dragons setting of the Forgotten Realms. The game features a vast and varied map, full of secrets, quests, and characters to interact with. The game also boasts a stunning visual presentation, with detailed graphics, dynamic lighting, and realistic physics.
Another highlight of Baldur’s Gate 3 is its deep and complex gameplay, which allows for a high degree of freedom and creativity. The game uses the fifth edition rules of Dungeons & Dragons, which offer a lot of customization options for creating and developing your character. The game also features a turn-based combat system, which is tactical and challenging, but also flexible and fun. The game lets you use spells, skills, items, and environmental objects to your advantage, as well as interact with your companions and enemies in various ways.
The game also has a strong narrative and character focus, which makes it engaging and emotional. The game starts with a dramatic premise: you are infected by a mind flayer parasite that will eventually turn you into one of them, unless you find a cure. Along the way, you will meet other characters who share your fate, and who will join you on your quest. The game lets you forge relationships with your companions, who have their own personalities, backgrounds, and motivations. The game also features a dialogue system that lets you choose from multiple options, which can affect the outcome of the story and the reactions of other characters.
Not without criticism
However, Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t without drawbacks. The most obvious drawback of Baldur’s Gate 3 is its difficulty and complexity, which can be overwhelming and frustrating for some players. The game has a steep learning curve, especially for those who are not familiar with Dungeons & Dragons rules or Larian’s previous games.
Baldur’s Gate 3 does not hold your hand or guide you through its mechanics or systems. The game also has a lot of randomness and unpredictability, which can make some situations unfair or impossible to overcome.
Conclusion
Overall, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a remarkable RPG that has a lot of potential to become a masterpiece. The game offers a rich and immersive world, a deep and complex gameplay, and a strong narrative and character focus. However, the game is not for everyone as it requires a lot of patience, dedication, and imagination. But for those who love fantasy role-playing games and are up to the challenge, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a must-play.