Master the Art of Saving in Baldur's Gate 3: A Definitive Guide

In a gaming landscape dominated by MMOs and live service titles, the unique appeal of standalone video games can be easily overlooked. Baldur's Gate 3, a captivating RPG renowned for its intricate storylines shaped by player choices, falls into this increasingly rare category.

Therefore, comprehending the significance of saving in Baldur's Gate 3 becomes imperative. Given the permanent nature of death and the profound impact that successful or failed rolls and character decisions have on the narrative, players must adopt a vigilant approach to saving their progress. To that end, here is a guide on when and how to save in the game.

Saving the Game in Baldur's Gate 3

Pressing the Esc key, which is typically found on the upper left corner of the keyboard, will instantly redirect the player to the Options screen. The available choices in this section encompass saving and loading games, arranging multiplayer game sessions, as well as modifying key bindings. To access the Save Files screen, simply opt for the Save option.

Save Files

Choose "New Save" to access the Create New Save screen, where you can customize the auto-generated name, add a picture, and include a time stamp.

Select "Overwrite Save" to update or replace an existing file with the new one. Keep in mind that using this method will result in the deletion of the previous save, so exercise caution when utilizing this option.

Save File Management. Keeping track of numerous stories can be challenging, but players can conveniently access their saved files to choose which one to overwrite or load. The accompanying details comprise playtime, timestamp, as well as the status of Cross Save and Cloud features.

How to Quick Save in Baldur's Gate 3

In any game that necessitates split-second decision making, uncharted exploration, and irrevocable demise, a Quicksave feature is essential. The lineage of Baldur's Gate games has always included this option, and this newest installment remains faithful to that tradition.

Players can locate the function keys on the top section of the keyboard, situated above the line of number keys. The F5 key serves as the Quicksave, allowing players to quickly establish a checkpoint in case the character encounters a potentially unfavorable situation. By pressing this key, players can swiftly create a return point, enabling them to disregard any previous errors or mishaps.

Modifying the keybinding for any command is possible by accessing the Options menu and navigating to the Keybinds section. Specifically, it is the second option found at the top, adjacent to the Gameplay setting.

If the encounter concludes with death or a subpar ability check, press F8 to quickly reload to the last saved point. Players have the option to explore alternative paths in the wilderness or rethink their combat or stealth approach.

In previous versions of Baldur's Gate, the "Q" key functioned as the Quicksave key. However, in this version, the "Q" key has been repurposed to move the camera to the left. This can be customized in the Keybinds section by players.

How Autosave Works

In Baldur's Gate 3, the game includes various instances where Autosave automatically safeguards the progress without requiring any input from the player. These instances are activated when the player discovers new locations, interacts with specific significant NPCs, or comes across a Waypoint while exploring the wilderness. These Autosave points are conveniently categorized as "Autosave" in the Save Files section, featuring accompanying visuals and descriptions to assist in selecting the appropriate file.

Furthermore, there are two additional types of automatic Save options in Baldur's Gate 3 that may go unnoticed by the player. These options provide an alternative approach when saving the game.

Cross Save

When accessing the File Save screen, players will come across a prominent heading labeled as "Cross save." Directly below this heading, there is a term mentioned, namely "Uploaded." This functionality is specifically designed to cater to gamers who desire the flexibility of playing on multiple devices. Cross save allows players to seamlessly save and load their game progress across different platforms like PC, Mac, or PS5. This remarkable feature has been diligently worked upon ever since the initial announcement of BG3.

Cloud Save

Emphasizing the significance of having a save point in RPGs, it is worth noting that every manual save, Quicksave, or autosave is securely stored in the Steam Cloud. This means that the game can be loaded on any device with the Steam app, including the recently launched Steam Deck.

The Cloudsave feature is only functional when there is an internet connection accessible. It is important to consider this aspect when the main gaming device is a mobile device, such as a laptop, that frequently moves around, changes positions, and relies heavily on Wi-Fi as its primary source of connectivity.