
Preview: Baldur’s Gate III is the sequel you’ve been waiting for
Source: Larian Studios
On Monday, I went to New York to preview Baldur’s Gate III from Larian Studios. Larian has worked on a number of amazing games like Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin II. The team has brought all of its experience to Baldur’s Gate III because not only does it feature complex, strategic gameplay, but the story might be one of the most intriguing I’ve ever come across.
Baldur’s Gate III setting and story
Out of nowhere, we were kidnapped by mind flayers. A tadpole was put in our heads. We barely survived the crash landing of a nautiloid, and we find ourselves stranded in the middle of an inhospitable wilderness. We discover we have only a few days to get rid of the parasite inside, or we’ll become mind flayers ourselves. As we desperately seek a cure, we discover the tadpole gives us godlike powers and we find ourselves on the center stage of a complot hatched by none other than the Dead Three gods. Our journey will not only take us back to the legendary city of Baldur’s Gate, but through and beyond the Forgotten Realms.
The main difference – aside from better visuals and storytelling – from Larian’s previous projects is that Baldur’s Gate III features a lot of verticality. Instead of roaming a mostly flat map with some raised platforms, entire areas are hidden on various levels. For example, the lowest level of a camp might hold a secret dungeon, the rafters and main level are where the story mission takes place, and the highest level may house an interesting weapon. The game rewards exploration greatly from my understanding.
Baldur’s Gate III gameplay and moves
Source: Larian Studios
It’s important to stick together at all times in Baldur’s Gate III
Going back to the discussion of verticality, entering “Stealth Mode” and positioning your team around the room is the best way to achieve success in combat. For example, one teammate can climb the rafters and use a bow on enemies. The other two can flank both directions. The final companion can perhaps charge into battle and distract the mini-boss while the others pick off his followers. The choice is yours, but having the element of surprise is the key of success. Try to also have an even distribution of melee and ranged characters, because enemies do a lot of damage and your archers and wizards go down fast.
Environmental interactions have also been heightened in Baldur’s Gate III. The handy “superhero jump” mechanic makes it possible to reach greater heights or secret ledges, but you can always stack boxes into makeshift stairs to do the same. You still need to solve puzzles like the Divinity: Original Sin series by placing vases on hidden plates, but there’s so much more to do this time around. Always think about what could be above you and try to reach those areas.
Baldur’s Gate III dice rolls and unpredictability
Source: Larian Studios
You can choose a premade hero who has his or her own story, but you can also make a random one. The presentation focused on a vampire who was given special abilities after being tadpoled. It’s up to you if you want to go on a path of redemption or pure evil. However, you may lose companions depending on your actions. Luckily, there are a lot of them and it seems like you can only have three in your party. If you go with a pre-made character, you’ll also get special cutscenes and other details about them when you rest at camp.
Baldur’s Gate III new technology
Source: Larian Studios
Baldur’s Gate III is expected to join early access in 2020. So far, it’s been confirmed for Google Stadia and PC, but speaking with Executive Producer David Walgrave after the presentation, it was clear that the team wants to bring the game to as many people as possible. It’s definitely not a Stadia exclusive so hopefully, it’ll come to Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.
Baldur’s Gate III work in progress
Source: Larian Studios
Dark powers are awakening inside you, drawn from a mind flayer parasite planted in your mind. Resist, and turn evil against itself. Or embrace corruption, and lay claim to the Forgotten Realms. We are in the Forgotten Realms, a land of many races and multiple divine beings. We know that the world is in turmoil: armies of evil rampage along the Sword Coast, and refugees swarm to Baldur’s Gate. Amid all this chaos, a new cult is on the rise: the cult of the Absolute. Seeking to overthrow the old order, its shadowy network is chipping away at the Forgotten Realms foundations. Baldur’s Gate itself will be the first to fall. That is where we come in.
If you want to learn more about the game, be sure to check out the interview between myself and Walgrave. We discuss the game’s design philosophies, how the team handled the legacy of such an important franchise, and what are some of the hopes from next-generation consoles. The answers may surprise you.
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