Massive world, deep characters with a lot of lore and stories to discover. You can approach everything in your own way and make a true game.
But the main point why I love this game is:
Its done. They finished polishing it and then released it. How often do you get this nowadays?
You know its a gem ehan triple AAA game studios and publisher like EA and others telling everyone that this shouldnt be the standard - go look up the statements of them regarding BG3s release <3
Baldur's Gate 3 is currently in access and for what is there currently. I am eagerly hyped to see what the full game looks like
Right now the only issues that i have been facing are just technical glitches for animations, vocal, random pop-ins, and the occasional random double npc or two lol.
Also as of right now, you can only create custom characters to your hearts content; they don't really shy in what you can do; however facial hair styles are somewhat limited; and before you wonder: Yes all the trimmings of an DND RPG is there: Classes, origin, choices, random dice rolls to determine an outcome, etc, etc.
Now there are two things you must be aware of:
1) It's $60
In most cases i would say: "Nope" however this is in good hands - but buyer beware as it's only Act 1; but there is a lot of content "there" for you to explore and dabble in.
2) Combat
When you see the 'combat' you instantly think Divinity Original Sin and instant "Nope" however i believe that the real meat of a RPG, of a Baldur's Gate RPG, or a DND RPG; is really more of the RPG aspect in my opinion, and Larian Studios nailed it with a solid A+ but if you really want to know how the combat is; it has all the marks checked off; tactical elements, choice of terrian, party member - enemy your facing, etc, etc.
Overall, really do your research if you are on the fence about getting this game. Look at the gameplay elements before making a decision; because the two main factors that YOU should be considering are: "price tag" and "Is this MY kind of Baldur's Gate RPG game"
The game is awesome. It is great to an adaptation for D&D into cRPGs. And this time they did so many things right. You have the cinematics of Dragon Age franchise, you have the engine of D:OS, with a faithful adaptation of the D&D ruleset. In its state the game have a few bugs, but it is pretty impressive for an early acess. Most disapointing is that some classes and some races are missing, I hope they add it soon.
I played BG1 and TotSC, BG2 and ToB, Icewind dale and HoW, IWD2, Pillars of Eternity and TWM1&2, Pillars of Eternity 2, Neverwinter Nights, Foutain of Elemental Evil, Pathfinder Kingmaker, Divinity Original Sin and Divinity Original Sin 2, Dragon Age Origins, Planescape Torment, Solasta. Fallout 1 and 2 (just to add some more...)
I didn't play Siege of Dragonspear though
I loved each of these games (except Solasta). BG2 and ToB as all time favorite. DoS2 as second all time favorite, on par with Pillars of Eternity 1 and TWM. Solasta my all time low.
My take is very simple
If what you want is "muh 2d and Real Time with Pause", then play Pillars of Eternity, or Pathfinder Kingmaker (which is a great game by the way).
If you're only looking for a close adaptation of 5e, play Solasta.
If you are a real RPG lover and can enjoy both Turn based games and Real Time with Pause ones, and want to enjoy a top notch game based on Forgotten Realms lore, then this game is a no brainer. As simple as that.
You can only play Act 1, and only there you can go through the Act in 3 different ways at the surface, and 2 different ways in the underground. Each of those ways obviously end up at a certain moment to the same outcome at the end of the Act (but who knows after?), yet, they do REALLY provide you with hours of differing gameplay. For once, it's the first time I finally feel satisfied with "your decisions affect the game" as it really does, providing with insane replayability.
About the game itself, it's in EA, there are still some bugs. Some of which can be game breaking.
If you're ready for that, this EA alone puts down most of "finished" releases of today large studios as it is possible to sink 100h (with 3 different runs).
Go Larian!
Now what will really matter, as the game is great, the gameplay is great, the party is great, is that the story itself must be as EPIC as BG2 and ToB. If yes, there is even the possibility that this game surpasses BG2, if not... Not...
