Master the Epic Journey of Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 to Prepare for the Mind-Blowing Release of Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 is nearing its release, and anticipation for the CRPG from Larian Studios is at an all-time high following the success of its early access version. It's been more than two decades since the franchise's inception with Bioware, and Baldur's Gate 3 is likely to be the first game in the series for many newcomers who have only recently discovered these iconic fantasy titles. Although the original Baldur's Gate releases may show their age, they are still widely regarded as essential RPG experiences, offering some of the most authentic gameplay in the genre.

Baldur's Gate and its sequel, Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, are based on different versions of the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons rules, specifically the second edition rule set. Considering the significant amount of time it has taken for the highly anticipated Baldur's Gate 3 to come to fruition, the upcoming third installment is actually based on the fifth edition of Dungeons and Dragons. During the gap between games, both original titles have received Enhanced Edition updates that have expanded upon their already extensive content. With a plethora of races, classes, alignment choices, and various outcomes determined by player decisions, each fully-fledged game offers endless replayability. However, it's important to note that diving into the previous Baldur's Gate games before the release of the third installment requires a considerable time commitment.

Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition: 40 Hours - 70 Hours+

The original Baldur's Gate was developed by Bioware and released in 1998. It was later followed by Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition in 2012, which added more companions and content from the Tales of the Sword Coast expansion. The game has a steep learning curve, as indicated by the fact that less than half of Baldur's Gate players on Steam have achieved the "On My Own" accomplishment by leaving Candlekeep, the starting area. The optional Enhanced Edition expansion, The Black Pits, focuses on combat encounters and is relatively short. The controversial optional addition, Siege of Dragonspear, was released in 2016 to bridge the gap into the second game.

Completing the base game of Baldur's Gate typically takes around 40 hours, assuming players are not aiming for 100% completion. Adding the Tales of the Sword Coast expansion generally takes an additional 10 hours. The Black Pits expansion is much shorter, taking only a few hours to complete. Including the optional Siege of Dragonspear can add an extra 20 hours of gameplay leading up to the sequel. The game offers seven difficulty settings, ranging from "Story Mode" to "Legacy of Bhaal," which significantly impact the total playtime of a unique Baldur's Gate playthrough.

Baldur's Gate 2: 50 - 90 Hours+

Released in 2000, Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn was followed by its expansion, Throne of Bhaal, in 2001. The sequel's Enhanced Edition was released in 2013. Building directly on the first game, Baldur's Gate 2 introduces more challenging enemies from the start and offers a higher level of gameplay. It is praised for its immersive experience, featuring personally involved side quests with multiple routes and content-rich maps. Although the game initially offers only four companions, the Enhanced Edition adds four more, surpassing the shallow depth of the first game's 25 party members. Completing the base game typically takes around 50 hours, with Throne of Bhaal adding an additional 20 hours. The expansion is considered a necessary continuation of the main story and highly recommended. The Black Pits 2: Gladiators of Thay can extend the gameplay by several more hours, and some players can spend up to ten hours on the Enhanced Edition's bonus content. With the expanded content from both Baldur's Gate games, players can expect to spend anywhere from 90 to over 160 hours in preparation for the release of Baldur's Gate 3.

Baldur's Gate 3 comes out on August 3 on PC and September 6 on PS5. An Xbox Series X/S version is in development.