BG3's Orbit Will Be Hard for Future Larian Studios Games to…

Summary

Baldur's Gate 3 set a high standard for RPGs with fully voiced dialogue, player choice, and branching narratives.
Larian Studios faces the challenge of meeting fan expectations or taking a different creative approach post-BG3 success.
Other studios like Owlcat Games and Obsidian Entertainment must navigate the pressure to match BG3's narrative scope.

Baldur's Gate 3 did more than just succeed. It shattered expectations, turning a classic franchise revival into one of the most celebrated games of the decade. With over 15 million copies sold and widespread acclaim, it set a new standard not only for Larian Studios but for the entire CRPG genre.

This success has created an unavoidable legacy. Whether Larian tries to chase it, evolve beyond it, or deliberately do something different, the long shadow of Baldur's Gate 3 will follow. Players and critics alike will measure any future project against it, even if the comparison is unfair.

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By Grace Black

Baldur's Gate 3 Set a High Bar

Baldur's Gate 3 wasn't just commercially dominant; it reshaped what players expect from a role-playing game. Fully voiced dialogue, layered companion relationships, meaningful player choice, and cinematic presentation all helped it stand apart. In particular, its branching narrative structure created room for unexpected decisions that could reshape entire storylines. For example, allowing players to side with Minthara or challenge her early on became a defining fork with long-term consequences.

For Larian Studios, this creates a creative dilemma. It could continue with a similar approach to meet fan expectations, or it could shift to an entirely different format. Repeating the same structure might provide a sense of familiarity, but could also cause fatigue. Taking a new direction might surprise fans, especially those who now associate Larian with the Baldur's Gate 3 formula.

Larian has confirmed it will not create DLC or direct sequels for Baldur's Gate 3. The studio’s latest patch update hints that they consider the game is complete.

Future Larian Games Will Invite Comparisons

Even before Larian announces its next game, players are speculating. Every detail, from screenshots to gameplay hints, will likely be viewed through the lens of Baldur's Gate 3. If the game includes party-based combat, it will be compared to BG3's tactical depth. If it introduces new companions, many will ask whether they match the emotional complexity of characters like Astarion or Shadowheart.

This creates pressure for the studio. Any lapse in character development, writing quality, or world-building could be interpreted as a step down. Larian might choose to continue developing character-driven stories, but apply those skills in a new setting. A shift away from fantasy could create enough space for new expectations to form.

Some fans are already anticipating another fantasy epic, namely the sequel to Divinity: Original Sin 2. However, a move into science fiction or historical fiction would help Larian distance its next project from Baldur’s Gate 3. The studio could carry over its storytelling strengths without inviting constant comparisons.

Despite the weight of Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian has proven adaptable. Before Divinity: Original Sin 2, the studio had never made a turn-based RPG of that scale either.

Not Just Larian: Others Face the Pressure Too

Larian is not the only studio navigating the impact of Baldur's Gate 3. Any developer who works on a future Baldur’s Gate game or attempts a CRPG with strong narrative elements will face close attention. A potential Baldur's Gate 4 from another studio would need to deliver something new while living up to the high expectations set by Larian.

Studios like Owlcat Games, creators of Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, and Obsidian Entertainment, known for Pillars of Eternity, may feel motivated to match BG3’s scope. Features like cinematic dialogue, deep companion arcs, and meaningful decision-making will likely become new benchmarks. However, simply copying the surface elements without understanding their deeper role could result in shallow experiences.

By choosing not to follow up Baldur’s Gate 3 with DLC or a sequel, Larian is making a clear statement. The studio wants to move forward, not linger. That creative independence may ultimately allow it to grow, even if the world continues to view its next project through a Baldur’s Gate 3 lens.

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OpenCritic Reviews: Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%

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Released: August 3, 2023
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s): Larian Studios
Publisher(s): Larian Studios
Engine: Divinity 4.0
Multiplayer: Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play: Full cross-platform play.

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Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.

THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.

A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian's next-generation RPG engine.