A thread on reactivity I posted on reddit and partially here on another thread
https://reddit.com/r/BaldursGate3/s/1MWpsOzyoHSo I posted this on the Larian forums and Im curious if anyone feels the same way about reactivity in general when it comes to the game.
Essentially we are talking about companion responses to your decisions, dialogue, choices etc.
Already this game has decent reactivity and in some cases amazing reactivity. However there are some choices both narratively and gameplay wise I've gotten down to question. My focus will be on the Astarion Romance route but there will be SPOILERS so you have been warned. I also mention some of the reactivity I have experimented with in Act 3 in general.
This is probably not a new topic but hey figured I would post here.
Reactivity as a whole in Act 1 is great. We have the need to establish characterization of companions and thus its also really needed in the gameplay. Its when we start getting into Act 2 that things start to wind down. I wonder if this is because so much of it is focused on Shadowheart and her story that the priority of the other companions sort of just centers on romance/ pieces to link to Act 3. Either way it starts to decline.
**Act 2:**
\- You will start seeing beyond the interactions with Raphael, the decline of reactivity. Its still great but it gets less and less throughout towards the end of Act 2.
\- I would really think that the Necromancy of Thay would be more impactful in general but in particular in Act 2 it could have been expanded - I was surprised we had to wait until Act 3 to unlock it further
**Act 3**
\- I have issues with the way the Cazador Quest was framed (I expected a large spy/ intrigue/ ball sort of plot and then perhaps the descent into the defiled temple at the end. Would have allowed alot more interaction, depth, and inside look at how the coven operates or how Cazador operates. Cazador was a bit of a letdown gameplay wise and just depth of this horrible villain we have seen enshadow Astarion's life.)
\- The resolutions presented - Ascended, Not Ascended - it does feel like full vampire should be an option but I understand why not - it would per DnD lore have the same emotional outcome as the ascended route
\- Romantically the forced turn or break up is still a bit frustrating but understandable lore wise
\-Necromancy of Thay turns into a MacGuffin. Though the spell is great, there is zero impact on Astarion's development, story, or outcome from unlocking this. Its basically a more complex Easter egg. I really wish we had I don't know either looked into True Resurrection or ask the \*famous Wizard that keeps visiting Gale\* to arrange for us to get a wish spell or \*Strong arm Raphael into a deal over killing him in his House of Hope\*.
These are just the plot convenient choices. If a cure is not intended for this story (and that's a totally legitimate artistic choice) - then please treat it with gravitas. Lets have a more detailed approach to this impact for the non ascended route (which ties into this ending points below)
\- I feel like the Durge playthrough with Ascended is probably the most powerful, as is the Durge resist with Astarion - it honestly feels more fleshed out and complete with more tender moments and care/reactivity. I strongly suggest fans to create a Durge character for this reason for this romance.
**Post Personal Quest towards Final Battle**
\- Reactivity came to a complete standstill for the Non Ascended Astarion. its actually a bit of a shame because his responses get limited and if you are a Durge and finish your quest well - thats it for reactivity.
\- You \*might\* get more party banter if you switch around companions and run around the city (which I did actually to see what would trigger) and then thats it.
\- The lack off reactivity and diversity of lines in non Ascended Astarion makes such a nuanced character very flat. Especially when we compare the more varied reactions coming from Ascended Astarion. Does Non Ascended just - stop being opinionated? Sassy? Honestly it feels like his personality just goes which is really frustrating considering how full circle it is for him to reject the cycle of abuse.
\- Its interesting that they chose to have you click on characters after major quests and plots to see if there is a reaction. That's pretty much all you can do is randomly click on them at camp or in group to see if they react. This is separate from the exclamation marks - You can manually trigger dialogue when it gets to later in game. But if you miss it, you miss it for good.
\- I really expected a more emotive reaction to my Durge resisting in the end- and also the lack of reaction/ animation or cutscene from my love interest \*When I die\* - again narratively and emotionally missed opportunity.
**Before and At the Final Battle**
\- Generally - there should have been a larger pre battle camp cutscene or reactivity from all your companions. One last night (again could have been a great opportunity to keep the relationship pieces going. I know Larian said they wanted to develop these relationships but that really came to an end in Act 3 very early).
\- The High Hall scene could have also had more reactivity as well - including having the \*Other companions who are not even in your group\*. Where's the rest of the people I recruited? having beers at the Elfsong as the world comes to an end? (Actually I could see that happening)
\- Astarion specific - There could have been some really powerful cutscenes with him (or any romantic interest) in the final battle that allowed more impact emotionally
**His Ending - Literally Running away from the Sunrise**
**- The complete gravitas of this story is ruined with this ending. There. I said it.**
\- The platonic dock ending is a horrible and tone deaf joke for all the reasons outlined. I have no idea what they were thinking considering that this is a very relatable story for trauma survivors. Even if you Romance him and get this scene, to not allow you to comfort him in the shadows, or at least have reactions from companions that arent heartless - I again have no idea why this was written this way.
\- The priority of who speaks at the dock scene desperately needs to be changed (or code created to weight who speaks based on flags) - it should go - Romance flag, party taken flag, then high approval flag, and then if the spaces for dialogue are left then whoever is left in the party
\-Obviously there needs to be better epilogues in general - and a post ending celebration for the endings that its relevant for. This has been said ad nauseum
**Astarion specific Ending - Romantic "Epilogue"**
\- Very limited emotional impact, the dialogue seems very stiff in a way? Not a slag on Neil at all, I think its the writing. No kiss, no passion, no last night with romantic interest. Again this can tie very nicely with the party I mentioned earlier.
\-The Durge ending where you decide to "end things yourself" - I have heard there's no reactivity to that because well either Ascended Astarion doesn't care (or there's no scene) or the Sunlight run off means he doesnt get to see that I suppose? Its awkward to say the least.
**\*Suggestion for an Actual Epilogue\***
\- Please reflect the actual player choices from the previous "epilogue" (which isnt one really, its just a separate ending if you look at it properly). This means either a 6 month reunion, ending cards, something. Would I love it to be cinematic? Sure! Can it be given the timeframe it takes for roll out? Probably not and thats fine.
As you can see I have some pretty strong opinions as a whole on this character and how things were handled. Overall Act 1 and Act 2 create a beautiful story and even the solid parts of Act 3 and the personal quest completion (that scene and voice acting at the end once you defeat Cazador! Brilliant). I think theres just some points that need to be expanded and filled in, and others that need an overhaul.
I've also included my general suggestions on reactivity above as well for companions overall. There is a VERY good chance that since we discovered Minthara's lines are so bugged, perhaps these are too? Something to consider for future patches.
