Dear Larian Studios, dear Developers,
Now that I played 100 hours of the game, I wanted to give you my feedback about the game.
I learned about the game around 2 months ago via youtube. (Was actually looking for news about Diablo 4).
I watched a let's play (don't remember who's) of the prologue, it was still from October last year, so maybe patch 2?
The amount of options for combat, and the complexity even in the prologue was very impressive.
I did not play Baldur's Gate 1 or 2, however, quite some time after the games release, I received Icewind Dale as a gift. This was my first game, I owned a legal copy of
Sadly I did not really speak much English back then, so could not fully enjoy the game, but still have some great memories of it.
Because of the above, when I learned about BG3, I was very much interested in it.
Now I have a
11 year old PC (ok, it was quite a machine back then), but still it is very old - so i did not believe the game would run at all, and thus did not get it right away...
A friend of mine suggested to buy it, and if it does not work, ask for a refund.
I am happy to report, that Baldur's Gate 3 actually runs, and is enjoyable on a 11 year old PC, if you do not mind sometimes having 20 fps only.
Now I am 37 at the moment, so not many games can capture me nowadays, and especially not for 100+ hours.
I am currently on my 4th playthrough, played as a Cleric of Selune, as a Fighter, a chaotic Ranger, and now as an evil Necromancer (at least try to mimic that).
I am very happy, that in these 4 playthroughs were very much different, with different outcomes, and new thing to discover every time.
For example, i did not discover the Owlbear cave until my 3rd playthrough, and also did not meet Alfira till my 3rd playthrough.
I really like that your choices do matter in this game, and that you have so many of them.
Some choices you regret later, and some you don't even want to make.
But this makes the whole game so "real".
I also very much like the turn based combat, I really struggled with the combat in Icewind Dale, here you can be much more in control, and also has a tactics aspect to it.
The origin characters:
They are all really well done, their backstory is very interesting, and you can really love all of them... hell, even Astarion.
Can't wait to fully discover their stories in the finished game.
Best thing about them is that they are not purely good or evil, but a very interesting mix of both.
I really think, the origin characters are a masterpiece part of the game.
As for the game world:
Another masterpiece.
I like how nothing is really hidden, but you still can miss things easily. The design of the world is really great. some parts could use a bit more polish, but in general, I just love exploring the world, and all the little details that you can find...
For example the ruined houses in the blighted village are so well done, all the little things that have been added to them just to have a more real feel.
"I haven't seen this game for a while." - That was so cool.
Since the game is in Early Access I do not want to point out bugs, and such, but here are a few things I think could use a bit of rework: (but these are minor things mainly)
- When you free Lae'zel, shooting at the cage is i think a bit stupid.
Could be much more interesting if you could either:
a.) climb the rock above the cage, and lower the cage.
b.) Have the rope be tied to a tree, or something, and you could cut it down.
- The party wipe in the Overgrown Ruins (with the trap at the sarcophagus).
I get that there was a trap, but maybe its a bit to harsh for the 2nd hour you play the game.
Maybe put a tutorial in there, on how to manage traps, end such.
You see, my issue was, I had no idea what to do at first, and by the time i tried to escape, my party died.
And If I am not mistaken you need the key from there to open the other door, so... It is a bit cruel.
- Talkative Skeleton...
I like the idea, but don't like him being forced on us. - Would love the option to send him away.
- Alfira and the Harpies being so close to each other.
For me its a bit immersion killing to see, no mater if you go left or right, someone is singing there.
Maybe Alfira could be moved to a different part of the grove. (like somewhere where Kanon's grave is?)
- Too many encouteres where you are almost forced to use the Illithid powers or fight a small horde of goblins.
it is a bit repetitive to be honest.
- Females having an option to have a beard.
I understand the need for "diversity", but come on...
Anyways.
I wish to thank you so much for all the attention to detail, all the story options, that your choices matter, the great character designs, and how nothing is black or white in this game.
Thank you for all your hard work, time, and dedication to the game!
I enjoyed these 100+ hour a lot, and still want to try a 5th playthrough, and a 6th... And most likely a 7th after.
Although Baldur's Gate 3 is still in Early Access, it has a much greater replay value then 90% of other games I played.
I am sure, if you keep it on this path, it will be one of the most iconic, and genre defining games of the last 10-15 years. A true masterpiece.
