Expanding the Boundaries of Baldur's Gate 3: Unleashing Neverwinter's Epic Adventure!

Highlights

Baldur's Gate 3 players are speculating about future expansions, and Neverwinter is a strong candidate due to its rich lore and potential for new adventures.

Neverwinter, also known as the "Jewel of the North," earns its reputation as one of the most advanced cities in Faerun, boasting exceptional craftsmanship and distinctive exports.

An expansion centered in Neverwinter would pay homage to the acclaimed Neverwinter Nights by BioWare, offering a blend of nostalgia and exhilaration for both newcomers and seasoned players.

Baldur's Gate 3 faithfully continues the legacy of the original BioWare games, which are considered classic CRPGs. While the game primarily focuses on exploring the titular city, there is speculation about future expanded content. With its intriguing premise of an Illithid invasion and an overarching plot, it is likely that an expansion for Baldur's Gate 3 will venture into unexplored territory. There are rumors about a potential DLC set in the Upper City, but another hub on the Sword Coast, Neverwinter, holds even more potential. This famous and prosperous city in the north has a history of being adapted into games and could be an ideal candidate for an expansion.

The Legacy of Neverwinter in the Forgotten Realms and its Adaptations

Neverwinter, often referred to as the "Jewel of the North" and the "City of Skilled Hands," is considered one of the most developed cities in Faerun. Even BG3's Volo himself has acknowledged it as the "most cosmopolitan and civilized" city, which is rare for an unreliable narrator. Renowned for its skilled craftsmen, Neverwinter is famous for its high-quality exports, such as glass lamps and water-clocks. Despite its location in the northern region, the city enjoys an uncharacteristic warmth, thanks to the magical power that keeps the Neverwinter River from freezing over. This warmth stems from fire elementals residing beneath Mount Hotenow, the region's volcano. However, the city has faced severe devastation in the past when the fire primordial named Maegera was awakened by Thayan betrayers, resulting in the eruption of the volcano and the destruction of a significant portion of Neverwinter. Nonetheless, the city has since made a remarkable recovery and boasts a rich lore that rivals the intensity of Baldur's Gate.

An Expansion Set in Neverwinter Can Honor Baldur's Gate's Original Developer

Between the impressive presentation of KOTOR and the immersive story of Baldur's Gate, BioWare's Neverwinter Nights is primarily recognized for its extensive modding support and custom modules, which transformed it into more of a platform than a standalone game for many players. Despite having less community support, Obsidian Entertainment's Neverwinter Nights 2 achieved its own success by delivering a more refined story. However, its Mask of the Betrayer expansion set in Rashemen ultimately overshadowed the base game for many players. If Baldur's Gate 3 eventually explores Neverwinter, it has the perfect opportunity to showcase the city in a way that has never been done before.

In Faerun, there are various significant locations capable of providing compelling adventures. However, Neverwinter already holds the most historical significance in the gaming world. Venturing to the north in Baldur's Gate 3 would not only excite newer players but also act as a nostalgic return for Neverwinter Nights players. This would truly complete the circle for adaptations of the Forgotten Realms. With its own array of dark secrets and malevolent entities, Neverwinter could further expand on the impressive achievements of Larian Studios in Baldur's Gate 3's sprawling third act.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available for PC and PS5. A version for Xbox Series X|S is currently in development.