Unleashing the Epic: A Definitive Baldur's Gate 3 Review

Larian Studios announced the early access build of Baldur's Gate 3 almost three years ago, igniting anticipation for a new chapter in the RPG genre. Now, with the full release of Baldur's Gate 3, players are immersed in a game that offers an abundance of information, options, and opportunities, ensuring there is always something to do.

The developers at Larian Studios have seamlessly integrated the intricacies of Dungeons & Dragons and its various systems into the game, creating an experience that closely resembles playing D&D with friends. While it may not completely replicate the real-life D&D experience, the game's complexity and sense of adventure come remarkably close.

Dungeons & Dragons has always revolved around numbers, encompassing abilities, attacks, damage, armor negation, spell damage, and carry weight. Dice rolls determine nearly every interaction in the imaginary world. While some Dungeon Masters may bend or disregard bad numbers for the sake of an intriguing game, numbers remain predominant in most situations. In Baldur's Gate 3, although not overtly evident, it sometimes feels that success or failure hinges on the edge of a dice roll in critical moments. This game seamlessly incorporates the same numerical systems found in a real-world D&D adventure, including levels, spell costs, travel distance, damage bonuses, racial bonuses, and passive checks. Baldur's Gate 3 wholeheartedly embraces the extensive influence of numbers across all aspects of gameplay.

Its systems will inevitably have both admirers and critics, leaving little room for neutrality. Some players will relish the intricacies and revel in observing the intricate reactions of various systems to their character's choices. Conversely, others may find it daunting or simply uninteresting to constantly monitor numerical fluctuations, yearning only to ascertain if a particular item surpasses their current possessions. Undoubtedly, weapon prowess encompasses a spectrum of potential damage, while armor showcases its defensive capabilities through a numerical value. However, certain weapon types or elemental factors introduce complexities that add a slight learning curve. Although Larian Studios has attempted to streamline the education process, extensive experimentation will be necessary to fully grasp the mechanics.

If users are willing to invest in learning the different systems, they will be rewarded with a gaming experience that is rare in the current gaming landscape. Initially, BG3 can appear overwhelming due to the abundance of information available to the player. It is also uncommon to come across a game in this genre that doesn't provide extensive explanations for each system through lengthy tutorials. While Baldur's Gate 3 does have an opening level, the tutorials are minimal and often non-existent. Surprisingly, this first area can have a significant impact on the playthrough by potentially missing out on long and short-term companions.

Baldur's Gate 3 features a wide range of companions, including both characters and creatures who may only join the player temporarily. While some of these comrades may not excel in combat, they all possess unique personalities that make them memorable. One of the game's strengths lies in its ability to create characters that players genuinely care about. Although it may sound cliché and common in RPGs, some of the characters who join the adventure are truly unforgettable. It is difficult to discuss these characters without spoiling their stories, but a few of them will leave a lasting emotional impact on players even after completing the game.

The voice acting in Baldur's Gate 3 greatly enhances the unforgettable traits of its characters. During the review playthrough, only one or two characters felt lackluster, which is surprising considering the large number of characters in the game. This demonstrates Larian Studios' dedication to creating a memorable experience. While not many voice lines will become famous, every line is delivered with conviction and adds to the overall appeal of the diverse cast of characters. The sheer number of characters encountered during the adventure is beyond what can be described with the word "multitude."

The content includes a feature that will either be loved or hated by most D&D players: a narrator who serves as a quasi-Dungeon Master or the voice of one. This is a delightful addition for long-time fans of Dungeons & Dragons, as they will enjoy hearing the familiar line, "There doesn’t appear to be anything out of the ordinary," when failing checks on items and doors. The narrator seamlessly transitions in and out of short cutscenes and interactions, maintaining the game's immersion. Their lines are well-crafted, informative, and sometimes even humorous. It integrates so smoothly into the gameplay that most players won't even notice.

The well-written efforts can be appreciated by more than just one player, as the game offers online, LAN, and local co-op modes. Playing with friends grants a lot of freedom by allowing players to control the other characters. However, players must start a new game with the host in order to choose a non-custom character. If joining after the game has already begun, they will have to create a custom character to participate. Fortunately, they will be given levels to catch up to the host. It's important for the host's friends to be punctual and focused if they want to complete the campaign, as the game is tied to the host's save file. While playing with friends is enjoyable, it may become tiresome if everyone's reading speeds vary greatly. Most players won't mind managing multiple D&D characters simultaneously, but co-op play does alleviate some of the burdens and provides a sense of liberation. However, the solo experience is also special in its own way, as every decision and consequence is solely in the hands of the player.

Baldur’s Gate 3 offers players an abundance of choices throughout the game, and this extends to the custom character creator. There are numerous options to customize hair, makeup, and race-specific features. Players can choose from 11 different base races, including popular ones like Tieflings and Drow, each with their own sub-races that offer unique abilities. Additionally, there are 12 different classes and subclasses, allowing players to dramatically alter their playstyle within a particular class. For example, various Paladin subclasses change how players approach situations based on their character's religious beliefs. Players can also select from 11 character backgrounds, some of which provide situational bonuses while others enhance base stats. Lastly, players allocate points to abilities in the traditional Dungeons & Dragons stat sheet, which influences everything from damage rolls to speech bonuses tied to charisma. While this may seem overwhelming for newcomers to D&D statistics, diving into each aspect and gaining deep knowledge can lead to profound and diverse play styles.

After all the events in Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, players are transported to a world set a hundred years later. They find themselves aboard a Mindflayer's ship, a bizarre flying vessel that captures and experiments on people. The player character is also subjected to this fate. From this point on, players have the power to shape the world as they embark on their adventures.

The full release of the game has been eagerly anticipated, and the new content surpasses the limited adventure offered in the early access build. While the game will inevitably be compared to its predecessors, some may argue that the main storyline lacks the same level of excitement. However, the game compensates for this with its vast array of side quests and the sheer magnitude of activities available.

Each area offers an abundance of tasks, which can easily divert players from the main storyline. With the expansive game world, it's not surprising that players may become overwhelmed with the number of options available at any given moment. The complexity of the game's systems contributes to the extensive content waiting to be explored. Additionally, players have the freedom to choose between good or evil in most situations, adding even more diversity to gameplay. To avoid being overwhelmed, it is advisable for players to focus on one quest at a time.

Several minor design choices in the game can be a little frustrating for users, but they don't have a major impact on the actual gameplay. For instance, players always have to go through a loading screen when entering a dialogue scene, even when the characters have nothing significant to say or when all the dialogue options have been exhausted. This interruption in the game's smooth flow can feel abrupt and disruptive the longer someone plays. Additionally, there are occasional crashes when leveling up characters, as the game switches to character-specific screens instead of keeping the leveling process within the game world. This happens regardless of whether the player needs to make choices for character growth, such as selecting new spells. Furthermore, players have the option to hold down a key to reveal most of the interactable items scattered throughout the area. This feature is particularly useful when searching for small items, to the point where players might as well keep the key pressed down to ensure they don't miss anything.

Aside from occasional random crashes, these issues don't completely break the game, but they do significantly disrupt immersion and gameplay. Some players may not enjoy the turn-based combat, finding it slow and tedious. However, Baldur's Gate games have always emphasized making thoughtful choices, and changing it to resemble an action-heavy game like Dark Souls would be too drastic. BG3 does offer more camera options, allowing for a more dynamic perspective. This adds some variety, but it can also lead to targeting problems, especially when going through doors.

However, Baldur's Gate 3 is truly something special. While it may seem overwhelming at first, investing time in learning its intricacies yields immensely satisfying rewards. Even casual gamers will find it hard to resist recommending this sequel. It possesses both charm and style, reflecting the dedication and passion of Larian Studios. The sheer scale of the game and its captivating content is a testament to the studio's commitment to delivering an incredible experience. The seamless integration of various Dungeons & Dragons systems is executed flawlessly, creating a potent combination of strategic gameplay and immersive storytelling that surpasses many other RPGs. With its exceptional quality and unparalleled enjoyment, Baldur's Gate 3 has the potential to unite fans, new and old, in acknowledgment of its extraordinary nature.

Baldur's Gate 3 is an RPG game created and published by Larian Studios that draws inspiration from Dungeons and Dragons. This captivating game offers players the opportunity to embark on thrilling adventures in both single-player and cooperative modes. By choosing a starting class, players can craft their unique character, delve into exciting quests, advance their abilities, and engage in riveting turn-based combat utilizing the D&D 5th edition rule set.

Baldur's Gate 3 is currently available on PC, and will release on September 6 for PS5. Game Rant was provided a PC code for this review.