Thing is, BG3 isn't BG3, its a game that happens to have Baldur's Gate (the city) in it, so far we've had no real implications of tangible proper links to the originals, so whilst I look forward to the story, it doesn't have the same vibes as a true sequel might. Who knows, maybe there will turn out to be a proper tie in to the originals down the line (and I don't mean just to a character like Minsc, but perhaps references to the Bhaalspawn saga etc - but then the issue is you dont import save games etc, so it wouldn't be mine anyway). So ultimately, all i can hope for with BG3, is a good D&D game that plays like D&D that happens to be set in one of my favourite fantasy settings. Take away the D&D element, or jumble it like it currently is, and it really doesn't feel like it was worth the hype based on what I've seen of the story during early access... which is a bit sad.
+1
I'm rolling with a lot of the changes, and I'm keeping an open mind on the later story acts. It was interesting though watching Josh Sawyer's GDC debrief of Pillars of Eternity 1's development though.
You could see all the ways that they tried to evoke the original Infinity Engine games. Just look at the cursors, and UI icons (they apparently got accused of stealing those they were so close). Fans got upset that there weren't item sketches for rare weapons and loot, so they added those in during the expansion. It felt like it was made with love and nostalgia, while still not being afraid to do its own thing in terms of setting, technology, and class mechanics.
I don't know. I think Larian could have done more to evoke the atmosphere of the original games, while still implementing the mechanics they wanted to. But the music, the menus, the UI elements, a lot has been ported over from or inspired by DOS rather than BG.
I wouldn't give up on some level of Bhaalspawn story customisation though. KOTOR 2 let you decide KOTOR 1's protagonist gender and ending through dialogue. It was ham-fisted as hell, but, certain aspects of game design have come a long way since then, so I hold out hope!
