Baldur's Gate 3: Unleashing Larian's Remarkable RPG Mastery!

After nearly three years of being available in early access, Baldur's Gate 3 is set to have its official release on August 3 for PC, September 6 for PS5, and for Xbox Series X/S at a later date. Some may assume that a game in early access for such a long time may not have much more to offer players, but they would be mistaken. Baldur's Gate 3 is an expansive game that encompasses every intricate detail one would expect from a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. In fact, Larian Studios' new RPG brings to life the fantasy of experiencing DnD 5E's ruleset within a video game format.

During a preview event in Ghent, Belgium, Game Rant had the opportunity to play Baldur's Gate 3 for a total of seven hours (five hours on PC and two hours on PS5) across two days. It quickly became apparent that "permutation" is not merely a buzzword used by Larian, but an actual principle at the core of the game. With hundreds of hours of content, Baldur's Gate 3 provides each player with the ability to craft their own unique story within the game world, just like a true Dungeons and Dragons experience.

Baldur's Gate 3: PC First Impressions

In Baldur's Gate 3, the first step for players is creating their character, which combines the complexities of tabletop character creation with a user-friendly interface. The wide range of choices available can be overwhelming in a positive way, as players can spend hours perfecting their character. In our case, we chose to play as a Dragonborn Warlock, carefully selecting details such as the color of our scales, subtle eye features, horn design, and more. The depth of character generation in alignment with DnD 5e is so immersive that it required a strong will to move on from the character creation screen.

Once gameplay begins, two aspects become particularly noticeable. First, the story immediately grabs players' attention. It revolves around Mind Flayers infecting the playable character and their companions with tadpoles, but can quickly escalate in unexpected ways, influenced by player choices or dice rolls. Rolling dice in Baldur's Gate 3, regardless of modifiers, advantages, or disadvantages, replicates the tension and excitement of playing tabletop games. A Critical Success brings a sense of triumph, while a Critical Failure evokes impending doom, both leading to unforgettable moments. For instance, despite our Warlock having an impressive +7 Persuasion skill, we rolled a 1 during a conflict between two companions. This forced us to make a life-and-death decision, all in the early stages of Act One.

The combat in Baldur's Gate 3 immediately stands out due to its faithful implementation of Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) rules. Larian Studios has effectively translated every core rule and option from the 5E edition of the DnD rulebooks into the game. Players have access to Actions, Bonus Actions, Movement Speed, and other familiar mechanics, including options for dashes, reactions, attacks of opportunity, and disengaging. Even outside of combat, players can take short rests, long rests, and return to a camp, mirroring the rules of the tabletop game. However, Baldur's Gate 3 also introduces creative deviations from these rules. Natural 1s always result in automatic failures, and Natural 20s guarantee automatic successes, a design choice clearly influenced by the experiences of playing tabletop games rather than strict adherence to book rules.

These permutations also have a significant impact on moment-to-moment gameplay. It is entirely possible to overlook entire sections of the game by failing a passive perception check. This means that revisiting those areas with a different character later on can reveal new gameplay elements. For example, we initially missed a suspicious cow in the Druid Grove while playing on PC, but our PS5 character noticed something was amiss. This discovery led us to spend a considerable amount of time investigating the cow, inadvertently angering a companion named Wyll in the process. If we had ignored this element, Wyll wouldn't have been present in our playthrough, and we would have missed his involvement in the Druid Grove on PC. The pace at which players progress through the game also influences these permutations, creating diverse experiences for each playthrough.

Baldur's Gate 3: Playing The Dark Urge on PS5

: The Baldur's Gate 3 companions provide a truly rewarding experience in both camp interactions and adventures outside. This makes it one of the most fulfilling companion-based RPGs available thus far. While initial impressions of Wyll during early access were not well-received by some fans, Larian Studios has made significant changes to his story, allowing players to delve deeper into his character, goals, and unique traits. On the other hand, while Shadowheart may seem conventional when compared to the fiery Karlach, a Tiefling Barbarian, or the fierce Lae'zel, a Githyanki Fighter, her personal story resonates deeply and quickly endears her to players as one of the standout characters. Meanwhile, Karlach's tough exterior hides a charming and playful interior, which becomes evident in various delightful ways. Without revealing any spoilers, we had a memorable combat encounter with her, witnessing her intense rage even after everyone else had fallen. For roughly ten turns, she rampaged through the area, causing massive destruction and setting everything ablaze. With plenty more companions yet to be encountered in both Act One and beyond, Baldur's Gate 3 offers a diverse cast that can cater to every player's preferences.

To enhance our PS5 gaming experience, we opted to create a Baldur's Gate 3 character rooted in the Dark Urge origin. This unique origin combines the traits of both Origin Characters and Custom Characters. While Origin Characters come with pre-existing backstories and viewpoints, they offer limited customization options (players can assume the roles of Karlach, Shadowheart, Astarion, and more). Our chosen Dark Urge character possesses a predetermined perspective: an insatiable desire for murder. As a result, we crafted a Tiefling Monk to embody this compelling persona.

The contrast between a mindful monk and a bloodthirsty Dark Urge was clearly evident during our time with this character. We eliminated Gale without ever laying eyes on him, swiftly killed Lae'Zel, and only kept Shadowheart around for her role as a Cleric. Despite the Druid Grove's significant role in Baldur's Gate 3's Act One storyline, we entered, attacked, and left a trail of bodies in our wake. Whether one wishes to embody a virtuous Paladin or an indiscriminate murderer, there seem to be no barriers. It would be logical to assume that there are limits within the game, but we did not encounter any. Act One served as a playground for us to fully explore our characters and uncover something new each time. One character delved into nearby ruins and intricate dungeons, while the other completely bypassed them to explore the wrecked Nautiloid. In both paths, we discovered valuable and unique experiences.

What is fascinating about the Dark Urge is that players have the option to resist it, allowing for another aspect of roleplaying within the game. However, choosing to embrace it leads to undeniable enjoyment in being wicked, as evidenced by our amusement at taking Gale's hand. Creative Director Swen Vincke suggests that resisting the Urge is a compelling path, but indulging in it is not for the faint-hearted. This juxtaposition created moments of lightheartedness amidst the serious issues present in the world of Baldur's Gate. Just like a tabletop D&D game, players have the agency to determine the level of seriousness or humor they bring to a situation, with one player possibly facing arrest while another indulges in shopping. The immense scope of the game should not be underestimated.

Baldur's Gate 3: Permutation is Not Just a Buzzword

During a segment of the event where no intervention was allowed, Swen Vincke, the creative director, showcased a wide range of alternative possibilities and decisions that can be made later in the game. Some of these options were previewed in the recent Panel of Hell, such as the choices between Harper and Absolute, while others were not disclosed. For instance, we were presented with numerous camp triggers that could result in companions being unexpectedly abandoned or players being faced with impossible dilemmas right after deciding to take a break. Orin the Red, portrayed by actress Maggie Robertson, possesses the ability to change forms and could appear as seemingly innocent children, companions, and more, solely to test the player and their loyalty. In one instance, we were led to believe that Orin was a companion, and how we reacted to this situation had a profound impact on the overall trajectory of the story and our relationship with the companion.

Another involves a quest within the city walls, where players must investigate a serial killer. Murder is a common occurrence in Baldur's Gate, after all. According to lead writer Adam Smith, this quest has been one of the most challenging tasks he has ever faced. The reason behind this difficulty is the numerous ways in which players can initiate the quest: discovering any murder scene, the sequence of their discoveries, the presence or absence of an investigator (who may or may not be alive, as players have the option to kill him), stumbling upon an ongoing murder, and so on. As the investigation progresses, players come across additional bodies, pieces of evidence, and unexpected locations that lie deep beneath the city. Moreover, players' skills and abilities play a crucial role in navigating through each of these areas.

However, not all scenarios are filled with doom and gloom. In one part of the game preview, players visit a circus inside Baldur's Gate and engage with a Djinni. The Djinni provides players with the option to participate in a lottery, where they can either lose and move on or potentially uncover something through a passive perception check or digging around. The outcomes of this quest vary greatly depending on the information uncovered. For instance, one possible outcome involves a companion being transformed into a cheese wheel, while another results in a player being teleported alone to a realm teeming with dinosaurs.

Baldur's Gate 3: Differences Between PC and PS5

Baldur's Gate 3 is primarily a CRPG and is best played on PC. The various abilities of each class, race, party character, and standard DnD actions are efficiently accessed through hot keys on a hot bar, whereas on PS5, a command wheel is used. However, the issue arises as there are three command wheels, which can be personalized but can feel overwhelming on PS5. Nonetheless, this does not significantly detract from the game and may just require a learning curve.

On PC, character movement is controlled by mouse clicks, whereas on PS5, players have more precise control of their characters outside combat through the analog stick. This provides a satisfying sense of control and allows players to develop a stronger connection with their character. Although there are other minor changes like menu navigation, the utilization of command wheels and character control are the key differences in experiencing Baldur's Gate 3 on PS5.

Baldur's Gate 3 is set to be a highly successful game that will resonate with fans from various gaming realms. This is primarily because it prioritizes the player's experience above everything else. The storyline, romantic elements, abilities, and choices all revolve around the player, showcasing Larian Studios' commitment to providing a multitude of options that react to every decision made. Each playthrough of Baldur's Gate 3 is unique, further demonstrating its dedication to catering to its diverse player base.

Baldur's Gate 3 will be available on PC on August 3, followed by its release on PS5 on September 6. An Xbox Series X/S version is currently being developed.