Let’s talk about Baldur’s Gate 3

On August 8, 2023, I began playing Baldur’s Gate 3. Now, I’ve never played Baldur’s Gate 1 or 2. I am brand new to Dungeons & Dragons. I love it. I’ve been playing since. After 154 hours on my first playthrough, I am now on my second playthrough. The last time I played a game that I’ve loved this much was Elder Scrolls III, Morrowind. I put over 300 hours into the game. Then Elder Scrolls V, Skyrim was the next love at over 300 hours as well. But this game is something new, something different.

Unlike my favorite series, Mass Effect, Baldur’s Gate 3 choices change the environment. In Mass Effect 1, 2 or 3, the choices matter but they don’t change the ending by much. In Baldur’s Gate 3, the endings are completely different. Make a choice in Act 1 and have a different outcome in Act 3 or find something new that despite roaming around for hours, I some how managed to miss.

This is what I love about playing videogames, the story, the adventure, the discovery. Falling in love with a new world. Finding new companions who you can love or hate. Play the character from your own point of view and perspective or make choices you would never do in real life. That’s the beauty of play videogames. You get to do weird, extraordinary things.

I’ve played videogames since high school. And the number of games I’ve played has grown steadily. What I love about looking back at my history of playing is that there are so many character stories that I recall. So many that I can play a new game and I am reminded of a previous game. In Baldur’s Gate 3 there is a character with a vaguely similar story arc to a character from Dragon Age 2. That was fun and surprising but the Baldur’s Gate 3 character was different and had different outcomes.

I love this game. I’ll be playing it for months to come. I am hoping for a DLC for more content. Which is a surprise as I was waiting for a videogame called Star Field. That’s on the back burner now. I have no intention of playing any other game, for the time being. If you are looking for a videogame, I recommend Baldur’s Gate 3. You don’t have to be versed in D&D. Just want to have an immersive experience in a sandbox world.