Baldur’s Gate III is set to make its mark on the gaming world with its full release in August 2023. After nearly three years in Early Access, the classic Forgotten Realms RPG series has been resurrected and reimagined by the talented developers at Larian Studios, the creators of Divinity: Original Sin.
With the final major Early Access update delivered in December, the studio is now fully focused on bringing players the ultimate Baldur’s Gate experience. Fans of roleplaying games will be thrilled with the intricate opportunities available in this new turn-based adventure.
From negotiating with druids and tieflings, to exploring the treacherous Underdark, players will encounter numerous challenges along the way.
In Baldur’s Gate III, players will have the opportunity to interact with a diverse cast of characters, each with their own interplanar woes and personalities, adding another layer to the game’s rich storyline. With a focus on mechanics, classes, and characters, we’ve been gathering all the necessary information so that players can dive right in and face the mind flayer menace head-on.
Get ready to embark on an epic journey in Baldur’s Gate III, the game that promises to deliver a truly unforgettable roleplaying experience.
Baldur’s Gate III Release Date
Baldur’s Gate 3 is finally set to make its full release later this year, with August 2023 being the most recent release date announced. This information was revealed at The Game Awards in 2022, and while the developers, Larian Studios, are confident about the release window, it is still subject to change.
Fans had originally hoped for a release in 2022, but expectations were set for 2023 with the confirmation in a retrospective video from a D&D Direct event. The full release will be available on both GOG and Steam for fans to enjoy.
Early Access Overview
Baldur’s Gate 3 has been available in Early Access since its launch, giving players a taste of what the final product will be like. In the Early Access version, players can explore a significant portion of the Sword Coast and the Underdark, as well as a fortress called Grymforge and a brief visit to Hell. The first act provides over 20 hours of adventuring and is full of combat encounters, characters, spells, and lines of dialogue, which have only grown over time.
However, the level cap is limited to 5 in the Early Access version, meaning players can only progress their characters up to level 5. The length of the first act will vary depending on how many battles are engaged in and how much exploring is done. While there is a clear main quest that takes players across the map, there are also plenty of secrets to discover off the beaten path.
In comparison to Divinity: Original Sin 2’s Early Access experience, Baldur’s Gate 3’s Early Access is denser and more robust, with more content available at launch. However, players will not be able to reach the city of Baldur’s Gate itself in the Early Access version.
Latest Preview of the Full Game
At The Game Awards 2022, hosted by Geoff Keighley, we got a glimpse of the final version of Baldur’s Gate 3. The showcase included footage of battles against various enemies from the Forgotten Realms, and the official announcement of the release date for the full game. Baldur’s Gate 3 will be leaving Early Access and fully releasing in August 2023. The show also introduced the return of characters Jaheira and Minsc, with the latter being voiced by Matt Mercer from Critical Role.
Gameplay Explained
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a classic RPG that offers players the opportunity to control a diverse party of heroes, each with their own unique backgrounds and motivations. You can either choose to play as one of the “origin characters” crafted by the developers, each with their own special story and dialogue hooks, or create your own character from scratch. The game is heavily driven by systems, with Larian creating its own D&D-inspired ruleset that emphasizes player choice and agency.
The game’s mechanics are designed to provide a creative and messy sandbox experience, with almost every object being usable as a weapon in combat. The game’s turn-based and real-time modes provide different opportunities for player interaction, making it a unique and immersive experience. The option to turn on Karmic Dice also helps to balance the game’s RNG and prevent players from experiencing prolonged streaks of luck or misfortune.
In the words of Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke, Baldur’s Gate 3 is all about staying true to the roots of the RPG genre and giving players the freedom to pursue their personal adventures. With the game’s full release scheduled for August 2023, players can look forward to an exciting and dynamic experience that promises to be a must-play for fans of RPGs.
