Highlights
Baldur's Gate 3 sets a new standard for CRPGs with its immense scale, polished writing, and player freedom, making it highly acclaimed by fans.
With its emphasis on story and characters, the game provides players with a captivating narrative and a multitude of interesting side quests. Interactions with companions further enhance the immersive experience.
Baldur's Gate 3 sets itself apart from other RPGs through its turn-based combat system. Success in battles requires players to employ strategic thinking, clever positioning, and effective management of their abilities.
Baldur's Gate 3 has been a huge success since its release on PC on August 3, and now it's coming to PS5 on September 6, reaching a wider audience. With the game's massive scale, well-crafted writing, and player freedom generating a lot of buzz, many console owners are eager to experience it. However, before diving into the PlayStation version, it's important to have some knowledge about Baldur's Gate 3.
For countless fans, Baldur's Gate 3 has raised the bar for CRPGs. The game's expansive map and extensive range of decision-making options set it apart from most other open-world titles. Additionally, every aspect of Baldur's Gate 3, including side quests and character interactions, is thoughtfully designed, memorable, and consistently engaging. Despite its success, it's essential to recognize that Baldur's Gate 3 breaks away from popular trends in the AAA genre. Therefore, it is beneficial to understand its distinctiveness before embarking on this gaming adventure.
Baldur's Gate 3 is a Slower, Story-Focused Game
Baldur's Gate 3 prioritizes story and characters, making it a game that cannot be rushed through. It is filled with narrative content, not only in the main story and side quests, but also in the interactions between the player and their companions.
Similar to Mass Effect, Baldur's Gate 3 offers a home base where players can unwind, switch party members, and, most importantly, build relationships with their companions. A significant portion of the game takes place at this home base, allowing players to engage in lengthy conversations with non-playable characters (NPCs) and progress their individual storylines through extensive dialogue. This type of content can also be found throughout the overworld, where players can interact with friendly NPCs in various encampments, strongholds, and cities. Developing relationships with BG3 characters, uncovering the game's lore, and exploring different dialogue options are some of the highlights of the experience. However, it is important to note that the gameplay style is less focused on action compared to other games.
Baldur's Gate 3 is Turn-Based
Baldur's Gate 3 diverges from conventional video game norms, as mentioned earlier. This is evident in its slower pace and emphasis on storytelling, as well as its combat mechanics. While most popular games favor fast-paced, real-time gameplay, Baldur's Gate 3 implements turn-based combat, which necessitates a more strategic and thoughtful approach. This distinct feature sets it apart from other RPGs, even those that share similar foundations.
However, it is worth noting that the turn-based combat in Baldur's Gate 3 differs from that of games like Pokémon or classic Final Fantasy titles. It places significant importance on positioning, movement, and effectively managing spell and action charges. Each race and class offers unique abilities, advantages, and disadvantages, and how players choose to build their party can have a significant impact on battle outcomes. Instead of relying on brute force, players must rely on support moves, powerful attacks, special abilities, and movement skills to gain an advantage in conflicts. A solid understanding of BG3's action economy, status effects, and movement system is crucial for success in combat.
Familiar fans of Dungeons and Dragons will find Baldur's Gate 3 to be reminiscent in both its storytelling and combat. However, for those unfamiliar with the game, it may offer a unique and distinct experience compared to other popular RPG series like Fallout or The Witcher. Nevertheless, these distinguishing factors are precisely what make Baldur's Gate 3 exceptional, and it deserves a try from any RPG enthusiast.
Baldur's Gate 3 is currently available for PC and is set to release on PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2023, with an Xbox Series X|S version currently being developed.