This world built by Larian Studios truly never holds back. If the player wants to do something there is always an option available to complete their goal. Destroy an entire fortress with thousands of explosive barrels? Go for it! Start a relationship with a squid person? Always an option! Resurrect a dead woman’s husband as a zombie? That is possible too! The ability to approach every scenario is a feeling that rarely is ever captured correctly in gaming, yet Baldur Gate 3 is such a complex game that often anything seems possible. Furthermore, you aren’t alone in your journey, as can bring up to three friends along and get into all sorts of crazy scenarios. This isn’t even mentioning the 29 subraces, along with 12 classes that allow you to further immerse yourself with a detailed or wacky character, and thus make it truly feel like a role-playing game.
Even alone, Baldurs Gate 3 provides a thoughtful and fun cast of companions, all interestingly flawed, and will grow with you throughout the campaign. Characters such as the cocky wizard Gale, the devoted cleric Shadowheart, and the joyful tiefling Karlach, each provide their own story that builds on the overall plot in meaningful ways, not to mention the romance opportunities the player also has access to. Meanwhile, the various side-quests and other NPCs are not left behind, having their complex motives and fun resolutions to their adventures.
Furthermore, the combat encounters that Larian creates are extremely impressive, with each made with extensive care and thought put into them. It results in making you think and plan the best course of action in each scenario, making every fight a sort of puzzle that needs to be solved. This isn’t even mentioning the build variety that is at your disposal to help out. I went down the route of being a warlock, while also putting a couple of levels into a sorcerer, resulting in a character who could sling countless eldrich blasts a turn. Meanwhile, a friend told me how they became a storm mage who could clear out whole encounters with a single cast of chain lightning. It is this freedom to approach combat in various ways that make it so special. Whether it is a complete bombardment of spells and magic or just a guy with a big hammer, the solutions that are provided are a joy to explore.
Baldurs Gate 3 is a type of game that only comes out once in a decade. It crafts a story that takes full advantage of the CRPG medium, being filled with charming and loveable characters that will steal your heart, while challenging the player with countless memorable encounters and battles. Never holding back, it provides a level of freedom and exploration that is rarely seen in the current landscape of gaming. Larian Studios has created something truly special, something that I deeply encourage you to experience for yourself.
By Wyatt Asgarian
