As 2023 comes to a close, the air is filled with the holiday spirit, and festivities are in full swing. I find myself engrossed in a unique form of celebration, a way that involves dice rolling, perception checking, and tactical battles, all thanks to Larian Studios’ latest game release entitled, Baldur's Gate 3.
From Baldur’s Gate 3 Official Website
For those unacquainted, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a role-playing game deeply rooted in the Dungeons & Dragons (DND) universe, specifically tied to its 5th Edition rules–but with their own twists. It is a game that can be enjoyed solo or with friends of up to four players in a party. For those curious about its “3” in the title, it is set 120 years after the events of its previous iteration, Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn.
Players are granted the choice from 12 different classes with their own respective subclasses, as well as 11 races to choose from, allowing you to completely express yourself on the battlefield the way you see fit.
Whether you opt for one of the origin characters or craft your own, you’re poised to traverse an engaging journey through a world full of wonder, deceit, beauty, and death. Every choice you make contributes to the legacy you’ll leave behind.
Story. I am enthralled, my fellow gamers.
From Larian Studios Official GIPHY
Currently, I find myself 61 hours into the game—yes, it doesn’t sound like much—and I am still in the middle of act 2—a testament to the depth of the narrative! I've deliberately shielded myself from any internet-sourced spoilers, allowing the game to unfold its story organically.
The voice acting is—chef’s kiss—outstanding, especially with the performance coming from the narrator and Karlach! This much is to be expected since their Divinity original sins games were also amazing. If you make an odd choice of dialogue, the characters provide a fuse of whimsical yet realistic responses, which encourages the player to play around a little, it makes you look forward to your next interaction with your party members.
As far as the story goes, it is clear and layered. You, as the player, get to unravel it in your own way at your own pace, which is very important.
Gameplay. This is where people might be deterred from the game because of its top-down, turn-based gameplay. I, for one, am completely fine with this format as it emphasizes the importance of strategy since you can’t just go willy-nilly anywhere.
From Larian Studios Official GIPHY
Don’t get me wrong, you can engage in fights anywhere if you truly choose to do so, but the developers integrated special instances where your characters can interact with the antagonists before the fight, so do be warned.
If you like action, there is plenty here, but if it is high-paced action, you may want to look somewhere else. The gameplay is structured to complement the story and allow you to appreciate the stories behind it.
From Larian Studios Official GIPHY
Oh, and there’s a dog—a delightful addition to the experience, earning a well-deserved 10/10.
Takeaways. Try it. This game can be played solo if you want to focus on the story, but it can also accommodate crazy shenanigans with friends.
From Larian Studios Official GIPHY
I found myself having three separate playthroughs, one for myself, and two for my different friend groups. Modding in the game is also phenomenal, as they provide slice-of-life features and beautification upgrades.
From the perspective of a DND player, this game is a godsend. You get to see classes, moves, and monsters from 5e come to life–it simply brings me joy. So, if you are interested, it is available on PC and on PlayStation.
Be warned, weary traveler, for the game is quite large. If you have it ready in the library you will require an internet speed that can download the game as fast as it can, with its fiber speeds. With PLDT Home Fiber Plus plans you will get to enjoy the game faster and without interruption, allowing you to indulge in BG3’s DND glory!
EDITOR'S NOTE
This article is part of our social experiment on nextupgrade.ph. We call it: "So I Tried It" (stylized via hashtag as #SoITriedIt).
#SoITriedIt is a special series featuring the personal experiences of the Next Upgrade Editorial Team as we embrace the smart home lifestyle ourselves. As we take that first step to do things better and smarter, we hope we will inspire all of you to jumpstart your smart home journey.