To contrast BG3, there have been conversations where I straight up didn't have an option to say something that I thought would fit my character.
May I ask, what do you think the difference is? Why is it the way it is?
I am asking because I don’t see BG3 doing anything that I would consider as against cRPG design. I agree with you, but I think it is more of the result of BG3 low narrative priority, then design itself. Gameplay wise, what is it about BG3 which makes it less of a cRPG? PC having limited, flat and arbitrary dialogue options doesn’t in my opinion make BG3 less of a cRPG - just not a very good one. Origin doesn’t make BG3 less of a cRPG - it’s just jack of all trades design choice that provides weaker content in place where cRPGs (or RPGs in case of DA :-P) tended to excel at. And stronger content in case of coop (let’s give credit where credit is due).
I think it's not that I feel BG3 isn't a crpg, I'd say that it is, I just think it's lackluster one, as you've sort of said. My feeling is that if BG3 counts as a crpg with flaws and different priorities, then I don't see what's so radically different about DA:O that moves it into a different category. I'm very hesitant to start stating what is and isn't a crpg because I'm pretty inexperienced I feel. I've never played the original baldur's gate games (I bought the enhanced editions on sale and will probably play them when I'm done with BG3) Neverwinter nights and Icewind dale, with their apparent multiplayer focus put me off very much, I've never played planescape or any of the truly classic crpgs, so I'm aware that I lack a lot of context for this discussion.
Bg1 and 2 are a completly different feel to nwn
I recently smashed threw bg1 and 2 again on my switch, was actually an amazing experience controls are great only problem is you cant mod it.
But i love old games.
I recently played threw the first final fantasy on steam
Id never played it, but i love ff 7 9 and 10 and wanted to see the original, finshing the game i actually felt really emotional, experiencing for the first time the origin of something so massive even today.
For that reason alone id recommend smashing the baldur's gate games, im jealous you get to experience them for the first time
Thinking about candlekeep makes me want to visit again.
