Baldur's Gate 3 Review: Does It Live Up to the Hype?
Few games arrive carrying the weight of expectation that Baldur's Gate 3 did. A sequel to a beloved 1990s franchise, built on the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition ruleset, developed by Larian Studios — the studio behind the critically praised Divinity: Original Sin series. After years of early access, the full release arrived and promptly swept nearly every major Game of the Year award in sight. But does it deserve all that praise? In a word: yes.
What Kind of Game Is This?
Baldur's Gate 3 is a classic role-playing game (CRPG) played from an isometric perspective. You create a character, choose a class, and embark on a massive narrative campaign set in the Forgotten Realms. Combat is turn-based, following D&D 5e rules, which means dice rolls, action economy, and positioning matter enormously. If you're new to CRPGs, expect a learning curve — but a rewarding one.
Story and Player Choice
The central hook — a mind flayer tadpole implanted in your skull that should be turning you into a monster — is just the beginning. The story branches in genuinely meaningful ways based on your decisions. Who you side with, which quests you complete (or fail), and how you speak to NPCs can dramatically alter Act 2 and Act 3 outcomes. This is rare. Most games promise choice; BG3 actually delivers it.
- Over 174 hours of voiced dialogue
- Multiple origin characters, each with their own storyline
- A Dark Urge origin that fundamentally changes your relationship with the narrative
- Multiplayer co-op for up to 4 players
Combat: Tactical and Deeply Satisfying
Turn-based D&D combat is either going to click with you or frustrate you. BG3 makes a strong case for why the format works. Environmental interactions — throwing enemies off ledges, using grease and fire, shoving crates — give you creative freedom that keeps encounters fresh even dozens of hours in. Boss fights feel earned, and the game rarely holds your hand.
Visuals and Performance
The game is stunning. Character models are extraordinarily detailed, and each of the three acts presents visually distinct environments. Performance at launch had some rough edges on certain hardware configurations, but patches have improved stability significantly across PC and console.
Verdict
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story & Writing | 10/10 |
| Combat & Gameplay | 9/10 |
| Visuals & Audio | 9/10 |
| Replayability | 10/10 |
| Overall | 9.5/10 |
Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the most complete, ambitious, and respectful RPG experiences ever made. Whether you're a longtime D&D player or a curious newcomer, there has never been a better time to dive in. It's a game that genuinely trusts you to be creative, and it rewards that trust at every turn.
Platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S | Genre: CRPG / Turn-Based RPG