Baldur's Gate 3 is not a game I had originally intended on playing. I do not have a D&D background and though I always enjoyed the original studios' work, I hadn't played the first two games. None of that matters for this one. You can come in with no D&D background or knowledge and really no knowledge of the lore from the previous games and be completely fine. With this game your choices matter and so do those dice rolls. With the variability, different classes, races, and backgrounds, even if you make similar choices every playthrough, the game will be different. I have multiple playthroughs so far and still have many more if I want to play every thing. Love the companions and their stories and the journey with them because your decisions do matter to them as well. There is so much to love about this game and the main thing I lament is getting to the end, but then I get to create a new character and do it all over again, if the mood strikes. Give it shot...this game does not nickel and dime you with microtransactions or additional content, they have cross-saves, and mods are supported. So while I may not have originally intended on playing this game, I have not regretted a moment of it.
First, the only D&D background is buying the books/guides for the new editions as they came out for my younger brother that was an avid player. I did not play the previous Baldur's Gate titles, but a friend encouraged me to give it a try despite my dislike of the turn-based combat. Replayability...this game has it in droves. Games are expensive so if I am going to add one to my library, I want to make sure that it has solid replayability potential. With so many options in character building, combined with the rolls that can change the outcome of a planned action, I can see a lot replayability with this title and that is very important to me when I select a new game to purchase. (I also love that there are no microtransactions so this is no pay to win game.) I get the feeling that even though a player may believe they have found everything there may be some things missed due to missed survival checks, etc. So with new possible things to discover on subsequent playthroughs, it continues to have new things to discover. I have a little over 25 hours of gameplay in so far, I am still in Act 1, but I'm enjoying the interactions with the companions that have joined me in camp so far. That said, I am still not fond of the turn-based combat because it takes so long to get through some battles. I cannot just set the tactics for the companions currently in the group and let them follow those while I focus the actions of my character. There is a major learning curve for me, but I am doing my best and allowing myself to get immersed in the story and character interactions. If story-driven RPG has appeal, check this game out. Your choices can definitely impact the group. Just be prepared to do some thinking and planning and maybe just maybe get sucked into a world with characters and stories that keep you coming back for more.
