Highlights
Baldur's Gate 3 offers a highly immersive experience with a vast amount of freedom and replay value, making it a game that should be savored at a leisurely pace.
The game's immersive narrative and multitude of side quests contribute to its slow-paced design, enabling players to become fully engrossed in the game world, sometimes at the expense of the main story.
The combat mechanics in Baldur's Gate 3 offer a spectrum of challenges, from straightforward to demanding, requiring players to optimize strategies and fine-tune builds. It is crucial to invest time in mastering the combat system, as hastily progressing can pose difficulties for certain players.
Given the abundance of highly anticipated video games set to release in 2023, there may be a strong desire to rush through and consume them all. However, it is important to approach Baldur's Gate 3 differently. Larian Studio's latest CRPG sensation has garnered significant attention, with upcoming versions for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, granting even more players access to the game. With this in mind, it is crucial for audiences to approach Baldur's Gate 3 with patience and take it step by step.
Baldur's Gate 3 has truly elevated the standards for CRPGs in various aspects. Its exceptional writing, evident in both the main storyline and side quests, offers an immersive experience that sparks the imagination. This game presents an unparalleled level of freedom to players, resulting in exceptional replay value and a weighty impact to the decisions made. Moreover, it establishes a true role-playing ambiance, providing numerous avenues for customization and class-building, delighting enthusiasts of traditional RPGs. It is clear that Baldur's Gate 3 possesses these remarkable strengths and more, making it most enjoyable when approached at a leisurely pace.
Baldur's Gate 3 is a Slow Burn
Baldur's Gate 3 is not a slow or boring game, but rather a turn-based RPG that focuses heavily on storytelling and decision-making. Players can go hours without encountering a fight and have the option to skip action-oriented sections using their charisma to avoid conflicts. Despite the slower pace, the world of Baldur's Gate 3 offers plenty of excitement. Additionally, the game boasts a considerable scale, with numerous side quests that are just as well-written, engaging, and creative as the main story. These side quests are not meant for grinding, but rather a way to progress by learning strategies and obtaining unique gear alongside leveling up.
In terms of progression, it is worth mentioning the combat difficulty in Baldur's Gate 3. While it is possible to overcome even the toughest enemies without fighting, there are moments when violence becomes necessary. These encounters can range from quick and simple to facing multiple brutal enemies attacking from all sides. The process of optimizing builds, familiarizing oneself with the locations, strategizing, and defeating these foes can be time-consuming. While some players may grasp the combat mechanics quickly, others may require more time to become proficient. It is crucial for the latter group not to rush and instead play the game at their own pace.
Ultimately, even if a player excels in the combat system and rushes through all the optional content, Baldur's Gate 3 remains a tremendously vast game. It is unlikely for every player to spend nearly 100 hours solely on the game's first act. However, the size and scale of the game cannot be understated. It will take a significant amount of time to complete Baldur's Gate 3, and players should embrace this fact.
Baldur's Gate 3 is available now for PC. The PlayStation 5 version will be available on September 6th, 2023. A version for Xbox Series X/S is still in development.