Baldur's Gate 3 | A Newcomer's Review

[@Sunseyki]

For me the fact that there are so many camp locations is amazing. It feels like I'm actually there, and I'm camping in the wild, or in some moldy, old and ancient dungeon. It's so cool!

[@beardcrafts]

I couldn’t believe how many amazing camp locations there were. Some in between areas you wouldn’t expect a unique camp, boom!

[@FoxBatinaHat]

This was a suggestion made in Early access. So they created location specific camps to add immersion. Yw. Onky problem are romancre scenes break this. Astarion is alwats in a forest. Reguardless if we're in the underdark. Lol

[@acavaglia]

@@beardcraftsin act 3 you get to stay in an Hotel xD

[@beardcrafts]

@@acavaglia 😂😂

[@weeznaz8195]

Wow, I think it’s cool now that there are a number of campsites, the very first time I saw a new campsite I nearly shit myself because I didn’t know where my yellow box was. Lol.

[@heckinCHONK]

Excellent review. It's crazy how this game wasn't even on my radar then turned out to be perhaps my favorite game this year. An absolute masterpiece.

[@beardcrafts]

Could not agree more. Planned to put 0 hours in and now I’m up to about 175 lol

[@badger297]

I went from not knowing this game was even a thing, to selling my Xbox and buying a ps5 in anticipation of this game, in like a 10 day period. Now, im like 125 hrs in on my first character. This is possibly the best game I've ever played, and I've been gaming a long time

[@patrioticbat]

It went from not being on my radar to being the best game I've played in my life

[@vohbovohborian28]

The hit % chances are accurate, but humans are notoriously bad at understanding stochastics

[@beardcrafts]

I don’t math good, Coach.

[@Carsonbuffett]

What a great extensive review of Balder’s Gate! This offers some good advice for how to start BG3 as well!

[@Ricc___]

Such a great review. This is my first baldurs gate game and I can’t wait to dig deeper.

[@beardcrafts]

@@Ricc___ one of the best games I’ve ever played.

[@starrychan33]

This is seriously the best /role playing/ game I have ever played. The characters are so well written that once you have a good grasp on them you can imagine them in almost any other scenario and have a good idea about how they would act

[@beardcrafts]

Couldn’t agree more. 100% my game of the year and I hope it takes it at the Game Awards!

[@AuramiteEX]

I've played this on both PC and PS5. The controller actually works really well and is more fun to play.

[@beardcrafts]

I appreciate that input. The radial menus looked overwhelming and most people I know said it was a pain. But I might have to give it a try to at least check it out.

[@AuramiteEX]

@@beardcrafts yes they can be a mess and they require some TLC. Just like the inventory lol

[@ivanvasiliyvich9745]

I've been playing on PC, but with a controller so I can play on my couch and I have to say the controls are good, especially since you can move your characters with the sticks, but inventory management is the weakest part of controller play. That being said, it's the first crpg I've played on a controller so maybe there are some hidden options I don't know about.

[@beardcrafts]

@@ivanvasiliyvich9745 the convenience and feel of controller, definitely was enticing. I can say now, I have played with a controller and it’s not as bad as I thought. But I just save inventory management until I’m at my desk lol

[@thepurge7964]

I much prefer controller now. My first playthrough was mouse and keyboard the whole way, and I tried to use the controller at one point in Act 3 and was overwhelmed. Starting over from scratch with the controller, I learned to love it. The mouse and keyboard UI feels intrusive by comparison, imo. Being able to see the world when I'm exploring or scanning the battlefield, and then being able to call up the radials when I want to interact with the world feels good. I also love that I scan around for items instead of meticulously pixel-hunting with the mouse. I can't go back. The inventory actually feels easier to manage with controller for me now.

[@brucebrantley5692]

When it comes to spell slots, there is a plethora of scrolls to be found in the game. There are also potions that grant extra spell slots. I am an AD&D guy, so many of the new D&D things are new to me too. I am currently on my 3rd playthrough, and I am still amazed at things that I never experienced before, despite playing the same style.

[@beardcrafts]

I’ve discovered over my time that Larian really wants you to guide your own tutorial experience and I love that, even when I thought I hated it lol. Figuring out ways around limited spell slots and not just camping has been a rewarding challenge. Scrolls, potions, and elixirs were truly a saving grace. I feel I learn something new every time I play, and there just aren’t games like this.

[@Locutus47]

The story of Baldur's Gate is basically as old as the pen and paper / D&D universe itself. Since the first Baldur's Gate was released, it has almost single-handedly transported the pen and paper feeling into the digital world. BG2 has made it even more extensive and a bit more interesting. Since then, many games have tried to put this feeling into their own projects. We basically all know them. Skyrim, Witcher, etc. One studio that discovered the feature of consequences for itself was the young studio Quantic Dream. With Fahrenheit, the sequels Heavy Rain, beyond two souls and finally Detroit Become Human. So many different ways to tell your own story where certain people can die right at the beginning. With Skyrim, it was the variety and design of the avatar. And of course to some extent the story too. The world feels tangible and comprehensible. And now, over 20 years later, after 3 years of Early Access, the long-awaited Baldur's Gate 3 is coming out. What I (we) had hoped for was actually the same as in BG2, only with more story and interesting characters and, of course, enormous freedom of choice. What we didn't think, however, was that Larian Studios had overdone it in every phase of what was humanly possible, to the point that it leaves you speechless after the first 10 hours. Wow, even the Early Access phase doesn't even come close to doing the finished product justice. I can't find the words to describe how deeply grateful I am personally to be able to consume something like this. In times of spectacular disasters and the worst games ever released, BG3 stands out so much from the crowd that you can't ignore it. KZbin, Instagram, Twitter, Metacritic, every platform agrees. BG3 The Best F... Game of The Year. And I for one am glad that there are people out there like Naughty Dog, From Software and Larian Studios who still dare to do something and produce games for gamers and not primarily for the shareholders. And what have we learned from games like BG3? Well, that you just need a leader in steel armor who runs around the studio the whole time and motivates his employees to do the same. Please Larian, don't lose your fire like Blizzard or Activision. Because then you'll quickly end up in the top 10 worst games on Steam and who wants that? I'm happy to be able to consume content like this and I'm excited to see what else Larian will conjure up. Fill me with magic and take me with you wherever it may lead. Love lots of love and a 12/10 for the best adventure in my gaming history. 180 hours for one RUN btw.

[@tudeslildude]

Your right about the use of DnD math as something potentially holding the game back. Although I think it works well enough for BG3 that it's not a big deal, at the end of the day DnD math and balancing centres around one thing, simplicity. Everything in DnD needs to be simple enough people can calculate stuff on the fly with minimal effort. This is an area where video games excel, as the math can all be done behind the scenes without the player needing to know. Don't get me wrong, having a bunch of stats and skills is great, but having them used in such limited way takes away from the types of experiences games can offer. End of the day, I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with making a DnD game like BG3. I just wouldn't want too much of the industry to start relying on it as a crunch either.

[@beardcrafts]

Agreed. 189 hours in and still playing, still in love. So while it’s not my personal favorite, it by no means held the game back. But I’ll enjoy my dip into the pond and go back to my basic rng experiences after this lol

[@ItsRinRin_TTV]

Your eloquent explanations do such an amazing job of making this game feel so much more approachable, and I really appreciate your honest review (and I loved the Swedish Chef reference 😂).

[@beardcrafts]

Had to do it to em lol

[@ervinaspetrauskas1716]

when it comes to wizards, warlocs and so on i have no experience with DnD, but going to co-op and doing 2nd playthrough and having gale i ended up focusing on getting scrolls i might use with them

[@beardcrafts]

I really need to utilize Gale. My second playthrough, my Dark Urge co-op partner made him leave forever 😂

[@ervinaspetrauskas1716]

i did that with my 1st playthrough cause i didn't notice that i need to feed some magical equipment to him

[@FoxBatinaHat]

% is accurate on a dice-rolling system (d20). Just keep in mind DC (difficulty) 10 is a 50/50. Any bonuses you have, or AC/Saves of your foe changes % by 5. Its the (range) of number rolls to succeed. Not the success chances themselves. Even with advantage the %-chance can be low. A 95%-success range still fails on a natural 1. It litterally is a 5% chance to roll a 1, on a 20-sided dice.

[@beardcrafts]

This is exactly my point. I have no DnD experience and needed to seek that information out to better understand accuracy (or lack thereof) lol it’s not inherently bad, just didn’t feel fun in a vidja game

[@marconeves1979]

BG3 is the GOAT of RPGs, and perhaps transcends videogaming in general. It's brilliant ART. A masterpiece for the ages. Edited for emphasis :D

[@beardcrafts]

Couldn’t agree more with it transcending video games. It’s high art of the digital era unlike we’ve seen. Both in execution by the creators, and the agency and perspectives offered to the audience. It’s a love letter to interdisciplinary media.

[@marconeves1979]

@@beardcrafts Yes, perfectly said. :)

[@wraitheory]

"Tom-Cruising on the couch," is my new favorite description. If I misspelled that last name, don't @ me; don't care.

[@castanzofranzman2013]

@ You got it right

[@AngladaFrankFrankyvape]

When did Dungeon & Dragons was infamous? In the 80s? As for now it is very famous with tons of celebrities streaming their games.

[@beardcrafts]

Definitely meant it more synonymously with fabled! It’s very famous and I don’t think anyone would dispute that lol

[@kingscrub3386]

Im in the process of building a PC and this game is going to be one of if not the first game i buy and download when its all built and said and done.

[@beardcrafts]

Cannot wait for you to experience it. Truly one of the best games of the generation.

[@VioletPurpleLavender]

Loved your review. Very thorough & explanatory.

[@kaechup]

I already know this game isn’t for me just from the gameplay I’ve seen but I really appreciated the many different aspects you covered that could really make or break someone trying this game for themselves. You hit every facet.

[@gabriellekili2977]

I am curious what about the gameplay you know is not for you if you have not played? No judgment just curiosity. I find the combat my least favorite part of the game, but it is better imo then a lot of games where you either just button mash and whoever mashes faster wins or a complex system of buttons moves potions bombs oils stances ect that take 3 months and a manual the size of the bible to learn. It does not hold your hand and it makes you wait your turn, but it gives you basically the freedom to do anything you want ANYTHING. I have punted people off ledges to kill them I have burned them alive I have blown them up I have frozen and shattered them heck I even saved an animal being beaten and said animal killed them for me. I will take that freedom over most combat in games even if I do not like combat that much and am here for the story.

[@kaechup]

@@gabriellekili2977 I’ve watched tens of hours of gameplay live on stream. It’s just not my style. I avoid combat entirely when gaming if I can help it because of my anxiety disorder. There’s also too much to manage with regards to inventory, leveling, etc. that would overwhelm me easily. I’m definitely a no-frills gamer and this game stresses me out (albeit I do enjoy watching the story play out, even when I don’t understand every aspect of it).

[@badger297]

​@kaechup I can understand that perspective. This game can be alot. As someone who's been playing apex, battlefield and COD like games for the last 10 years, I didn't think I would even finish the game. While the inventory and systems management can be daunting, there's just so much here. And if you truly are someone who likes to try to avoid combat entirely, there's probably never been a better game to flex that kind of play style. I'm 125 hrs in on my first character, and all I can think about is what to do on my next run. Also, I find the game can be as simple or as complicated as I want it to be. There's so many accessibility options, and if you just don't loot every single thing, and play in a more conservative way, the game will adapt to that so to speak. Even if its not typically your kind of game (it's not mine either) I'd recommend trying it eventually. It's one of the best gaming experiences I've ever had. Right there with Mas effect 2

[@kaechup]

@@badger297 This is super good feedback - thank you for really taking what I noted and reflecting on it. I appreciate it. Maybe one day when I have a reliable PC setup or a PS5, I’ll take the dive. Doesn’t hurt to try, that’s for sure.

[@yoshimeier3060]

The radial manuals were a bit clunky at first but you get very used to it quickly. Keyboard is a little quicker in most cases but having played alot with both I can sad both options are good.

[@Noblesquire]

I play with controller on Xbox, and I can tell you it's actually one of the better put together control scheme for console that I've seen. It's really easy.

[@beardcrafts]

Since this review, I have played with a controller and I didn’t mind it! I’m a console player primarily, but I got this on pc as it wasn’t out on console yet! Glad you’re enjoying it!

[@TerribleTom113]

Only in BG3 are the lovable animal companions also "loveable" animal companions. 😏😂

[@beardcrafts]

😂😂😂

[@CStelTV]

Great review, thanks!

[@TechnicalTyler]

I respect your factually incorrect opinion about controllers in this game. I’m mostly kidding but the control system for controllers is extremely well done, better than anybody would’ve ever expected from this game

[@zoranhorvat8284]

‚I LOVE this game, but I too experienced memory "leaks", as you call it, and it takes about one to two hours of gameplay! It is annoying, but restarting my game and the PC always works as fix! But I firmly believe that Larian will fix that, knowing their commitment to their fan base! And yes, patch 4 is out, but I didn't try it yet, so maybe the problem doesn't exists anymore, who knows!

[@thepurge7964]

If you want a very similar game with better spellcaster fantasy, I highly recommend checking out Larian's last game, Divinity Original Sin 2. 😁

[@beardcrafts]

I’ve been told it’s phenomenal! Might have to crack into it!

[@shortstuff780]

Hot take... I hated the game playing on keyboard and mouse. The camera angles and click to move felt bad. But the moment I turned my Xbox controller on, it was perfect! In combat I touch my keyboard and use it to fight more precisely When navigating and exploring the world I click A twice on my controller and it automatically reconnects. The connectivity between controller and k&m is ridiculously great

[@beardcrafts]

Since making this review, I’ve learned from a lot of people, and this is less of a hot take than my own haha it seems controller is far more regarded than m&k. I’ve since played with a controller and the radials are better than expected, but inventory management still kind of irks me, but overall a clean experience!!

[@acavaglia]

This is a D&D focused game so blame WoTC for that xD(Baldur's Gate is an historical game based on D&D originally so Larian didn't have really any chance to neglet the system and on the plus side ... Well Faerun is a world created for D&D and Baldur's Gate is a big city in it so ... again not much of a choice here)! About the feel of too few spellsslots i feel the same and for that i use them mainly for utilities and some minor stuff, the core of the combat for me it's martial. You guess it? Yes there is a BUT coming You can always long rest to replanish your magic resources like after every encounter and food to consume is not an issue even on tactician where you consume 80 instead of 40 each day so, i belive issue solved About the "miss" train it's a common issue that you can overcome in various ways but you are incorrect when you say "The game doesn't tell you why" because there is a combat log for that(on the right of your UI there is a yellow button to open it) and ... well yes is a bit nerdy to go through all those stuff and the feel is not really great on a first look but it provide all that you need for your "understanding what's happening" even tho not quite for how to avoid that "miss" train alltogether. Guess what? another BUT indeed ... But if you read a bit your statistics and the combat log you see for example that you roll a D20 and you did a poor result, then you add your casting modifier (in case of wizard is inteligence, charisma for sorc, bard., paladin and warlock, wisdom for clerick, druid and rangers) for example if you are casting a spell that require attack roll then you add your proficencyy bonus and so on so you can find some stuff that put your character in a better position by increasing those numbers or you get advantage(so you get to roll twice and get the best result!) or you are poisoned (so you have disadvantage, well yes you still get to roll twice but you choose the worst one ... very sad) or you have a dislocated shoulder(still disadvantage on some roll) and so on. Just use some equip/spell to overcome the most part and your witz for the rest and you are good to go! I'm on my 3rd playthrough and i just did the final fight of act 2 in 3 turns without taking a scratch ... all with proper builds, positioning and itemization ... and some luck but that count until it doesn't ;)

[@sapinta]

Food was initially more challenging, since you couldn't consume the one you sent to camp directly from your chest, you had to retrieve it first, and the chest isn't available everywhere. As it is now, it's just an annoying mechanic. You don't have to keep food on you, so it doesn't keep room and weight in your inventory, it's everywhere, seriously there is so much food in crates and barrels it's crazy, so it's not challenging being well supplied, you'll never have to buy food in your game. I can't see the point of adding a mechanic like thin in a game. It would be different if they implemented recipes and cooking that would give you some effect for your next day too, lasting either all day or till your first short rest, depending on the recipe.

[@acavaglia]

@@sapinta it's a D&D thing i guess. In order to get a full rest you need to consume actual food. So you need to find it but Larian don't want you to struggle with such mechanic so they filled the game with it instead. At least this is my understanding PS: Not being able to consume food from your traveller's chest was a problem, i'm glad i didn't see it xD

[@sapinta]

@@acavaglia there's no mechanic of huntingor whatever for providing for food, so might as well just have it in your chest without needing to right click on the one in the map a d send it to camp. The mechanic is literally just right click on it and send to camp. It's worse than those fetching herbs quests in jrpg.

[@acavaglia]

@@sapinta Whart's the matter? i do it all the time with various type of things. The food is no different to me and i'm quite accustom to it, from previous CRPG i played, so in the end it's not a big deal But i understand someone may not like it and ... you know, there is a mod for almost everything and there is 1 for this matter too, well sort of. It increase the carry capacity to an insane value so you can just forget all stuff in your inventory and be happy xD

[@sapinta]

@@acavaglia what bothers me is that when it was first introduced it was a small mechanic that introduced some minor stuff you had to pay attention to. Sure it wasn't the best mechanic ever invented, but it was in the rules and it had an effect on your playstyle, so it was OK. Being forced to have food on you was also the only reason why anyone would chose the monkey aspect in barbarian. Now it's just added clicking without meaning, might as well get rid of it or make it a hidden mechanic that rolls in background, like majority of the stuff in this game. Couldn't they give food different minor bonuses and maluses at least like in their previous games? That would have give food some reason to exist. It probably would have made the D&D fanboys go mad though. cheating on carry capacity would NOT make me happy, LOL. It's a mechanic that make sense, it depends on your stats and qualities, so it's actual role playing, why on earth would I want to get rid of it? I'd rather get a mod that would autofill your travel chest with food and auto click all the confirmation windows so you can just click on "rest" to rest.

[@justincampbell5987]

Lets be honest, its 2023. NO ONE is going to be upset about dungeons and dragons getting criticized

[@kohtalainenalias]

Excellent explanations

[@flvbbernvggets]

This is the best game I've ever played, but I wish the spell slots were replaced with turn-based cool downs and source points like DivinityOS2.

[@beardcrafts]

One of my best friends is a huge Divinity OS2 fan and he said the exact same thing. I know this is a Dnd game, but there’s enough creative liberty to the base experience I feel it would work.

[@rooty_rootz]

Sci-fi?

[@beardcrafts]

Whether illitihds are based in science fiction when created for D&D or not, their depiction of magic/tech in BG3 seems totally sci-fi inspired. Just looking at the whole, teleporting space ships and prisons for gith princes in other pockets of space Lol

[@rooty_rootz]

Yeah I can see where you're coming from!@@beardcrafts

[@shanonedwards4251]

Don't understand the radial menu Makes it easier Plus mouse and keyboard is f'ing stupid

[@Walka-bear]

I think when I convinced you to play the Strategy RPG Fire Emblem Three Houses that was the first game you started making your KZbin videos for. Now we’re at the top of the pyramid with the grand mac daddy of CRPGs. I’m so proud 🥲

[@beardcrafts]

Climbed a real mountain on this one. Expected to hate it and it’s now in my top 10 all time favorite games