Baldur's Gate 3 Review: A Masterclass in Modern RPG Design

Larian Studios has achieved something remarkable with Baldur’s Gate 3: they’ve created not just an excellent video game, but the definitive digital Dungeons & Dragons experience. After 120 hours across two playthroughs, I’m convinced this is the new gold standard for computer RPGs.

A Story That Respects Your Choices

BG3’s narrative centers on a mind flayer parasite infection that grants you mysterious powers while threatening transformation. What elevates this premise beyond typical “chosen one” fantasy is how the game handles player agency. Every major decision ripples through the story in meaningful ways.

In my first playthrough, I allied with the druids and saved the tiefling refugees. My second run saw me side with the goblins, resulting in an entirely different Act 2 experience with unique quests, companions, and story beats. This isn’t superficial branching—whole questlines appear or disappear based on your choices.

The writing quality remains consistently excellent across all paths. Dialogue feels natural, characters have distinct voices, and even minor NPCs receive memorable moments. Voice acting from the entire cast, including standout performances from Neil Newbon (Astarion) and Jennifer English (Shadowheart), brings the script to life.

D&D 5e Done Right

As a tabletop D&D player, I was skeptical about how well the 5th edition ruleset would translate to a video game. Larian has nailed it. Combat encounters feel like actual D&D sessions, with environmental interactions, creative spell usage, and tactical positioning all crucial to success.

The game implements:

• Full 5e class features and multiclassing
• Dice rolls for skill checks, attacks, and saves (visible to players)
• Concentration mechanics for spells
• Advantage/disadvantage system
• Short and long rest resource management

What’s impressive is how Larian adapted rules that work at a tabletop into real-time gameplay without losing their essence. The turn-based combat system gives you time to strategize while maintaining tension through environmental hazards and enemy AI that actually uses tactics.

Technical Excellence

Running on Larian’s Divinity 4.0 engine, BG3 is a visual showcase. Character models are incredibly detailed, with facial animations during dialogue that rival AAA action games. Environments range from sun-dappled forests to the horrifying depths of the Underdark, each area distinct and memorable.

Performance is solid on recommended specs (RTX 3060, Ryzen 5 3600), maintaining 60+ FPS at high settings. The game scales well for lower-end hardware, though loading times increase on HDDs. Cross-save between PC and Steam Deck works flawlessly—I played Act 1 on desktop and continued seamlessly on Deck during travel.

Companion Depth

Your party members are more than stat blocks—they’re fully realized characters with personal quests, relationship dynamics, and strong opinions about your actions. Romance options feel earned rather than checkbox-based, developing naturally through shared experiences and dialogue choices.

Each companion has approval/disapproval mechanics that affect their personal storylines. Shadowheart’s arc plays out completely differently depending on whether she trusts you, while Astarion’s path can lead to redemption or darker outcomes based on your influence.

The companion AI in combat is competent, though I recommend controlling them directly in challenging encounters. Their banter during exploration adds personality and makes the world feel lived-in.

Minor Flaws

Despite its excellence, BG3 isn’t perfect:

• Act 3 pacing: The final act feels slightly rushed compared to the expansive Acts 1 and 2
• Inventory management: Sorting through loot can be tedious without better filtering options
• Multiplayer desyncs: Occasional connection issues in 4-player co-op sessions
• Quest journal: Could use better organization for tracking multiple active quests

These are minor complaints in an otherwise exceptional package. None significantly detract from the overall experience.

Replayability and Value

At $59.99, BG3 offers extraordinary value. The branching narrative, 12 classes with multiclassing, and different origin character playthroughs provide hundreds of hours of content. I’ve completed two full runs and still haven’t seen all the game has to offer.

Larian continues supporting the game with patches addressing community feedback. Recent updates added new dialogue options, fixed bugs, and improved performance. The studio’s commitment to post-launch support is commendable.

The Verdict

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a masterpiece that will be studied and referenced for years. It proves that respecting player intelligence, implementing complex systems faithfully, and investing in quality writing creates experiences that transcend their genre.

Whether you’re a D&D veteran or new to CRPGs, BG3 deserves your attention. It’s not just the best RPG of 2023—it’s one of the best games ever made.

Final Score: 10/10

Reviewed on PC (Steam) with code provided by Larian Studios. 120 hours played across two complete playthroughs.