3) Isometric perspective. While 3D promises better environments, I find that 3D environments are actually just thinly hidden tracks with well rendered rails. Part of the formula of BG are the expansive - HAND PAINTED - 2d isometric landscapes. Again, Pillars shows that this can be updated beautifully like with Unity. It is the artistry of those landscapes that contribute to the formula of what BG is.
Where do you get this notion that Baldur's gate 1 & 2 graphics where "hand painted"? They were mostly pre rendered 3D graphics that look very dated today with some copy pasted sprites added and touching up done in Photoshop.
3D allows for very dynamic environments that you can interact with. BG3 also takes advantage of verticality which adds an extra dimension to the combat.
