Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios’ “surprising” future all-time classic, currently stands tall in a year that saw the launch of many soon-to-be-legendary titles within months of each other. Its unusual blend of grognardy CRPG elements, intricate D&D rules, and massive mainstream success casts a massive if intriguing shadow. As it shines brightly, there’s tension about what its success truly represents.
The old tale of David and Goliath is retold as Baldur’s Gate 3 defies modern video game trends. Instead of the rampant cosmetics shops and battle passes, the brainchild of Larian Studios revels in its dedication to player freedom, ambitious design, and quality craftsmanship. This duality, especially when juxtaposed against its contemporaries, namely Diablo 4 with its always-online grind and macrotansaction-heavy monetization, led some to perceive Baldur’s Gate 3 as a hero of tradition. Yet, is this a sign of a shift in the winds or merely an anomaly?
Larian founder, Swen Vincke, when confronted with this debate in an interview with PC Gamer, elucidated the nebulous nature of gaming “standards.” To him, in the ever-evolving universe of gaming, standards are transient, constantly reshaped and redefined by creative innovation.
Vincke’s perspective is reminiscent of a time when Assassin’s Creed was the touted standard, seen as an insurmountable titan. Then, a few years ago, many felt like Ubisoft had relied too much on a formulaic approach, prioritizing its finances over gameplay. Today, the franchise is but a chapter in the expansive lore of gaming evolution.
Xalavier Nelson Jr, a noted game designer, raises an interesting caveat. He argues the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t a golden template for all RPG developers. Instead, it’s the alchemical result of a specific developer, Larian Studios, taking monumental risks under unique circumstances.
Nelson warns against seeing this game as a universal paradigm, emphasizing that chasing such ambitions without the right ingredients could lead many studios to their doom.
In response, several industry figures and passionate gamers have each thrown their respective two cents. However, the consensus among audiences, Baldur’s Gate 3, has rekindled the latent desire among gamers and, maybe even other studios, for boundary-pushing RPGs.
In the eyes of the people responsible for buying games, Baldur’s Gate 3’s success doesn’t limit expectations – it expands horizons.
Vincke’s sentiment throws a different light on this debate. He acknowledges that while certain games, like Baldur’s Gate 3, arise from unique circumstances, the notion of standards is fluid in gaming. He cites Disco Elysium as a testament to the fact that a game doesn’t need to be gargantuan to redefine genre norms. The beauty of gaming lies in its duality; while technological evolution continually pushes boundaries, simple yet groundbreaking ideas can reshape gaming landscapes.
Elden Ring’s release offers an intriguing parallel, illustrating how each time a game pushes the envelope, it draws both awe and ire. We could argue that the same train of thought applies to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and its predecessor, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
For the critics and skeptics, it’s essential to understand that the gaming community isn’t demanding all games mirror the colossal stature of Baldur’s Gate 3. Instead, by using Baldur’s Gate 3 and the three aforementioned games as an example, these award-winning outings serve as a reminder of the growing distaste for exploitative practices like battle pass, microtransactions, and always-online mechanics – all of which are prevalent if not “normal” in this day and age.
Perhaps, not by design, Baldur’s Gate 3 has reignited discussions about the importance of expansions – they shouldn’t just be mere cash grabs or last-minute additions based on a game’s success but, rather, genuine extensions of its story.
Ultimately, the gist is clear: standards have always been soaring in gaming; it’s just that a majority of AAA titles have been content to flying below the radar and audiences have become too complacent about asking for more.
The euphoria around Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t just about its undeniable quality but also its embodiment of genuine effort and passion. It serves as a mirror, reflecting the stark contrast between games crafted with dedication and those churned out with commercial aspirations.
Baldur’s Gate 3 might not necessarily represent a universal standard. Still, it has carved out a niche as a genre-defining Table Top RPGs. For games aspiring to this niche, Larian Studios has illuminated a path, a beacon for those who wish to tread this particular journey.
In the cacophony of opinions, one truth remains undeniable: Baldur’s Gate 3 has revived a sense of wonder, a testament to the idea that with risk, passion, and dedication, gaming can reach unparalleled heights.
Whether or not the rest of the industry will follow suit remains to be seen. But, the onus is definitely on Bethesda Game Studios and Starfield to deliver after Baldur’s Gate 3 didn’t just successfully weaved, bobbed, and ducked one of gaming’s most hyped releases in years but perhaps delivered a potential knockout punch.
