Baldur’s Gate 3 early access saves won’t carry over to the full game

Title: Baldur’s Gate 3: Can You Transfer Your Early Access Save? Imagine sinking dozens of hours into creating your perfect adventurer in Baldur’s Gate 3’s early access phase, only to face the daunting reality that none of those precious moments will translate to the full game. Yes, unfortunately, save files from the early access version will not carry over to the final release. Here’s what you need to know about preserving your progress and why you should start fresh when the game launches on August 3rd, 2023. Dive into our guide to find out more

Saving progress in early access

In Baldur’s Gate 3, players who engaged with the early access version will find that their save progress does not carry over to the full release. Developer Larian Studios has confirmed that due to significant changes made to the game since the early access launch, including updates to gameplay mechanics and story elements, it is not feasible to transfer save files from the early access version. As a result, players are encouraged to start fresh with the full game, which features a vastly different experience compared to what was available during early access.

1. The subsequent builds of the early access version of BG3 had the option to make manual and auto saves. This was very helpful in spending dozens of hours with the early access version.
2. There have been several progress resets after which old saves stopped working. This happened after major updates, in which things like quests, locations, or important gameplay mechanics were changed.

Can you use saves from Early Access in the final release?

Baldur’s Gate 3 players should be aware that saves from the Early Access version of the game will not transfer to the final release. Developer Larian Studios has confirmed that due to significant changes made to the game, early access saves are incompatible with the full version, which launched on August 3, 2023. Players are encouraged to start fresh with new characters and experiences in the complete game, as the early access content is considered outdated and not reflective of the final product. This means that any progress made during early access will be lost, and players will need to begin their adventures anew in the full release.

1. Unfortunately, there is no option to transfer saves from the early access version to the full game. If you upload them to the directory with the saves from the full version of BG3, the game will not recognize them.
2. After updating BG3 to the final version, you will have to start a new campaign, i.e. create a new character, and replay the game from the beginning. Being familiar with the quests and the gameplay mechanics can help, although the final version will also offer a lot of novelties related to character development and available quests. So, even those players who have already gone through the beginning of the game several times in subsequent EA versions should not get bored.

What new features are included in the full version of Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 has introduced a wealth of new features in its full version, significantly enhancing gameplay and player experience. Here are the key additions:

New Features in Baldur’s Gate 3

• Expanded Story Content: The latest updates, particularly Patch 7, have added thirteen new evil endings for characters, allowing players to see the consequences of their darker choices more vividly than before.
• Official Modding Tools: A major highlight is the introduction of official modding support, which includes a toolkit for creators and an in-game mod manager for players. This allows for easier installation and management of mods, enhancing replayability and customization.
• New Game Modes: The addition of Honour Mode and Custom Mode offers players different gameplay experiences. Honour Mode presents a hardcore challenge by disabling save reloading upon death, while Custom Mode allows for detailed adjustments to enemy difficulty and other gameplay elements.
• Improved Multiplayer Experience: The split-screen multiplayer feature has been revamped, allowing screens to merge and separate dynamically based on character proximity, creating a more immersive cooperative experience.
• Enhanced Combat Mechanics: New legendary actions for bosses in Honour Mode have been introduced, along with various buffs to existing abilities, making encounters more challenging and strategic.
• Epilogue Scenes: Players can now experience new epilogues that provide closure after the main story, featuring interactions with allies that reflect the choices made throughout the game.
• Visual and Animation Improvements: New animations for romance scenes and idle interactions at camp have been added, enhancing the emotional depth and immersion of character relationships.

These features collectively enhance the narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, and overall player engagement in Baldur’s Gate 3, solidifying its status as a premier RPG experience.

What are the new evil endings in Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 7 has introduced a series of new and chilling evil endings, allowing players to explore darker narrative paths with their characters. Here’s a summary of the new evil endings available:

New Evil Endings

• General Evil Endings:
  • Seize Control of the Netherbrain: Players can choose to control the Netherbrain and command the Illithid army, leading to various outcomes based on their choices and constitution checks. If players consume too many Mind Flayer Parasites, they risk transforming into a mind flayer themselves, which leads to even darker consequences like implanting tadpoles into the citizens of Baldur’s Gate.
  • Total Domination: Players can opt to brainwash the populace, compelling them to worship and rebuild the city in their image. Alternatively, they can unleash chaos by inciting a massacre among the citizens.
• Character-Specific Endings:
  • Astarion: If he controls the Netherbrain, he becomes a king who feasts on his subjects. His ending reflects his ambition and thirst for power.
  • Gale: Gale’s ending involves him tearing open a portal to the Celestial Realm, inciting Baldur’s Gate to abandon their faith and seek revenge against the gods.
  • Karlach: In her ending, she embraces her anger and unleashes hellish forces upon Baldur’s Gate by ripping out her Infernal Engine and opening portals from Avernus.
  • Lae’zel: She seeks revenge against Vlaakith, commanding Githyanki forces while using mind flayers as weapons in her quest for power.
  • Shadowheart: Shadowheart can establish a new church by killing followers of Selune and Shar, reflecting her internal conflict and desire for independence from divine influence.
  • Wyll: Wyll transforms into a ruler who enslaves the citizens of Baldur’s Gate, including his own father, turning them into mind flayers.
• Dark Urge Origin Endings:
  • Players embodying the Dark Urge can unlock unique endings by following Bhaal’s teachings. This includes options like forcing companions to leap to their deaths or inciting chaos in Baldur’s Gate until they become the last living being amidst destruction.

These new endings significantly deepen the narrative experience for players choosing evil paths, providing unique cinematic conclusions that reflect their characters’ actions throughout the game.