Baldur’s Gate 3 Fans Brace for an Epic Launch Day Journey!

Highlights

Baldur's Gate 3 will be fully playable nearly a month before its initial scheduled launch, giving players ample time to dive into the expansive RPG.

The full release of Baldur's Gate 3 will necessitate a substantial download on its launch day, projected to reach approximately 122 GB. Unfortunately, there won't be any preloading option available.

Players can anticipate encountering 25 unique abilities in the skill tree, all inspired by mind-flayers. Additionally, they will have the capability to respec their entire party and enjoy seamless cross-save compatibility across different platforms.

Baldur's Gate 3 is just days away from its full release after being in Early Access for almost three years. On launch day, some players may experience a slight delay. Larian Studios, the developer, has spent July providing more information about the expansive nature of Baldur's Gate 3 and the transition from Early Access to the complete version.

Due to an unexpected but potentially favorable change in the release date, Baldur's Gate 3 will be fully playable almost a month before its originally scheduled launch. Recent marketing for this highly anticipated RPG has stated that a standard playthrough would take at least 70 hours, and there are a total of 174 hours of cinematics in the game. With the release of Starfield, another highly anticipated RPG with a strong narrative, slated for mid-September, it is understandable that Larian would want to maximize the attention for their project. However, unlike Starfield, which allows preloading, Baldur's Gate 3 will require a significant download on launch day.

A Community Update posted on Steam has confirmed that there will be no preloading option available for Baldur's Gate 3 before its official release on August 3rd. The update also mentions that the full release of the game will occupy around 122 GB of storage. It further emphasizes that any saved games from the Early Access version will not be compatible.

Moreover, it highlights that purchasing Baldur's Gate 3 through Steam/GOG grants access to both PC and Mac platforms. Additionally, players will be able to enjoy cross-save compatibility right from the game's launch. However, it's important to note that when the game becomes available on PlayStation 5 on September 6th, players will need to purchase a separate PS5 copy to continue their adventure seamlessly on the console.

Larian also mentions that they are actively working towards achieving 'Steam Deck Verified' status for the launch of Baldur's Gate 3, as Steam currently considers the game to be 'Playable' on the Deck. However, for players with more powerful desktops and rigs, Baldur's Gate 3 can be enjoyed in 4K resolution and on ultrawide monitors. It is said that with a "good CPU and a GeForce 3060," players can achieve 1440p at 60 FPS, and it is recommended to use a GeForce 4080/90 for a 4K display. Additionally, by utilizing NVIDIA's DLSS technology, even less powerful setups can potentially surpass their usual performance limitations.

In the latest Community Update before the game's release, various aspects of Baldur's Gate 3 are discussed, addressing previously hinted elements and answering questions from fans. Players will have access to a skill tree featuring twenty-five abilities inspired by mind flayers, regardless of the chosen character class during creation. Furthermore, for those who are unsatisfied with the performance of their chosen characters, the option to respec the entire party will be available in Baldur's Gate 3. However, Larian does mention that the Origin story and class of characters are deeply intertwined, but the option to respec is provided for the sake of roleplaying.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is set to release on August 3, 2023, for PC and September 6, 2023, for PS5.

Source: Steam