Is Baldur’s Gate 3 Worth Your Time? 🤔

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that most gamers and non-gamers on the internet are aware of last year’s Game of the Year - Baldur’s Gate 3. It took the gaming world by storm, received critical acclaim, and raised the bar for what a AAA quality game should offer. But, is it worth your time? Or your money?

While I wish I could give you a clear “yes” or “no” answer, this game is too elaborate for a simple verdict. (TL;DR version in the images above!)

>Overview

Baldur’s Gate 3 is the third main instalment in the Baldur’s Gate series by Larian Studios, set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. It features an open world with real-time exploration and turn-based combat using a party of four. The game also has a multiplayer mode and supports couch co-op.

>Price and Platforms

Baldur’s Gate 3 costs $60 on PC and $70 on consoles (PS5, Xbox Series X/S).

>Gameplay Length

- ~70 hours if you focus on the main quest

- ~160 hours for thorough exploration and 100% completion

>Story and Setting (4/5)

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a high-fantasy RPG. You play as an adventurer infected by a mind-controlling parasite, travelling through the Forgotten Realms with your companions to achieve your goal. The setting isn’t groundbreaking, but the execution is impressive, with a huge open world, numerous companions, and countless tasks to accomplish.

This game might not be for you if you get overwhelmed by extensive side quests. However, if you enjoy resolving various storylines, you’ll likely appreciate BG3.

**Note:** The game starts slow (after escaping the Nautiloid), and I nearly gave up had it not been for its critical acclaim. I enjoyed the first two acts, but Act 3 felt unpolished and buggy, leading to burnout before the final battle.

>Gameplay (3.5/5)

The exploration is real-time, while combat is turn-based, similar to a tabletop game. There’s significant freedom of choice, starting with character creation. With 29 subraces, 12 classes, and their specializations, the game encourages experimentation.

Playing on PS5, I found the inventory system frustrating. Items wouldn’t stack automatically, tooltips obstructed the screen, and the UI wasn’t optimized for the console. Combat could be tedious and clunky, especially with multiple enemies, causing long wait times for enemy turns.

BG3 has replayability, but I lack the time and patience for another 100+ hour playthrough considering how much of a drag Act 3 felt like.

>Aesthetics - Graphics and Sound (4/5)

The game’s rendition of the Forgotten Realms is beautiful, with detailed textures and dynamic lighting. However, my PS5 sometimes struggled with performance.

The voice acting is top-notch, with Neil Newbon’s performance as Astarion standing out. I have no complaints here.

>Conclusion

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a major time investment. I enjoyed most of my experience, especially Acts 1 and 2. However, I wouldn’t pay full price to play it on the PS5. The characters and voice acting are great, though the resolution of their storylines could have been better.

So, is Baldur’s Gate 3 worth your time? Maybe, IF:

- You like exploration and lore.

- You play it on a PC, preferably with someone invested in the game (couch co-op isn’t the best, though…).

- You’re okay with save-scumming or multiple playthroughs for desired outcomes.

- You can commit to 70+ hours of gameplay.

I hope this review is helpful. Baldur’s Gate 3 has its fair share of flaws AND can be fun like any other game. However, many reviews for the game are either overly positive or negative, so I aimed for a balanced and honest perspective that I would have liked to receive before diving into the game.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk. 🫢

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