This week, I started BALDUR’S GATE 3. I’ve been talking about it for a while and my youngest daughter’s been after me to try it since she completed the game months ago. But I was hesitant because I knew it would take a lot of time and attention, so I wanted to finish a few smaller games and a summer vacation first.
I was also hesitant because I don’t typically enjoy 3rd-person party-management turn-based tactical combat games. The only two games I’ve ever played that are remotely similar to BALDUR’S GATE 3 are GreedFall and Gems of War.
Read my thoughts after completing GreedFall
It doesn’t help that I haven’t played Dungeons & Dragons in about 25 years. I played a little bit of a watered-down version with my kids about 10-12 years ago, but “back in my day” we didn’t have Druids, Barbarians, Warlocks, Paladins or Sorcerers, let alone all the related subclasses, feats, new races like Tieflings, Dragonborn and Gnomes, and other 5th edition complexities.
BALDUR’S GATE 3 graphics are amazing, the game is interesting, the voice acting is really good, and I can see why it won so many awards. But, so far, every session feels like I’m back in college, there’s so much to learn. I don’t think I would’ve stuck with it if it weren’t for my daughter’s help and tips from my viewers during livestreams.
My character is a half wood elf druid, which is the most popular race but one of the least popular classes, according to developer Larian Studios. Join me on YouTube to see where the adventure takes her.
BALDUR’S GATE 3 is available on PC, macOS, PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S. It is rated “M” for mature audiences 17+ due to blood and gore, partial nudity, sexual content, strong language and violence.
~ J.L. Hilton
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