Unleashing the Force: Why Larian Studios Deserves a Shot at Star Wars

Highlights

Larian Studios, known for its success with Baldur's Gate 3, has the perfect opportunity to adapt its signature quality to a Star Wars CRPG game.

The success of Baldur's Gate 3 has brought numerous new fans into the world of CRPGs, igniting their anticipation for Larian Studios' forthcoming ventures. Given Larian Studios' exceptional skill in crafting captivating and immersive epic quests, they are a perfect choice to spearhead the creation of a brand-new Star Wars game within the CRPG genre.

Following the release of Baldur's Gate 3 to widespread acclaim and the recognition of Larian Studios as one of the premier developers in the CRPG genre, speculation arises as to which intellectual property the studio will tackle next. While the upcoming Divinity: Original Sin 3 is already on their agenda, there is a seamless opportunity for Larian to apply their signature quality to the Star Wars universe, drawing on the lessons learned from developing Baldur's Gate 3 and bridging the gap between fantasy and sci-fi.

Achieving the status of a frontrunner for Game of the Year within a niche genre is a remarkable achievement for Baldur's Gate 3. The game has successfully introduced numerous fans to CRPGs for the first time, captivating them with its player agency, captivating storytelling, and innovative problem-solving. As players eventually complete their journey with Baldur's Gate 3, many will seek similar titles that influenced its design, while others eagerly anticipate Larian Studios' future projects.

The Stars Are Aligned For a Larian Star Wars Game

Now that Star Wars is no longer bound to an exclusive agreement with EA that lasted for a decade, various studios are eagerly seeking the opportunity to offer their unique takes on one of the most beloved franchises in the world. Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws is expected to be the first release following this change, while Quantic Dream's Star Wars Eclipse may still be a long way off, and we can hope for many more to come. In 2021, the announcement of a remake for Knights of the Old Republic sparked a renewed interest in a potential Knights of the Old Republic 3. Given Larian Studios' growing reputation, they could be the perfect studio to take on this project.

With its choose-your-own-adventure style gameplay and decision-based narrative, Knights of the Old Republic seems like an ideal fit for Larian. It doesn't necessarily need to be Knights of the Old Republic 3, but when envisioning what a Star Wars game from Larian would look like, we can't help but draw comparisons to the impressive outings from BioWare and Obsidian. There are multiple similarities between the two KOTOR games and Baldur's Gate 3, extending beyond the CRPG genre and the Dungeons and Dragons ruleset. The diverse approaches to overcoming challenges, the freedom to embrace any moral alignment ranging from good to evil, and the depth of its combat all suggest that Larian would be the perfect choice for a Star Wars CRPG.

For Larian and Star Wars, There Are No Wrong Answers

While certain periods of Star Wars currently have a larger amount of content, there are no incorrect choices for Larian to adapt. Larian could create an ideal canvas for themselves by developing a High Republic game, where players explore unknown worlds and delve into theological sects of the Jedi and Sith, almost to the point where it feels unfamiliar to the existing IP. Alternatively, a more familiar story set in the New Republic era or during the rise of the Empire could also be successful, as Larian has the ability to expand upon well-known characters, just as Dave Filoni has done with the franchise.

Regardless of the specific parameters, a collaboration between Larian Studios and Star Wars would be a dream come true. The team has proven itself capable of creating a captivating hero's journey within a universe in crisis, and with their position as a driving force in bringing CRPGs to the mainstream, the timing is perfect for a new Star Wars game in this genre.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available now on PC and launches September 6 on PS5, with an Xbox Series X/S port also in development.