Gaming Baldur's Gate III by Larian Studios (PS5, PC, Mac, Xbox Series X|S)

Andersons Dietician said:
This is a bit of a weird comment given this seems to be exactly what the game is with no need for any skill or thought.
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I was being a bit tongue in cheek.

The notion that this game requires no thought is patently incorrect. You have to plan each action rather than react, along with planning your character progression, party makeup, party members character progression, item usage etc - it requires much more thought than pretty much any game that isn't in the grand strategy genre.

The combat gets pretty difficult imo, and does so earlier than most games. You won't be able to run around hitting things with basic attacks for long without getting smoked by most encounters. You'll definitely need to start combining party members skills along with utilizing the environment by act II.

Moby said:
I haven't played this yet as I was a bit apprehensive due to not being a huge DnD fan, but just read the last few posts and checked a few combat gameplay video and it looks fantastic! Love games that come with such varied and diverse combat mechanics and this seems to be right towards the high end in that aspect. I think I will pick this up once I am done with FF7, so thanks for the bump @Andersons Dietician
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I'd never played nor had any interest in DnD before BG3 and it wasn't a barrier to me enjoying the story or game at all. It helps that the game is packed to the gills with lore you can explore through character conversations, items etc. I'm not sure I've ever spent so long in a game listening to conversations or enjoying them to the level I did with this.
 
I've been debating whether to buy this game or not. So how is it after the initial hype has died down? Is it still as good as they say? Never played this type of game before so I'm cautious about paying full price for something I might not like. I like games such as Dragon Age and Witcher so is it something like that?
 
AaronRedDevil said:
I've been debating whether to buy this game or not. So how is it after the initial hype has died down? Is it still as good as they say? Never played this type of game before so I'm cautious about paying full price for something I might not like. I like games such as Dragon Age and Witcher so is it something like that?
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Yes it’s wonderful.
 
AaronRedDevil said:
I've been debating whether to buy this game or not. So how is it after the initial hype has died down? Is it still as good as they say? Never played this type of game before so I'm cautious about paying full price for something I might not like. I like games such as Dragon Age and Witcher so is it something like that?
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It's incredible but has a steep learning curve, and overloads you a bit with battle mechanics at the start, so stick with it. Though most people are hooked pretty quickly.
 
AaronRedDevil said:
I've been debating whether to buy this game or not. So how is it after the initial hype has died down? Is it still as good as they say? Never played this type of game before so I'm cautious about paying full price for something I might not like. I like games such as Dragon Age and Witcher so is it something like that?
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I guess it's similar to those games insofar as its a narrative driven fantasy world, but gameplay wise it's nothing like them. Instead of action, it's centered around strategy and party composition.

I've got about 300 hours in it which is crazy for me seeing as it's a single player with no expansions.

It's truly one of the best gaming experiences ever. I'd recommend it to anyone
 
I tried the demo of this for the PS5 but had no idea what was going on when the combat started. Found it massively confusing with no tutorial at all. Might say more about me than anything else in fairness.
 
padzilla said:
I tried the demo of this for the PS5 but had no idea what was going on when the combat started. Found it massively confusing with no tutorial at all. Might say more about me than anything else in fairness.
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Nah, it can be a brutal learning curve in some ways, especially if you're not used to turn based games but i would stick with it. I found it hard and a lot of information to take in (i even looked up beginner guides on YT for advice which helped) but it's easily become one of my all time favourite games and the characters and world are just phenomenal.
 
Anyone who has completed honour mode: have you found something else more difficult to try, or is there any kind of recognised challenge to try outside of speed running?

Was going to try a no steal/pickpocket play through, or an only steal one, but I have my doubts that carries any value beyond levelling up to 6. Anyone tried either? Was it more challenging?
 
Fortitude said:
Anyone who has completed honour mode: have you found something else more difficult to try, or is there any kind of recognised challenge to try outside of speed running?

Was going to try a no steal/pickpocket play through, or an only steal one, but I have my doubts that carries any value beyond levelling up to 6. Anyone tried either? Was it more challenging?
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Have you tried beating the game solo? As in with no companions (although from what I've seen usually you use all of their buffs but leave them at camp). It really challenges your creativity.

Like this use of health potion (at 17:27 if it won't start at the right timecode)
 
harms said:
Have you tried beating the game solo? As in with no companions (although from what I've seen usually you use all of their buffs but leave them at camp). It really challenges your creativity.

Like this use of health potion (at 17:27 if it won't start at the right timecode)
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I’ve heard about solo. Is it that much more difficult?

I actually find the first portion of levelling up the most challenging in the game, but once I am around level 6, there’s so many options and equipment equipped that the game gets easier.

Been playing it straight since December finishing it with all chars now except monk and bard, so I find a lot my actions are pretty much automated by now. Looking for something that breaks the mould for me now. Will defo do solo if it’s harder.

edit: cool trick she pulled off!
 
Fortitude said:
I’ve heard about solo. Is it that much more difficult?

I actually find the first portion of levelling up the most challenging in the game, but once I am around level 6, there’s so many options and equipment equipped that the game gets easier.

Been playing it straight since December finishing it with all chars now except monk and bard, so I find a lot my actions are pretty much automated by now. Looking for something that breaks the mould for me now. Will defo do solo if it’s harder.

edit: cool trick she pulled off!
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I've not played a full campaign solo myself, just tried it here and there, but I've watched others do it a fair bit. It looks interesting — and the obvious route to take if you're looking to challenge yourself more.

You're forced to use potions, surroundings & think about the tactical approach way more. With a full party next to the end of the game you're just steamrolling everything without a second thought.
 
harms said:
I've not played a full campaign solo myself, just tried it here and there, but I've watched others do it a fair bit. It looks interesting — and the obvious route to take if you're looking to challenge yourself more.

You're forced to use potions, surroundings & think about the tactical approach way more. With a full party next to the end of the game you're just steamrolling everything without a second thought.
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Second paragraph, exactly. You become a Godforce and then the game becomes rather easy.

OK! Solo next! Will update when/if it becomes a problem!

So I just leave everyone in camp and go with my designated character? Incidentally, do you switch out you ‘1’ or stick to your initial pick throughout the game? And if you’re not using Astarian, how are you opening chests, etc? Knock?
 
afrocentricity said:
Finally got this, cant wait to get stuck in!
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Enjoy it man. My first playthrough I really enjoyed, but the learning curve felt a bit steep at times because this is the first time I played a game like this.

I am on my second playthrough now, and with a better understanding of the combat and exploration mechanics, I am having an absolute blast. There is so much content that I didn't even realize was there on my first playthrough because I just neglected a hole in the ground or a single rock face, for example. The amount of content in this game is so good.
 
Fortitude said:
So I just leave everyone in camp and go with my designated character? Incidentally, do you switch out you ‘1’ or stick to your initial pick throughout the game? And if you’re not using Astarian, how are you opening chests, etc? Knock?
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Yeah, just go with your character. Leave the rest at your camp (and maybe respec them into some supporting classes to give you buffs at the camp). I think the more or less default choice for solo campaigns is a rogue with levels going into ranger, so that takes care of the chests/doors, but I'm sure that there are many different ways around this issue. And as for the switching out bit — usually you don't but I'm sure you can do it how you see fit, it may even be more fun to switch characters around.
 
harms said:
Yeah, just go with your character. Leave the rest at your camp (and maybe respec them into some supporting classes to give you buffs at the camp). I think the more or less default choice for solo campaigns is a rogue with levels going into ranger, so that takes care of the chests/doors, but I'm sure that there are many different ways around this issue. And as for the switching out bit — usually you don't but I'm sure you can do it how you see fit, it may even be more fun to switch characters around.
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Going for the authentic mode! Although I will miss my wizard :(
 
Well I finally finshed it. Took me 70 hours. I wanted to do absolutely everything so ill have to play this game once and thats it. Though i found out 30hrs in that fecked up and missed Karlach (the one person i was looking forward to meeting) So im gutted and dont feel like I experienced the full game. Ill still give it a 9/10. It's a very good game and I like the characters.

I'll start of with the cons first.
Dice throwing was fecking tedious in this game, I get that it's the point of a D&D game but I wish they just made the system like Mass Effect. Having high persuasion gets you special dialogue options instead of reloading the quicksave a bunch of times hoping for the for the dices to go in your favour. I wish they actually marked where the side missions objectives are most of the time because I spent most of the game going through YouTube just to find out what I was supposed to do. Some of the side missions were tedious as hell and didn't let you do something unless you have this other thing for later in the game. I was having a "not fun time" in ACT 2. Though I could have avoided some annoyances if I brought a fecking torch with me and certain items that would help me progress. Lastly is my biggest pet peeve. Silent protagonist, I hate that shit so much, its just lazy not having it speak the lines. Yet for some reason, the character does actually speak when your going around the map sometimes. It would have made some moments even more funny. (Like the sensitive books in the library)

Pros.
The game really had a dragon age origins feel to it. The Character creation is pretty cool. I picked an elven Paladin. Great side characters in the game. Everyone is so well written, even the random NPC's. The side story for each of them were very engaging and interesting. Astarian was probably my favourite of the lot, He's hilarious. His voice acting was top notch. The decisions in the game were probably the hardest ive ever had to make which is a good thing, they make a real difference to the game. I really liked it when you save a person and you still meet them later in the game, like Aradin or Mol. Everything you did in the game felt like it mattered. Especially towards the final mission, that was really cool with the way they came in. I did EVERYTHING almost and I got the good ending. To add also, I had 890 quicksaves. Hah
 
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AaronRedDevil said:
Well I finally finshed it. Took me 70 hours. I wanted to do absolutely everything so ill have to play this game once and thats it. Though i found out 30hrs in that fecked up and missed Karlach (the one person i was looking forward to meeting) So im gutted and dont feel like I experienced the full game. Ill still give it a 9/10. It's a very good game and I like the characters.

. Astarian was probably my favourite of the lot, He's hilarious. Bis voice acting was too notch. The decisions in the game were probably the hardest ive ever had to make which is a good thing, they make a real difference to the game.
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He's probably one of the best characters I've ever encountered in a video game and one of the funniest. It's entirely believable for which path you send him down, either the evil one or the good because of the writing and how good it is. If you play as the Dark Urge, Astarion is even more hilarious as he just doesn't care what you get up to as long as it doesn't affect him.
 
Irwin99 said:
He's probably one of the best characters I've ever encountered in a video game and one of the funniest. It's entirely believable for which path you send him down, either the evil one or the good because of the writing and how good it is. If you play as the Dark Urge, Astarion is even more hilarious as he just doesn't care what you get up to as long as it doesn't affect him.
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Hes just a brilliant character. Every line is gold. I'm currently restarting as a Teifling and just got Karlack as soon as possible. I like already. Still pissed I missed her first time. I only wanted to play this game once and move on.
 
AaronRedDevil said:
Dice throwing was fecking tedious in this game, I get that it's the point of a D&D game but I wish they just made the system like Mass Effect. Having high persuasion gets you special dialogue options instead of reloading the quicksave a bunch of times hoping for the for the dices to go in your favour.
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That's the beauty of the game though. You throw a 1 at a seemingly certain option and then roll with it... to each his own, of course, but it seems to me it's not the dice that made your gaming experience awful, it's the choice to reload every time something went not the way you expected it to.
 
Turning off that dice option in the menu helped I think. I enjoyed the dice aspect for sure. Never played d and d before.
 
AaronRedDevil said:
…you can do that?!
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You can't turn the dice off but there is an option to turn something off, might be called karmic rolls. Something like that. It's essentially if you have a good streak of rolls it means it will end and if you have a bad streak of will end, rather than it being properly random, which is silly.

If I have 20 in charisma I should be able to mostly talk my way out of stuff, not roll a one purely because I rolled 15 plus the last four rolls.
 
harms said:
Yeah, just go with your character. Leave the rest at your camp (and maybe respec them into some supporting classes to give you buffs at the camp). I think the more or less default choice for solo campaigns is a rogue with levels going into ranger, so that takes care of the chests/doors, but I'm sure that there are many different ways around this issue. And as for the switching out bit — usually you don't but I'm sure you can do it how you see fit, it may even be more fun to switch characters around.
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So I started this excitedly, but it isn’t at all hard (within the context of being a vet and knowing exactly what to bring along for each confrontation). Gloomstalker would be even worse because it feels like cheating as you’re so far from the engagement that there’s no element of jeopardy.

I’m thinking a more bespoke and difficult challenge would be to not be allowed to purchase anything throughout the game, especially as a solo because then pickpocketing is so much harder too.

Not sure how much longer I’ll give this current challenge because my char is levelling up quickly, and by lvl 6, he’s going to be multiple times more destructive than he already is.
 
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