Baldur’s Gate 3 has been taking the world by storm. It’s easy to see why the game won Game of the Year 2023. The game is an open world fantasy experience with high level character creation and interesting story. The game also possesses a fluid playstyle and a cast of interesting characters.
It’s hard not to see why this game is so amazing. Larian Studios and everyone involved put a lot of heart and soul into this game. This shows through the many raging fans that have latched onto this game as their new obsession (myself included).
Let’s delve into the world of Faerun.
As always, these articles are meant to serve as a guide rather than as a review. Not every game is right for everyone. This article is meant to represent an experience to help you decide if a game will fit your play style. The only thing that matters at the end of the day is whether you are having fun or not. Keeping that in mind let’s delve into the world of Faerun and take a deeper look at Baldur’s Gate 3.
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Story
Aside from the AMAZING level of personalization that the game has to offer BG3’s story a very enjoyable aspect out of the game. BG3 plays out in 3 separate acts, each one propelling the story forward in new and exciting ways. The story begins with your customized character trapped in what looks to be an alien spaceship. After being infected by one of the alien’s “tadpoles” (ew) the ship crashes. You are then left with the task of curing your infection before time runs out.
Right out the gate (no pun intended) you drop into a new and exciting fantasy world. If you’re confused but intrigued from the very beginning that means you’re playing the game right. While there is a general storyline involved within your gaming experience it is up to you to decide how it ends. One of the layers that makes this game so customizable is that you are the force behind how the story unfolds.
Every decision you make has consequences, and it can be difficult to ascertain at times what those consequences will be. Even certain decisions in the character creation section will have an impact on how certain characters will treat you in the game (a moment of silence for everyone who chose Drow as their race in the character creation mode).
As you go through the story you can decide to pick up certain companions that will join you on your journey. Again, it is your choice to decide on who you want to bring into your camp and who not to bring into your camp. While you can’t bring everyone that you like along with you as you progress through the story the broad range of companions is very refreshing. You can also choose to romance many of these companions after you’ve brought them into your camp adding another layer to your playthrough’s story.
A handful of companions you bring along for a short period of time and then may leave. If a romance option leaves don’t fret. They will return.
These aspects create endless hours of content making this game one that you can replay multiple times. How you choose to resolve certain situations is also very customizable as there is no right or wrong answer to how you handle certain scenarios. Aside from the fact that you companions may judge you for your decisions.
Want to be diplomatic and smooth talk your way out of a hostile situation by getting former enemies on your side? You can do that. Want to demolish everything in your path leaving a river of blood in your wake as your enemies writhe in pain and agony as they beg for mercy? You can do that. This is only a small percentage of the many ways that this game can take form under your jurisdiction. Whether you choose to think outside the box or follow a more traditional play style the possibilities are endless. Just keep in mind that certain actions may come back to bite you in the butt later.
Gameplay
While Baldur’s Gate 3 employs endless possibilities that can enhance the gaming experience it can quickly become overwhelming if you’re not careful. BG3 is not an intuitive game for newer gamers. If you’re not familiar with the tabletop roleplaying game known as Dungeons and Dragons (which is what the game’s story is initially based on) learning the game’s mechanics can prove to be a challenge.
Playing BG3 has a steep learning curve BUT if you’re willing to be patient enough to stick it out then you will receive the gift of a game with endless possibilities. Why this game can be difficult for newer players is that it is not very open about where and what you need to do.
The game is heavily based on what your goals are and it can make suggestions by offering the player quests. However, because of this direction and getting around can be a bit vague. Due to this be ready to Google EVERYTHING as the game is very sparse on in game instructions and directions. Something as simple as knowing how to shift your camera without moving your character can be a bit of a challenge.
Another aspect to keep in mind is combat and spellcasting. As mentioned before the game is largely based off the tabletop RPG known as Dungeons and Dragons. For anyone who is not familiar with how this game works, much of the aspects of how certain situations will play out are due to your chosen class (profession), race, character stats (such as how much strength your character possesses), and how high you roll in certain situations.
There’s a lot of math involved when it comes to generating outcomes that the game works out for you for the most part. However, there are a lot of terms that can come up with spellcasting and combat that can be overwhelming if you’re not used to how this style of play works. Don’t get too bogged down by the details and try to take the game’s mechanics in stride. It’s not an impossible game to learn and, as mentioned earlier, Google is always a device away. You can honestly get really far by just reading the summaries of a spell or skill and seeing what it does.
Your class will also play a big part in how easy or difficult this will be for you as well. Do your research and try to see what class will best fit with your play style and skill level. Some classes are more complex than others and there are certain professions out there that can ease you into the magical side of things more than others. You might feel less overwhelmed playing a bard or a cleric rather than going full wizard. Or you could jump into the pool feet first and start as a wizard so that you can spam fireballs through the entirety of a match. Whatever you decide make sure you’re having fun.
Pros
- High levels of customizability.
- Amazing story and character development.
- Interesting romance options.
- You can be a blue haired high elf bard who uses her charm and song to solve situations as her companions look on in awe ;).
Cons
- Can be overwhelming for players who are new to this kind of play style.
- Can be difficult to get around.
- Lack of blatant instructions.
- Possible decision anxiety.
Should you Play Baldur’s Gate 3?
That being said this game does have a lot of qualities about it that can become overwhelming for players who are looking for a more causal gaming experience. Baldur’s Gate 3 has the capacity to be that for you. To create the best gaming experience for yourself consider doing some light research before hand. Just remember that no matter what to have fun.
All that being said what this boil down to is that Baldur’s Gate 3 is a game that is an RPG that is highly customizable and really interesting if you enjoy playing games where you are the captain of your own ship. If you’re someone who likes min-maxing DND statistics to the moon and seeing the many ways that you can find a solution to a problem then this game is definitely something you should look into.
This game is also fun for people who like to throw themselves into an interesting scenario and try to feel around for what is the best option for them. This game’s customizability comes with the notion that not everyone wants to be an arch wizard on the brink of world domination. Some players want to be a high elf bard with cute blue hair and a charming personality (me).
Ready to start your adventures in 2023’s Game of the Year? Check out below to see where you can purchase the title (Only available for PC):
Steam (PC): Buy.
GOG (PC): Buy.
I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
Thank you!! I appreciate the kind words ^.^