Baldur's Gate 3: The RPG That Ruined Other RPGs
Baldur's Gate 3: The RPG That Ruined Other RPGs
Three years of Early Access later, Larian Studios dropped the full version and broke the internet. Baldur's Gate 3 isn't just good. It's "every other RPG suddenly feels like homework" good. This is what happens when developers actually finish their game before releasing it.
Why Everyone Won't Shut Up About It
Here's what makes BG3 different:
- Actual Consequences: Kill an NPC in Act 1? Their cousin shows up in Act 3 asking questions. The game remembers everything.
- Full Voice Acting: 174 hours of dialogue. Every peasant, every merchant, every companion has a voice.
- Character Creator From Hell: Spend 3 hours perfecting your character's nose. We all did it.
- D&D 5e Combat: Throw goblins off cliffs, set oil on fire, stack boxes to reach places. If you can think it, you can probably do it.
Your Disaster Companions
The party members aren't just stat blocks with legs:
- Shadowheart: Goth cleric with trust issues
- Astarion: Vampire spawn who will judge your fashion choices
- Gale: Wizard who literally needs to eat magic items or explode
- Wyll: The only normal one (spoiler: he's not)
- Lae'zel: Will call you weak but also wants to bang
- Karlach: Tiefling barbarian who's literally too hot to handle
They'll argue, flirt, approve or disapprove of your choices, and occasionally try to kill each other. It's like managing a D&D group, but they can't rage quit.
The Freedom to Be Terrible
BG3 doesn't just let you be evil. It lets you be specifically, creatively awful:
- Stack explosive barrels before a cutscene, then ignite them mid-dialogue
- Convince enemies to kill themselves through persuasion
- Romance someone just to steal their stuff and leave
- Side with literally anyone, including the obvious villains
- Play as a murder hobo and somehow still complete the story
The game doesn't judge. Your companions will, but the game won't.
The Internet's Reaction
BG3 has consumed social media:
- "I have 200 hours and haven't left Act 1"
- "Other games need to explain why they can't do this"
- "I tried to pet the dog and accidentally started a war"
- Bear romance scene broke Twitter for a week
- Speedrunners finished it in under 4 minutes by stuffing the final boss in a box
The only complaint? It's too much game. People are getting choice paralysis because every decision actually matters.
Should You Buy It?
If you like RPGs: This is your new religion.
If you like D&D: It's better than most actual D&D campaigns.
If you have a life: Say goodbye to it.
If you hate turn-based combat: The story mode exists, coward.
Baldur's Gate 3 is the rare game that lives up to impossible hype. It's the new standard for what RPGs can be when developers are given time, money, and creative freedom. Other studios are frantically taking notes while pretending they're not worried.
Just remember: when you hit hour 150 and realize you're still in Act 2, we warned you.
