Baldur’s Gate III is the highly anticipated third installment in the legendary RPG series set in the Forgotten Realms, developed by Larian Studios for Windows systems. Originally launched in 1998 by BioWare, the series has become one of the most acclaimed and respected in RPG history. Baldur’s Gate III is set to release in 2021, with Early Access available from September 30, 2020.
Story
Set about a century after the events of Throne of Bhaal, Baldur’s Gate III finds the city of Baldur’s Gate under siege by horrifying Mind Flayers. These malevolent creatures have infected the city’s inhabitants, including the player’s character and their companions, with a parasitic entity that gradually transforms its host into a Mind Flayer. However, the transformation in the protagonist and their allies unfolds differently, endowing them with extraordinary abilities.
Uncovering the nature of this parasite and finding a way to remove it is a central goal. As the story progresses, players will discover that this is just the tip of a much larger conspiracy. The outcome of the story will vary based on the choices made throughout the game.
Create Your Character and Gather Your Team
The adventure begins with character creation using the developer’s character creator. Players can select their character’s race, sex, appearance, and origin, which ties to their class. Available races include not only humans, elves, and halflings but also tieflings, githyanki, drow, and vampire spawns.
Each race offers more than just a unique appearance; they come with distinctive abilities, backstories, and dialogue options that impact the story, gameplay, and interactions within the team. Players can choose from six classes: Fighter, Wizard, Rogue, Ranger, Warlock, and Cleric. Each class also has various archetypes that influence gameplay style and strategy.
New Gameplay Mechanics
Baldur’s Gate III adapts the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons rules for video game play. Randomness and dice rolls are integral, affecting everything from dialogue options to character perception and survival chances. For instance, successful attribute tests can unlock new dialogue choices, while luck can impact secret discoveries and life-saving moments.
In addition to single-player, the game features cooperative multiplayer, allowing players to team up with friends either online or via split-screen mode, taking control of their chosen characters.
Combat
Combat in Baldur’s Gate III is turn-based, with dice rolls determining which side acts first. During their turn, characters can perform various actions such as attacks and casting spells, influenced by their movement speed and dice roll results. Environmental interaction is crucial; for example, spilled flammable substances can be ignited to harm enemies.
The game features a highly interactive environment where players can break bridges or ladders to hinder enemies. The verticality of the gameplay offers numerous tactical options—such as positioning a Ranger on high ground for a safe vantage or using a Rogue to navigate underground routes behind enemy lines. New stealth mechanics, influenced by light and darkness, allow characters to use shadows for concealment, enhancing their ability to sneak past enemies. Light and darkness can also be manipulated through magic.
Key Features:
- Fantasy RPG Experience: Based on the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons.
- Epic Storyline: Save the world from a terrifying ancient evil.
- Diverse Playable Races: Choose from numerous races, each with unique traits and abilities.
- Dynamic Team Building: Assemble a team and embark on an unforgettable adventure.
- Multiplayer Options: Play with AI companions or join other players in online and split-screen co-op modes.
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