Baldur’s Gate 3 PS5: Forging the Epic RPG Legacy of 2023!
It’s only September and 2023 has already secured its place as one of the best gaming years in recent history. So far, we’ve seen the release of over a dozen exciting games. We finally got to play the decade-long awaited sequel to Blizzard Entertainment’s classic series, Diablo. Capcom also blessed us with the highly anticipated Street Fighter 6, EA Sports capitalized on the ongoing Formula One frenzy with the release of F1 23, and after 8 long years in development, Bethesda Softworks’ Starfield was released to massive critical and commercial success.
But despite the heavily stacked year, one particular title has managed to stand out from the crowd, Baldur’s Gate 3. In just a month since its PC release and days since PS5 release, Larian Studios’ RPG based on the classic Dungeons & Dragons has completely stunned the gaming world and is currently on track to become one of the greatest RPG creations of all time.
The PS5 version was released on 6 September 2023 and already has a 97 rating on Metacritic. Here, we’ll delve into why Baldur’s Gate 3 is the best RPG of the year and why critics are calling it the new pinnacle of the genre.
The Making Baldur’s Gate 3
Plans for a sequel to the 1998 classic Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn began over two decades ago, with Black Isle Studios announcing Baldur’s Gate III: The Black Hound in 2002. However, the studio faced a significant financial crisis that led to its closing and the game being canceled.
Larian Studios indicated a solid interest in picking up the sequel in 2014 but only got the green light in 2017. The game was formally announced in 2019, with tabletop adventure Baldur’s Gate: Descent Into Avernus released as an unofficial prequel.
The early access to the game with up to 25 hours playing time and 20% of the world map, was released in October 2020. Other features were added over time to the early access version while development continued. The full version was released in August 2023 for PC players.
Baldur’s Gate 3 has become more accessible to newcomers in the genre. For those whose only experience with D&D is through their fathers, a significant issue arises – dice. The fact is that in the game, the outcome of dice rolls is influenced by both randomness and the additional characteristics of the characters. It’s precisely because of this that many newcomers to the series start comparing this “randomness” to casino games. On one hand, there is some truth to it, but on the other hand, if we take real casinos as an example, such as those presented on the website Kasynos Online, you’ll notice that their “randomness” is government licensed and cannot be influenced from the outside. Therefore, it’s somewhat ironic that the “randomness” in a real casino is more honest than what is sometimes encountered in Baldur’s Gate 3. Sending regards to the critical failures in dialogues with +10 modifiers in eloquence.
Why Baldur’s Gate 3 is the Best RPG Game of 2023
Many gamers have been absolutely thrilled by this new game. Here are some reasons why Baldur’s Gate 3 has stunned the world and marked its place in history.
1. Engaging Story and Lore
Baldur’s Gate 3 is based on the 5th-edition Dungeons & Dragons rule set with minor tweaks necessary for its adaptation to the screen. At the start of the game, you can choose between six origin characters with unique questlines or pick a blank character and create your own path. Basically, your character and other characters too, have been captured by mind flayers (the bad guys), and parasites have been implanted into your brain. Your aim is to purge your head of these parasites before you turn into a monster yourself. Sounds simple enough right? But trust us, there’s more.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is separated into three highly detailed Acts. In the first act, you escape the enemy’s ship and crash at Faerûn, where you find other survivors who are victims of the implantation. Together, you explore different avenues for a cure and encounter a goblin priestess serving the Absolute, Halsin, Ethel, and several other creatures who unfortunately can’t provide a cure.
Your character then proceeds to the Emerald Grove, where druids and refuges are fighting off goblin hordes. Your party can either save or destroy the grove; whichever you choose, you’ll be given an itinerary to reach Moonrise Towers, where there’s a potential cure. There are different routes to the Moonrise Towers, and you’ll have to overcome different challenges and enemies to reach there.
In the second Act, your party has arrived at Moonrise Towers, which was once a peaceful land but is now under the spell of a sentient and unnatural darkness that requires magic to penetrate. Your party, with help from refugees in a tavern in the cursed lands, navigates Moonrise Towers in search of Nightwing and the truth behind General Ketheric Thorm. The overarching goal of this Act is to defeat the general and his cohorts and break the curse on Moonrise Towers.
The final Act brings the game to an epic end and is set in two locations; the central district of Baldur’s Gate and the outlying suburb of Rivington. Your party will have to fight against the enemy’s manipulations, find closure for their personal quests, face off against the Chosen of the Dead Three, gather netherstones, and subdue the Elder Brain with a tough decision waiting at the end.
2. Deep Character Creation and Customization
With Baldur’s Gate 3, you can be anybody you want to be. There are over 40 subclasses, 16 races, and 500 spells to explore. The game allows you to pick any of the six named characters with all having their own unique abilities and plot lines. If you choose to pick a blank character, build it, and create your adventure, the other named characters will form your party.
The game uses a tactical turn-based combat system to make fights more strategic and interesting, especially with friends.
3. Immersive World and Stunning Visuals
Built with the groundbreaking Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 allows players to explore and interact with a world filled with endless possibilities. The game has been praised for his incredible attention to detail with the map blessed with a wide array of stunning locations worth visiting. From the richly detailed Baldur’s Gate City to the grand Wyrm’s Crossing and then the sacred Druid Grove, the beauty is timeless.
The Bottom Line
Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5 is the game everyone is talking about now. Both players and critics can’t seem to get enough of it, and we can hardly blame them. It’s been a while since we witnessed a game that checks all the boxes of a classic RPG hit. From its engaging plots and side quests to its immersive open world, stunning visuals, and in-depth character customization, Baldur’s Gate 3 has everything you’d want in a PS5 RPG and more.
