Summary
- Baldur's Gate 4 should build on the success of BG3 without straying from its roots or character-driven storytelling.
- BG3's compelling characters should return in BG4 to maintain emotional resonance and enhance player experience.
- Creators of BG4 should follow Larian Studios' lead in combining heartfelt storytelling with honoring established lore.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8 has potentially marked a definitive end for this incredibly successful chapter in the franchise’s history. With Baldur’s Gate 3 now firmly established as a modern RPG masterpiece, all eyes are beginning to turn toward what may come next for the franchise. The conclusion of this story doesn’t just signal the end of Larian Studios’ involvement, but opens the door for new creators to shape the future of the series.
Although Larian Studios has officially stated it will move away from Baldur’s Gate, it has left significant expectations to fulfill. The success of BG3 points to heightened interest in a potential Baldur’s Gate 4, so it’s only a matter of time until studios start placing their bids to work with Wizards of the Coast. This responsibility and collaboration will not come lightly. From a compelling plot and gameplay mechanics to inspired companion stories, Baldur’s Gate 4 must promise players the whole package to earn its place as a worthy successor in the Baldur’s Gate franchise. Yet, Baldur’s Gate 4 should not stray too far from its origins. In fact, it should look back to move forward.
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A Baldur's Gate 3 player finally adds Astarion to their party after 47 hours of playtime, finding the core party member far later than expected.
Baldur’s Gate 4 Should Not Be An Entirely New Chapter
The Baldur’s Gate franchise has continually evolved over time, adapting to new systems and storytelling techniques while keeping its roots planted in the Forgotten Realms. With Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios revitalized the series for a new generation, blending profound lore with modern mechanics and a now-iconic cast of characters. As speculation swirls around the potential for Baldur’s Gate 4, especially with Corinne Busche collaborating with Wizards of the Coast on an unnamed project, there’s an understandable temptation to start entirely fresh with new protagonists, threats, and stakes. However, abandoning the narrative foundation built by BG3 could be a colossal misstep.
A completely clean slate would overlook the emotional resonance and character development that made BG3 so beloved, to the point where Larian felt no need to release DLC for BG3 to achieve greatness. While the next game should push forward in terms of story and scale, doing so without acknowledging the consequences of the last chapter would squander the impact that BG3 had on players and the world itself. Even a new main character and conflict can, and should, exist in the long shadow cast by the events of BG3.
The Characters of Baldur’s Gate 3 Should Come Back for Baldur’s Gate 4
The true heart of Baldur’s Gate 3 wasn’t just in the spellbooks or mastering the turn-based combat system. It was in the companions. BG3’s six Origin characters weren’t static party members; they were fully realized individuals with complex motivations, moral alignments, backstories, and dynamic relationships. They grew with the player over time and often became the emotional anchors of the entire experience. For many, BG3 wasn’t just about saving the Realms from the threat of the Absolute—it was about saving Astarion from an oppressive master, helping Shadowheart learn more about her past, or giving Karlach the peace she deserved. Leaving these characters behind would not just be a narrative reset; it would feel like losing old friends. Whether they return as central figures, side characters, or even legends whispered about in taverns, their presence should carry forward into Baldur’s Gate 4.
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The Actors Stand At The Ready
A crucial part of what brought the Baldur’s Gate 3 characters to life was the ensemble of actors who poured themselves into their roles. Baldur’s Gate 3 has no scarcity of amazing performances that added depth and texture to the story, creating characters that resonated with fans long after the credits rolled. From conventions to red carpets, this cast has shown continued love for their characters and the fanbase that made the game a total financial success.
To add more fuel to the fire, the actors of Baldur’s Gate 3 have been vocal about their passion for their characters. At the BAFTA Game Awards, Samantha Beart, Tracy Wiles, and Neil Newbon expressed their interest in returning for Baldur’s Gate 4, even if Larian Studios had no involvement. If major characters like Karlach, Astarion, and Jaheira are willing to return, then Baldur’s Gate 4 represents low-hanging fruit for exploring where these characters ended up after the events of BG3. In an industry where passion and opportunity don’t always align, Baldur’s Gate 4 presents the perfect chance to leverage both.
Larian Studios Set A Standard The Creators Of Baldur’s Gate 4 Should Follow
One of Larian’s most significant contributions to the Baldur’s Gate legacy isn’t just mechanical depth; it’s heartfelt storytelling. The studio’s handling of its Origin characters has set a new bar for how party members can meaningfully evolve alongside the player, following in the great traditions of RPGs like Mass Effect. Characters aren’t just built on templates or background lore—they are true protagonists in their own right, with stories that ran parallel and sometimes even intersected with the main narrative in powerful ways. If a player decides against playing as Tav or Durge, they have a plethora of options to choose from with the pre-set Origin companion stories in Baldur’s Gate 3 that are bound to challenge them emotionally.
Additionally, Larian Studios brought back characters from previous installations of Baldur’s Gate, honoring the groundwork that was laid before them. Familiar characters like Jaheira, Minsc, and Viconia were treated with proper respect and became integrated into the story while still allowing new characters to shine. Whoever takes up the mantle for Baldur’s Gate 4 would do well to honor that framework.
Fans Are Not Ready To Say Goodbye to BG3 Characters, And They Shouldn’t
Lastly, Baldur’s Gate 3 fans may simply just want to learn more about their beloved companions. There are multiple reasons why Baldur’s Gate 3’s player count has remained consistently high, and one of them could be a communal hesitancy to close this chapter in the franchise. Almost as if over 100 hours of investment weren’t enough, fans aren’t merely interested in learning which ending was canon, they’re eager to see how those endings ripple out across the Realms. An appearance from a war-seasoned Wyll at the turning point of a battle or a consultation with Gale at camp after things go south could enrich the experience without hijacking the spotlight from new protagonists. It’s not about revisiting the past, but rather about acknowledging that it mattered.
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
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Divinity 4.0
- Genre(s)
- RPG
