Unleashing Epic Adventures: Baldur's Gate 3 Raises the Anticipation for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and Mass Effect 4

Baldur's Gate 3, developed by Larian Studios, holds significant importance in the realm of role-playing games. While the team has made it clear that the game doesn't aim to set unattainable standards for other RPG releases, it's hard to deny its impact. The previous two games in the Baldur's Gate series are widely regarded as exceptional CRPGs, and Larian Studios has already showcased their expertise with the impressive Divinity: Original Sin series. Now that the development phase of Baldur's Gate 3 is coming to an end and its release is imminent, it will be intriguing to observe how it influences the future releases from BioWare, the original guardians of the Baldur's Gate IP and creators of the first two games. As a renowned Western RPG developer, BioWare's involvement with Baldur's Gate led them to acquire the Star Wars license and produce the highly acclaimed Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. With the torch of Baldur's Gate now passed to Larian, BioWare is left with the responsibility of delivering new installments for both the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises, and their upcoming releases will be closely watched.

Baldur's Gate 3 Looks to Reinstate Old Genre Staples

Larian's approach to Baldur's Gate 3 is a breath of fresh air for Western RPGs, as it embraces the mechanics and storytelling of the past. The game's length and cutscenes have sparked a renewed debate, bringing attention to features that have been overlooked as the genre evolved. In an effort to capture the intricacy and attention to detail of Dungeons and Dragons campaigns, Baldur's Gate 3 promises a truly immersive role-playing experience.

Larian's previous success with Divinity: Original Sin is a testament to their ability to create captivating franchises. Elements such as character customization, strategic decision-making, and multiple outcomes are carried over from the Divinity games, now enhanced and implemented within the iconic Dungeons and Dragons universe.

How Baldur's Gate 3 Could Influence Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and Mass Effect 4

Baldur's Gate 3's unique approach of creating a "classic" style RPG in a modern engine could potentially inspire BioWare to return to their roots and prioritize RPG traditions over modern convenience and accessibility. While the Dragon Age franchise has always paid homage to BioWare's past and their renowned work on the Baldur's Gate games, the Mass Effect series has taken a different direction, leaning more towards action in recent installments.

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, hopefully, will soon be unveiled by BioWare, making any influence from Baldur's Gate 3's release and reception minimal. On the other hand, Mass Effect 4 arguably carries the weight of the entire franchise and is likely in its early stages of development. Given BioWare's reputation as one of the most talented Western RPG developers and their impressive catalog of titles, Baldur's Gate 3's success as an RPG could potentially shape the direction of Mass Effect 4.

Baldur’s Gate 3 releases on August 3 for PC and September 6 for PS5. An Xbox Series X/S version is in development.