Baldur's Gate 3

Michael
Aug 31, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Apr 1

Introduction

Baldur’s Gate III is a game that does so many things right while still leaving room for some personal gripes. From its deep, tactical combat to the freedom it gives players in exploration and problem-solving, it feels like a true modern RPG with classic roots. At the same time, certain design choices—like a level cap that feels limiting for completionists or romances that come across as forced—might not sit well with everyone. Still, the game’s charm, creativity, and immersive world make it a memorable experience worth diving into.

Storyline

Well we are in trouble as we got infected with an illithid tadpole and if we won’t get rid of it soon we will undergo ceremorphosis that will not only basically kill us but also probably do something bad to our soul. While creating a custom character is nice I think that just like other Baldur’s Gate games were giving our hero more personal relation with Bhaal god of murder so does this game if we decide to play as Dark Urge and I think that is the best way to play and experience Baldur’s Gate III. I also think that is the way developers intended for us to play the game. That way we can pick any race and class we want and we also get an extra layer of immersion by not remembering anything from our past. Playing as Dark Urge also adds some strange things to the game that we would not experience and see in any other way. The only real cost of picking The Dark Urge is basically our background being fixed but that only means we will be proficient in medicine and intimidation while we will still be able to get other proficiencies from our race and class. Well with that wiggling tadpole in our brain I think it is time for us to try and survive so we can find someone that will heal us wouldn’t you say?

Gameplay

Exploration and Combat

Walking around the map and looking for traps and hidden secrets is great and done in real time, but combat is turn-based, which I think is a good idea. The game allows you to explore freely, not only horizontally but also vertically, making exploration fun by providing many ways to reach certain places. This also makes combat much more tactical than simple "click to kill," as seen in most RPGs. You can use terrain to position archers in elevated areas before starting combat, begin combat from stealth, or use your most charismatic party member to convince enemies that fighting is unnecessary—only to attack them later from a better position.

Turn-based combat allows you to plan who to attack first and which spells to cast, making combat more tactical and spells generally more useful than in real-time combat games. You can ensure enemies are in the center of a spell's area or force them to walk on ice during their turn to reach you. Tactical interactions also exist, like being wet making you resistant to fire but vulnerable to lightning. You can exploit this by having one character create water on enemies, then using another character to cast a lightning spell or shoot a lightning arrow.

Additionally, turn-based combat lets you set traps before a fight. You can place explosive barrels near enemies or use the Glyph of Warding spell, which triggers when hostile enemies step on it. By positioning these strategically, you can lure enemies into triggering them during their own turn.

Non-Combat Problem-Solving

What I also really like is that you can talk your way through many encounters, including bosses and other powerful enemies. This makes gameplay enjoyable across different playthroughs. For example, as a Bard, I was able to convince many enemies not to attack or even to kill themselves instead of fighting me. In contrast, playing as a Ranger/Rogue, I lacked the charisma and social skills to do the same, so I had to rely on stealth and ranged combat to deal with the same challenges. It’s great that the game offers multiple approaches and tools for solving problems, completing quests, and dealing with enemies.

Critiques on Gameplay Mechanics

However, there are some things I didn’t like. For instance, while you can disarm traps, you can’t pick them up and set them elsewhere—disarming simply destroys the trap. Another issue I had was with the companions. All of them being bisexual or "player-sexual" felt fake and stripped them of certain characteristics. It was strange that, during one camp rest, every companion wanted a romantic relationship with me. It made them feel as though they had no gender or race preferences, or that I was inexplicably the ideal match for all of them. This felt forced. I much prefer the approach in Mass Effect, where companions’ sexualities and preferences are integral to their personalities, and some won’t romance you if you’re not the gender they’re attracted to.

Act Progression and Level Cap

I also think Act 3 is the weakest part of the game, while Act 2 was the most engaging. Act 2 was dark and grim but still allowed for creative solutions, like defeating bosses through dialogue and social skills. Act 3 felt boring because the max level is capped at 12. Since I explore everything and complete every quest in RPGs, I reached level 11 at the start of Act 3. This meant that while there were still plenty of quests left, my rewards were limited to new items, with no way to make my hero or party stronger. Raising the level cap to at least 16 would allow for more powerful character builds, enhancing replay value and rewarding thorough exploration, without detracting from the experience of players satisfied with level 12 by the endgame.

Final Thoughts

While I really enjoyed the turn-based combat in Baldur’s Gate III, I still prefer Baldur’s Gate II. The companions in the latter are more interesting, and both the hero and companions can become high-level powerhouses, fighting great and powerful monsters. Additionally, in Baldur’s Gate II, companions will only romance characters of the races and genders they are attracted to, which makes them feel more realistic.

Pros

Tactical Turn-Based Combat: Engaging and strategic with terrain usage, spell planning, and trap setups.
Exploration Freedom: Vertical and horizontal exploration adds depth and fun to the world.
Multiple Problem-Solving Approaches: Options to fight, use stealth, or resolve encounters through dialogue.
Immersive World: Stunning graphics, excellent sound design, and detailed animations.
Replay Value: Different playstyles, like Bard or Ranger/Rogue, offer unique experiences.

Cons

Limited Level Cap: Level 12 cap feels restrictive for completionists and limits character progression.
Forced Companion Romances: "Player-sexual" companions lack realism and feel unnatural.
Act 3 Pacing: Less engaging than Act 2 due to limited progression incentives.
Trap Mechanics: Disarming traps destroys them, limiting tactical options.
Companion Depth: Some companions lack individuality compared to previous games like Baldur’s Gate II.

Graphics and Sound

The game is beautiful and the music and all the sounds whatever it is spells or weapons or just birds singing are great. This mix of great graphic and music and sounds makes it easy for players to be immersed into this world and feel like they are living there instead of just playing a game. All the enemies and monsters have great animations and it really adds tot he world. I still remember the birth of a Gnoll or many nice animations in dialogues like knocking someone out or seeing dragons fly etc.

Conclusion

Baldur’s Gate III delivers a rich RPG experience with tactical turn-based combat, immersive exploration, and diverse problem-solving approaches. While some aspects, like the level cap and forced companion romances, may detract from the experience for some players, the game’s depth and creativity make it a standout in the genre. If you like deep RPGs with turn-based combat, this game is for you.

Rating: 8/10