Perhaps a bold statement for a game that is still in development, far from complete, and fairly full of bugs. However, Baldurs Gate 3 is already one of the best video games I’ve ever played.
Releasing into early access around a year ago, I picked up Baldurs Gate 3 and was really impressed with what I played of it. After around 25 hours I set it aside for a while knowing that my save was likely to be wiped fairly soon and that I didn’t want to see all of the content only to play through it again at a later date.
Fast-forward to now and Patch 6 has been released. With it has come the new Sorcerer class and a whole bunch of other fixes, additions, tweaks, and more. I figured it was time to jump back in and try out the new class.
Sorcerer
Upon starting the campaign again I felt like I had to go with the Sorcerer class. With completely new spells to try out, an interesting sounding Wild Magic subclass and metamagic to help you manipulate the battlefield even more. They sounded like a really fun class.
The Wild Magic Sorcerer also has a new ability called Tides of Chaos, which allows you additional advantages such as advantage of attack rolls, ability checks, or saving throws. With Wild Magic, there is also the chance of having a random effect either good or bad applied to you. You might be lucky and gain a buff or a bonus action. Or you might be unlucky and set everyone on fire. There is a fun side to the Wild Magic subclass and it often comes out in conversations with wild stories to tell.
I have to say I’m very happy with my choice of Wild Magic Sorcerer so far.
Rewarding content
One of the main things that attracted me to Baldur’s Gate in the first place was the sense of adventure and being able to choose what you did, how you did it, and when. My first playthrough – of which I didn’t complete everything, was a joy. I found secrets and interesting interactions down every path I took. Conversations are interesting and entertaining. Fights are dynamic and fun.
During my second playthrough – which is at about 10 hours now. I’ve already encountered so many new interactions, despite me still being in areas that I’m familiar with. What really surprised me with Baldur’s Gate 3 is that there really does seem to be something hiding around every corner. I don’t want to talk in too much detail about it. But I had no idea there were so many hidden things in and around the Druid’s Cove. Areas that I’d completely missed, or perhaps I’d failed a check somewhere along the line that would reveal a new place. I was under the impression that by starting again I would be playing the same content that I’d already completed for the first 15 hours or maybe even more. I’m so impressed with the differences I’ve found on my second time through.
Dynamic content
Whilst I love the conversations in Baldur’s Gate 3, they’re well-acted with engaging characters. It’s the fights that I really love. When people tell you that you can approach fights in different ways in games. Usually, it feels like you have maybe a couple of options. In this game, however, I feel like my imagination is the only thing holding me back. Do you want to set up an elaborate trap with barrels, oil, fire, and more? Or maybe you want to fling your enemies off of cliffs, let them climb back up, then do it again. Use the environment, destroy objects, crush enemies, set them alight, and more.
Even if you want to just go toe to toe in a fight you still have so many options at your disposal. Each member of your party brings something different. From ranged attacks, melee, magic to buffing and debuffing, and turning the enemy against each other. There is real freedom to the combat in this game and I love it.
Let’s not also gloss over the fact that spells sound and look amazing. They crack with venom, boom like thunder, and explode with a satisfying fireball. Each spell feels unique to use and is backed up with fantastic visuals and sound design.
Visual treat
Emersion is an important part of video games. To help with that creating engaging and beautiful environments is a key part. Every inch of this game looks stunning. I don’t go into any new area without taking a moment to just admire the scenery.
From lush cliffs to broken and shanty-looking houses. Dark, dank caves, and stunning points of interest. This game is wonderful to look at. The character models and clothing are all packed with detail.
Sure, Baldur’s Gate 3 is unfinished, it’s buggy as hell at times with quests completely breaking, funny visual glitches, and more. But I don’t care, this game is a masterpiece in the making. With only a fraction of the game’s full content currently in it, it’s already one of the best video games I’ve ever played. Imagine what it could be like when it’s done.
-Will
