Baldur’s Gate 3: Release date, platforms, story, trailers and more

As the long-awaited return to the Forgotten Realms unfolds, Baldur’s Gate 3 is set to captivate both new adventurers and seasoned veterans alike. With its official release on August 3, 2023, following an extensive early access phase, players can finally dive into a sprawling narrative filled with rich lore, intricate character choices, and the strategic depth of turn-based combat inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. Prepare to gather your party and embark on a journey where every decision shapes your destiny in this monumental RPG from Larian Studios.

Release date

Baldur’s Gate 3 officially released on August 3, 2023, for PC after an extensive three-year Early Access phase. Following its PC launch, the game became available on September 6, 2023, for PlayStation 5. Players who preordered the Digital Deluxe Edition for PS5 enjoyed early access starting on September 3, 2023. This release marks a significant milestone for Larian Studios, allowing fans of the franchise to fully immerse themselves in this expansive Dungeons & Dragons-inspired RPG.

Baldur’s Gate 3 released in Early Access on Steam on October 6, 2020. It was originally supposed to remain in this state for about a year, but has suffered a series of delays.

The Early Access period is now coming to an end, however, with the game having received its final release dates:

1. PC – August 3, 2023;
2. PlayStation 5 – September 6, 2023.

Limitations in Baldur’s Gate 3’s Early Access

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Early Access phase presents several limitations that affect gameplay and overall experience. Players can only explore the initial act of the game, which restricts character progression to the first four or five levels, resulting in a limited array of abilities and options. Combat can often feel unbalanced, as low-level characters have minimal hit points and limited actions, making encounters more lethal than expected. Furthermore, the game lacks the variety of classes available in Dungeons & Dragons, with only six basic classes offered at launch, leaving out fan favorites like the Barbarian and Druid. Technical issues also plague the experience, including bugs and performance problems that can disrupt gameplay. Additionally, characters created during Early Access do not carry over to future updates or the final release, forcing players to restart their adventures with each significant patch.

In its Early Access, Baldur’s Gate 3 features the first out of the planned three acts. This means roughly about 25 hours of gameplay, though the actual number obviously depends on your playstyle.

The Early Access also features a level cap. The playable characters max out at Level 5.

As befitting an Early Access title, many features that are due to appear in the full version either aren’t yet present at all, or are simplified (missing dialogue options, prematurely finished questlines, inaccessible locations).

You must also keep in mind the Early Access release may be much more susceptible to bugs and shortcomings, most of which will likely be fixed in the full release.

What will be added in the full release?

The full release of Baldur’s Gate 3 is set to introduce a range of exciting features that enhance gameplay and storytelling. Notably, players can expect new ending cinematics tailored for darker character paths, allowing for a more nuanced exploration of moral choices throughout the game. Additionally, the release will include official modding tools, empowering players to create and share custom content, such as new character options and gameplay modifications. These tools are anticipated to significantly enrich the game’s community-driven content and replayability. Other enhancements will focus on improving multiplayer dynamics and addressing various bugs and gameplay issues, ensuring a polished experience for all players.

In addition to the aforementioned and already confirmed three acts and the Level 12 cap, the full release of Baldur’s Gate 3 is also supposed to contain additional content. This includes:

1. Split-screen co-op.
2. a new class – Monk;
3. two new races: Half-Orc and Dragonborn (and 10 subraces);
4. new subclasses and specializations;
5. a new premade character – Karlach.

What new features can I expect in the full version of Baldur’s Gate 3

In the full version of Baldur’s Gate 3, players can expect a wealth of new features and enhancements that significantly expand the gameplay experience. Key additions include:

• New Classes and Subclasses: The highly anticipated Monk class will be introduced, complete with three subclasses. Additionally, all classes will receive new subclasses, increasing the total to 22 new options for character customization.
• Expanded Races: Two new races, Half-Orc and Dragonborn, along with a new subrace (Duregar Dwarf), will be available. Each race brings unique abilities and playstyles to the game.
• Increased Level Cap: The maximum character level will rise from 10 to 12, allowing for further character development and access to more powerful abilities.
• New Companions: Players will meet several new companions, including Karlach, Halsin, Jaheira, Minsc, and Minthara, enriching the narrative and gameplay dynamics.
• Enhanced Spell and Feat Options: Over 600 spells will be available at launch, including 51 new spells. The number of feats has also been more than doubled with the introduction of 22 new feats.
• Difficulty Modes: Two additional difficulty modes—Story Mode for a more casual experience and Hardcore Mode for a challenging gameplay experience—will be introduced to cater to different player preferences.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Updates include features like the Magic Mirror for character appearance changes and various performance enhancements to ensure smoother gameplay.

These features collectively promise to create a richer and more immersive RPG experience in Baldur’s Gate 3, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.

What are the new difficulty modes in Baldur’s Gate 3

In Baldur’s Gate 3, players can choose from five distinct difficulty modes, each tailored to provide a unique gameplay experience:

• Explorer Mode: This is the easiest setting, designed for players who want to focus on the story without the stress of challenging combat. Enemies have significantly reduced health and damage, and players receive a +2 proficiency bonus to attack rolls and saving throws. Additionally, characters are stabilized immediately upon reaching 0 HP, and Death Saving Throws are disabled. However, multiclassing is not allowed in this mode.
• Balanced Mode: This is the default difficulty level, offering a fair challenge for both newcomers and experienced players. Enemy health and damage are set to normal levels, and players can multiclass. Death Saving Throws are active, adding a layer of strategy to combat.
• Tactician Mode: This mode ramps up the challenge significantly, with enemies benefiting from increased health and improved tactics. Players will face tougher foes that utilize advanced strategies, making encounters more complex. The number of camp supplies required for long rests is doubled, further increasing the game’s difficulty.
• Honour Mode: Introduced in a later update, this ultra-hardcore setting features permadeath; if your party is wiped out, the save file is permanently deleted. It also includes Legendary Actions for bosses and removes the ability to save scum, making every decision critical.
• Custom Mode: This mode allows players to mix and match various difficulty settings and modifiers from the previous modes. Players can tailor their experience by adjusting specific rules to create a personalized challenge.

These difficulty options ensure that players of all skill levels can enjoy Baldur’s Gate 3, whether they seek a casual narrative experience or a grueling tactical challenge.