Baldur's Gate 3

I buy games on GoG specifically to avoid data collection practices. Larian explicitly compel the user to share their gameplay and usage without a choice to opt-out. As progressive as Larian have been regarding distasteful "games-as-a-live-service" practices common in the industry, forcing me to participate in focus testing and analytics seems antithetical. I didn't buy in for early access because I am not a beta tester. I don't need another corporation havesting data when I specifically wish to play solo offline. At the very least, Larian could give us the option not to participate. In the meantime, I'm running this sandboxed to keep it from unauthorized sharing of my data. I will ammend my review if ever this data policy changes.

Played several hours. First off, from technical point of view, at the time of this review the game was very functional. Sure, a few camera problems here and there (like zooming going haywire and stucking inside mountain void) but everything like this can be fixed. Graphics look good, cinematics mostly great (Dragon Age/Mass Effect vibes there) with a very few glitches. No crashes (for me), skills, movement, everything works. Very polished for a in development version. However, what really let me down was that it really does not feel like a Baldur's Gate game. At all. More like version 3 of Divinity (there are Origins stories, animations, special effects are like those in DoS series..). This is as different to Baldur's Gate as Neverwinter Nights was. Which is a shame; as a NWN sequel this would probably have worked out great! But as a BG sequel not so much. Sure, the isometric, hand painted scenery was completely different but it had the BG feel and artistic style that BG3 just cannot replicate, or even come close to. Some will argue that this is a completely new Baldur's Gate game. Sure! But why call it Baldur's Gate then? Why not just make it a D&D game based in Faerun? Era could be same, or it could be different, there could be references to BG sure (news, gossips), shouldn't even be a licensing issue. But like this, I feel the name is just misleading. So long story short: - If you loved BG and hoped this would be similar sequel with similar artistic style and feel, you will most likely be disappointed. - If you liked Neverwinter Nights and BG was either ok or you never played, you will probably like this game. - If you liked D:OS series and have no significant opinion of BG, you will probably like this game. - If you loved NWN and and hoped BG would have been more like it, you will probably love this game. I fully admit that I am nostalgic, but as a BG fan, I unfortunately belong to the first group.

Now, don't get me wrong. The game's mechanics is 1:1 D&D 5e right there (minus the Incredible Hulk jump action). The flow of battle is good, your spells and abilities compliment each other, the overall graphics and looks of characters are just next level. Stunning and beautiful. Why three stars, then? Well, there are two points to address: 1. The setting itself - Forgotten Realms is a setting I've been with for a good deal of my childhood. I grew up in this and I've absorbed a lot of knowledge regarding the setting, lore of the lands, its people, magic and history. This setting is just not Forgotten Realms. Either that or 5'th edition Forgotten Realms is not Forgotten Realms anymore. You'll find characters of specific faiths and/or cultures doing somehting COMPLETELY unlike their core ideology dictates with no -reasoning- presented for it. It got so bad to the point that any brilliant moments I chalk up to a complete accident. This isn't a good FR experience, imo. 2. Writing itself - Well, if you ever hoped for Divinity OS:3, here it is. I cannot deny that everything about the world and events is reminding me of Divinity OS2. The prologue, albeit more epic, is reminiscent of Larian's previous game. Then the situation with Druid Grove, which is almost 1:1 Fort Joy. Overall feel and storytelling is very Divinity, too. And then, the characters themselves. Their introduction, the reason why they stick around with you, their entire backstory tying up to the grander plot of the game- Everything is Divinity OS2 framework. I haven't even finished the early access and I already know what's the plot about in entirety, since I've learned what to expect from Larian. It has same clues, same emphasis thrown at you regarding importance of certain things (not to throw a spoiler). If you are a casual player looking for a good rpg game, heck- buy it. You'll love this game. It'll get better on release. If you're an avid FR fan- you may want to think twice about your expecations.

Over the years Baldur's Gate series has been my go to series to make me feel like I'm in high school again. The nostalgia in these titles, and especially the first one, is real. The importance of these games on a personal level can't be overstated. So I'm afraid that if you are looking for an objective review, you should look elsewhere. Larian does most things in this game competently. The presentation is top notch, visually it looks stunning and the voice acting is evocative, albeit a bit over the top sometimes. If you want to show off a stunning game on your brand new PC, fire up Baldur's Gate III. The first Chapter in early access has the polish of a finished game after more than 2 years of tinkering. Unfortunately for an RPG this is a sideshow to the main draws: the story and the mechanics. All this competence does not translate to the writing of the NPC's and the main story. *spoilers* The story starts with the mistake many new DM's make: it goes too big and completely over the top from the start. It throws mind flayers, intellect devourers, spelljamming vessels, Githyanki and even that kitchen sink at the player. As the player, you are thrown in a story that goes way over your head with a ticking time bomb attached to it. It is just too much to swallow with no build up or backstory for yourself. Remember Baldur's Gate 1? The Prologue told you everything about your character. You were a nobody in Candlekeep. From your interactions with others there, you figured out who you were and were supposed to be. That's the RP part in RPG. The stakes didn't seem to be that high too. There was an iron crisis in the background, but it was mostly about you fleeing impending personal danger. How you would fit into the story would unfold gradually and masterfully. There were no elven semi-vampires accompanying you on the road, it was you and a whole bunch of nobodies whose stories still had to be written. Damn, I used up all my characters and have to end this here.