Baldur's Gate 3

They incorporated just enough of DnD 5th edition to make you think they're following it, but they made enough arbitrary changes that completely change how you must play the game, changes that feel like they were inspired from regrets of the developers that they didn't work out in DoS:II. Examples: Stealth is a free action for everyone, partial cover is not implemented (can shoot through/over other foes easily and no impact on to hit chance), shove being a free action instead of replacing an attack action, changing weapon sets is completely free, changes to key spells (sleep). More importantly though, the game is designed with the same flaws of DoS series in that you must complete missions in a certain order or you will be massively underpowered. Even foes of the same level, based on just how many foes you can expect to encounter. Mechanically, I spent more time watching the stupid d20 roll animation than it takes to roll the die in real life because of the unskippable success/failure animation. I died early on several times because the default action on something without a tooltip out of combat was ... attack, and it turned out to explode when attacked. The party limit of four makes no sense in a DnD context, resulting in a few hours lost because I couldn't figure out what the game devs wanted me to do and I kept getting swarmed by more foes than my tiny party could handle at that point. Arrows being an unlimited resource -- except magic arrows, makes bows and crossbows suddenly the most powerful weapon in the game, especially since shields are not implementing the "provide cover for missile fire" type mode I expected to see. Make arrows something limited for you and your opponents, with weight implications. Sorry, I found Neverwinter Nights series far more entertaining.

I've had a great time making different builds and the interactions with all the companions. I can't wait to see how the story plays out and making it to level 12 with multiple characters. This is going to bring a lot of people into crpg's and the franchise itself. I hope everyone that is intrigued at least gives it a shot.

Played over 500 hours in the early access, Larian Studios did an amazing job. the game's evolution over time, from the first time I played the early access to the last patch where we can reach level 5 show a lot of improvements in the game. this review is for the early access, so the 5 stars are for the great effort and the way they handled the game development, and for all that gave 59.99 to help Larian make this game possible. I expect the full game to be quite an experience, based on what I observed during the early access.

Game is just great, sadly lacks the BG2/IWD/IWD2 real time fights but everything other is epic. Its more complex then BG2/POE or even probably POE2. Story is great, graphics great (maybe even to many cut scenes for my personal taste), sound great. Immersive like hell (like the old crpgs like BG1-2/IWD1-2 or PoE/Tyranny). Game is epic size compared to currently released games what makes it 10/10 if you add the quality and everything i wrote earlier. Now considering all this you have NO MICROTRANSACTION SCAMS, NO REQUIRED CONNECTION TO INTERNET so they dont spy on you. Its like you go back in time. Didnt had so much fun and immersion since i played BG2 in early 2000's or later on Dragon Age 1 (maybe 2 also), Poe, Tyranny. RPG's not named are just under it in terms of defining genre. And it works on release without any insta fixes and patches (like CDP killed their cyberpunk). Also compare the price to Blizzards D4 and its 1/4 of offered content hahahaah :D

It's a cross between the divinity games and Baldurs Gate. the engine has been refined, the world is rich in detail and opportunity. The chartacters and voice acting are just among some of the best I've seen. Still, as a game, it can be more considered a successor to Divinity: OS2, rather than BG2, A little less frustrating and more refined though, so if you were put off by the endless combat that required barrel pushing and precise tactical use of objects, you may enjoy the more DnD influenced combat presented here.