Baldur's Gate 3 took one common Dungeons & Dragons campaign trope and completely threw it out the window, much to the game's benefit. Of course, Baldur's Gate 3 feels, in many ways, like a D&D campaign that players can play either on their own or with their friends, and, considering the game's connection to Dungeons & Dragons, it's only natural that it features plenty of the tabletop giant's tropes. At the same time, Baldur's Gate 3 forges its own path, and it's hard to deny that the game starts with a bang.
As, arguably, the best game for Dungeons & Dragons lovers on the market, Baldur's Gate 3 brings most of the key elements of D&D to video game form quite successfully. Players have most of the playable classes at their disposal, and they have access to many of the tabletop game's races when they are creating a character. Baldur's Gate 3 also manages to incorporate other mechanics, like combat rounds, saving throws, and rests, in an effective manner, and it is essentially the definitive Dungeons & Dragons video game.
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Baldur's Gate 3's Intro is More Action-Packed Than a Typical D&D Campaign Start
Starting In a Tavern Is a Dungeons & Dragons Classic
One of the more well-known ways for players to start a Dungeons & Dragons campaign is by having the party meet in a tavern or an inn. It's a setup that's so familiar that it's been the source of parody. However, it does make a lot of sense. In fantasy settings, taverns and inns are pretty popular among townsfolk and travelers alike, and it's not difficult to imagine a group of adventurers meeting there. This may be a cliche, but it is a common setup for a reason. To this day, plenty of D&D adventures get their start in a tavern.
Baldur's Gate 3 Throws Players Straight Into the Action
Baldur's Gate 3 goes the complete opposite direction with its intro. Upon starting Baldur's Gate 3, the player is immediately thrust into a dramatic intro sequence aboard the Nautiloid, a Mind Flayer-controlled ship. The game wastes no time getting into the action, with a tense situation and the first combat sessions and puzzles coming quickly. As a result, players don't have to wait long to start learning about the game's mechanics and putting that knowledge into action. The prologue on the Nautiloid makes sure that Baldur's Gate 3 gets started on an exciting note.
Baldur's Gate 3's Prologue Teaches Players the Ropes Quickly
The Nautiloid prologue is perfect for what Baldur's Gate 3 demands. While a good DM can ease players into a D&D campaign with a slow introduction during which they can interact with each other in-character, a video game is a different environment. It's good to introduce a player to the game's hook quickly in order to ensure that they get invested. In tabletop D&D, that hook is roleplaying with friends, while Baldur's Gate 3 relies on its own story and gameplay to keep players' attention. In that sense, each style of introduction is perfect for their respective mediums.
The prologue on the Nautiloid makes sure that Baldur's Gate 3 gets started on an exciting note.
Baldur's Gate 3 avoided a common D&D trope, and in the process it ended up with an amazing prologue. At their cores, Baldur's Gate 3 and Dungeons & Dragons aim to give players similar experiences by immersing them in a fantastical world. While Baldur's Gate 3's prologue was designed to match its medium, it wouldn't be a surprise if some DMs adapted similar approaches to start their own campaigns. The tavern start is a classic D&D standby. However, Baldur's Gate 3 showed that a radically different approach can also lead to enjoyable adventures.
Baldur's Gate 3
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- 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.
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
- Genre(s)
- RPG
