This time, we don’t need to delve far back in time, as we’re examining a title from last year: Baldur’s Gate III. While I enjoy tabletop Dungeons & Dragons on occasion, my affinity for its video game adaptations, including the original Baldur’s Gate series, has been limited. There are numerous reasons for this, but I won’t bore you with the details. With over two decades since the last installment and a new developer at the helm, it was clear that Baldur’s Gate III would be a different experience. Given its favorable reception, I decided to give it a shot, focusing solely on the single-player journey.
Strength: The Combat System
Let’s kick off with what sets Baldur’s Gate III apart from its predecessors—the combat system. Dungeons & Dragons can be quite intricate and, at times, convoluted, relying heavily on luck. While this works well in a tabletop setting, where a social environment can ease the pain of poor dice rolls, the transition to video games often loses that charm. Baldur’s Gate III strives to make the rules more accessible, thanks to an intuitive user interface and the ability to preview the success rate of your moves. This approach adds a strategic layer to the randomness, allowing for more thoughtful gameplay.
However, the real thrill of combat lies in the abilities and the delightful surprises that arise during battles. There's immense satisfaction in executing a well-timed move that takes out multiple enemies or leaping across the battlefield to unleash devastating attacks. While the system is not without flaws—some controls feel cluttered and accidental misclicks can be punishing—it remains one of the best turn-based combat systems I’ve experienced, leaving me frustrated at times due to a lack of combat encounters as I often found peaceful resolutions.
Weakness: The Trap Mechanic
Traps present a tricky gameplay element; walking into one is rarely fun, and avoiding them can be equally tedious. In Baldur’s Gate III, traps rely on two skill checks: a Perception check to detect them and a Sleight of Hand check to disarm them. This dual requirement means more chances for failure, and unlike lockpicking, traps explode upon failure, resulting in a frustrating experience. Moreover, traps often appear in clusters, forcing players to navigate hazardous corridors with extreme caution
As I progressed through the game, I resorted to charging through traps without hesitation, opting for speed over caution. If the developers had made all traps disarmable without requiring a Perception check and reduced their overall frequency, traps could have been an engaging challenge rather than a cumbersome obstacle.
Strength: Companions
In Baldur’s Gate III, you won’t journey alone; companions join you from the outset and remain by your side until the end—if you choose. These characters are vital to the gameplay and narrative, enriching the experience with their diverse personalities and backstories. Conversations around the campfire and collaborative problem-solving create a dynamic party atmosphere. The ability to switch between companions adds depth, although it can lead to awkward moments if you inadvertently initiate dialogue with the wrong character. The only downside is that you can only change party members at camp, which can lead to wasted time later in the game. Still, it’s rewarding to explore each character’s arc, even if Lae’zel wasn’t my favorite.
Weakness: Bugs and Glitches
When Baldur’s Gate III launched in August of last year, many praised its completeness upon release—a sad rarity in today’s gaming landscape. However, my experience with the game a year later revealed a different reality, rife with bugs and design quirks. Pets often get stuck on invisible barriers, characters sometimes cease to respond until reloaded, and loading issues plagued my playthrough. These technical hiccups, combined with awkward camera angles, created frequent disruptions.
Choosing a screenshot to highlight this section was challenging, as I encountered numerous issues. While some were amusing, the overall frequency and variety of problems detracted from the experience. In contrast to the discussions from a year ago, I would describe my journey as feeling more like an early version rather than a polished final product. Baldur’s Gate III shines in many areas—its ambition and spectacle stand out—but polish is not one of its strong suits.
Strength: Creating My Dragonborn Ranger
Ultimately, the standout feature of this DnD epic is its iconic protagonist: the Dragonborn Ranger, Heinz Tomates Ketchp—a tomato farmer turned adventurer. The robust character creator allows players to craft their own unique heroes, whether they embody heroism, villainy, or chaos. Baldur’s Gate III excels in offering choices, from character customization to quest approaches and overarching story decisions. Players can embrace their inner mischief-maker or adopt a noble facade that shifts toward ambition. The question to ponder is always: what would Heinz Tomates Ketchp do?
Conclusion
With a game of this magnitude, there’s much more to discuss: the stunning visuals, the underwhelming tech tree, the various romantic entanglements, and the quirks of game mechanics. However, I’ll refrain from turning this overview into an exhaustive dissertation.
Baldur’s Gate III stands as a modern classic RPG, delivering a formidable experience while also carrying some genre pitfalls—especially in terms of bugs. It’s a lengthy adventure, occasionally dragging in pace, testing my patience at times. Yet, it also captivated me deeply, leaving a positive impression overall. While it may not entirely live up to its considerable hype, it aims high and provides a substantial journey, complete with its fair share of triumphs and pitfalls. The highlights are sure to linger with me long after the credits roll.
