Baldur's Gate 3 Convinced Me to Finally Try Out Larian's Last Critically Acclaimed Title

For years, I've heard nothing but praise for Larian Studios' Divinity: Original Sin series. The games were lauded for their deep and complex RPG systems, their witty and engaging writing, and their gorgeous visuals. However, for whatever reason, I never got around to playing them. But when Baldur's Gate 3, a Dungeons & Dragons-based RPG from Larian, was finally released in Early Access, I knew it was time to give the studio's work a try. Here's what I thought.

A Return to Form for the CRPG Genre

Baldur's Gate 3 is a faithful adaptation of the tabletop RPG, capturing all of the depth and complexity that the game is known for. The character creation system is incredibly robust, allowing you to create a character that is truly unique. The combat is challenging and rewarding, and the story is engaging and well-written. It's clear that Larian has a deep understanding of Dungeons & Dragons.

But Baldur's Gate 3 isn't just a great adaptation of D&D. It's also a great CRPG in its own right. The game's world is rich and detailed, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. The writing is witty and charming, and the game's visuals are stunning.

A Different Take on the D&D Formula

While Baldur's Gate 3 is faithful to the tabletop RPG, it also makes some changes to the formula that help to make it more accessible to newcomers. For example, the game uses a real-time combat system instead of the turn-based system that is used in the tabletop game. This makes the combat more fast-paced and exciting.

Additionally, Baldur's Gate 3 features a more streamlined character progression system than the tabletop game. This makes it easier for players to create and level up their characters, and it also helps to keep the game moving at a brisk pace.

A Few Minor Issues

While I overall enjoyed my time with Baldur's Gate 3, there were a few minor issues that I encountered. For example, the game's load times can be a bit long, and the occasional bug can also be encountered. However, these issues are relatively minor and did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the game.

Overall Impression

Baldur's Gate 3 is an excellent RPG that is a must-play for fans of Dungeons & Dragons or CRPGs in general. The game's deep and complex RPG systems, its witty and engaging writing, and its gorgeous visuals make it one of the best RPGs that I've played in recent years.