Highlights
Baldur's Gate 3 is an impressive RPG with limitless control and a beautifully realized world, setting a high bar for future fantasy adventures.
The game would benefit from incorporating simulator mechanics such as marriage, children, and property ownership that have proven successful in other popular titles like The Elder Scrolls and The Sims. By including these features, the Baldur's Gate series could become even more immersive and appealing to fans.
Baldur's Gate 3 has raised the bar for future fantasy adventures with its impressive RPG gameplay and immersive world. The game offers players unparalleled control and an abundance of captivating stories. In addition to the thrilling adventure, Larian has expertly crafted memorable characters and a top-notch combat system. However, despite its accomplishments, there is still room for improvement.
Although Baldur's Gate 3 is lauded as one of the greatest RPGs ever made, it falls short in its simulator mechanics. While Larian allows players to establish romantic connections with their companions, these relationships cannot be taken further. Furthermore, the game lacks significant features such as property ownership, which can feel odd compared to titles like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Although these omissions do not diminish the game's quality, future installments in the franchise could benefit from incorporating some of the beloved life simulation features found in games like The Sims.
Life Sim Mechanics Could Take Baldur's Gate to New Heights
Baldur's Gate 3 encompasses many elements of the RPG genre, but falls short in implementing simulator mechanics. Larian Studios aimed to create a realistic experience with believable relationships, but their efforts only reached a certain level. Although the inclusion of relationship building and romance adds depth to the companions in Baldur's Gate 3, there is potential for the game to explore this concept further. Some players may disregard this feature once they successfully romance their desired companion, but expanding on the mechanics could enhance immersion in the game.
In contrast, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim allowed players to marry NPCs and even adopt and raise children, albeit in a limited manner. Despite the simplicity, these features contributed to creating a vibrant world. Franchises like The Sims are popular because they allow players to engage in the concept of marriage and family management. Baldur's Gate could have taken advantage of this concept by enabling players to cultivate their relationships, propose to their companions, partake in lavish weddings, and start a family. While this should not be the central focus of gameplay, it could serve as an engaging side element for players to enjoy experimenting with.
Including marriage and purchasable property in Baldur's Gate would greatly enhance the gaming experience. Currently, players are limited to using their camp as a base of operations, but the addition of property ownership would allow them to truly invest in the game world. Players should have the opportunity to acquire and customize their own base, accumulating wealth and expanding their influence. Many other RPGs and MMOs have already implemented similar features, and it's high time for a modern Dungeons and Dragons game to follow suit. Baldur's Gate 3 aims to immerse players in a fantastical world, and the inclusion of marriage and property ownership would further enhance that immersion. If not in future updates or DLC, these features should definitely be considered for the next installment of the series. Their incorporation would elevate this already excellent RPG series and fulfill the desires of many fans.
Baldur's Gate 3 is available now on PC, with a PS5 release on September 6 and an Xbox launch to follow.