REVIEW | BALDUR’S GATE III | THE RPG THAT RAISED THE STANDARD 
In an era dominated by fast-paced action games and live-service formulas, Baldur’s Gate 3 stands out as a rare, uncompromising RPG that rewards patience, intelligence, and genuine curiosity. Larian Studios has taken the heart of tabletop Dungeons & Dragons and translated it into a living, reactive digital world where every decision carries weight. This isn’t just about rolling dice or min-maxing stats it’s about shaping a story that feels entirely your own. From its opening moments to its emotionally charged finale, Baldur’s Gate 3 delivers a role-playing experience that few modern titles even attempt.
Game Overview
Title: Baldur’s Gate 3
Genre: CRPG
Developer / Publisher: Larian Studios
Platforms: Windows, macOS, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Release Date: August 3, 2023 (Windows)
Average Completion Time: Main story around 60–70 hours
Story & Atmosphere
Few modern RPGs capture the soul of tabletop Dungeons & Dragons quite like Baldur’s Gate 3. From the opening sequence when your character awakens infected by a parasitic tadpole—Larian Studios wastes no time throwing you into a web of moral dilemmas, shifting alliances, and branching consequences that define the entire journey. The story is woven into every choice, conversation, and relationship you build. Whether you play as a cunning rogue, a devout cleric, or a power-hungry wizard, your moral compass constantly influences how the world reacts to you. Every decision saving a companion, betraying a faction, or sparing an enemy creates ripple effects that can alter the fate of the Forgotten Realms. The world-building is simply exceptional. From the smoky streets of Baldur’s Gate to shadow-cursed forests and eerie dungeons, every corner feels alive. NPCs are fully voiced, emotionally expressive, and memorable. Characters like Astarion, Lae’zel, and Shadowheart don’t just fill party slots they challenge your decisions, question your motives, and evolve with you. It’s storytelling at its most personal and dynamic.
Gameplay & Mechanics
Baldur’s Gate 3’s turn-based combat follows D&D 5th Edition rules, but with cinematic flair that keeps every encounter unpredictable and strategic. Every battle feels like a tactical puzzle terrain, positioning, and spell interactions can completely change an outcome. Fire can spread across oil patches, electricity jumps across puddles, and high ground truly matters. Character creation is another triumph. The number of races, classes, and subclasses allows for almost endless customization, both mechanical and narrative. You’re not just creating a stat sheet—you’re shaping a personality with history, flaws, and goals. Companions elevate gameplay to another level. Their unique quests blend seamlessly with the main narrative, often forcing you into moral crossroads. Do you trust Astarion’s dark impulses? Do you follow Lae’zel’s rigid Githyanki loyalty, or defy her in pursuit of your own path? These are the questions that make Baldur’s Gate 3 more than just a game it’s a test of your own principles. One minor drawback is the lack of a walk/run toggle. Characters constantly running can feel slightly unnatural during exploration, particularly in tighter indoor areas. While this doesn’t affect gameplay, it occasionally disrupts immersion a small but noticeable omission for fans of classic CRPGs like Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Wrath of the Righteous.
Audio & Visual Presentation
Visually, Baldur’s Gate 3 is breathtaking. The attention to detail in lighting, particle effects, and facial animation rivals even AAA cinematic RPGs. The way sunlight filters through ancient ruins or the glow of a fireball lights up the battlefield makes every frame worth capturing. That said, the game embraces a vibrant, cinematic aesthetic that sometimes trades grounded realism for stylized spectacle. Fans of the original Infinity Engine titles may miss the subdued tones and painterly isometric charm of Baldur’s Gate II, but there’s no denying the modern visual direction adds new energy to the series. The sound design and soundtrack deserve special mention. From orchestral crescendos in combat to haunting violin motifs during quiet character moments, every note reinforces the emotion on screen. Voice acting is consistently stellar every companion and villain feels like they’ve stepped out of a prestige TV series rather than a video game.
Technical Stability & Updates
At launch, Baldur’s Gate 3 was already remarkably polished for its scale. Still, Larian Studios has continued refining it through consistent updates. With Patch 7, official mod support was introduced a move that transformed the community. As of today, over 8,500 mods have been uploaded on mod.io, with more than 265 million downloads, allowing players to tweak visuals, rebalance gameplay, or even add entirely new features. It’s a thriving ecosystem that extends the game’s lifespan far beyond its campaign. However, a few technical hiccups remain, especially on Xbox, where some players report crashes and UI bugs related to the radial wheel. These issues are gradually being resolved, but they underscore the complexity of maintaining cross-platform parity in a game this ambitious.
Conclusion
Baldur’s Gate 3 is not just an RPG it’s a landmark moment for the genre. It masterfully bridges classic CRPG design with modern cinematic storytelling, proving that choice-driven, character-rich RPGs can thrive in the mainstream once again. Every aspect from tactical combat and branching quests to heartfelt character interactions feels handcrafted and deliberate. Larian Studios didn’t just revive the spirit of Baldur’s Gate; they redefined what players can expect from role-playing as a medium. Minor complaints about the lack of a walk toggle or visual stylization pale in comparison to the sheer depth, replayability, and emotional impact this game delivers. Few titles can claim to have reshaped their genre Baldur’s Gate 3 genuinely has. For anyone who values immersive storytelling, meaningful player agency, and strategic combat, this isn’t just a must-play it’s a benchmark that will influence RPG design for years to come.
Advantages
Deep, branching narrative with meaningful consequences
Memorable, emotionally nuanced companions
Creative and tactical turn-based combat
High replayability with countless builds and approaches
Excellent writing and world-building
Fully voiced, cinematic dialogue sequences
Expansive mod support and developer engagement
Gorgeous visuals and orchestral soundtrack
Disadvantages
No toggle for walk/run
Occasional cross-platform technical issues
Visual style may feel too stylized for old-school fans
