With the long-anticipated release of Baldur’s Gate 3 right around the corner, fans are eager to get their hands on the game some have been testing out in Early Access for the past few years. However, when it comes to finding out what critics think about the RPG sequel, they might have to wait a little bit longer.
The upcoming game, developed by Larian Studios, has announced it will not distribute review codes until July 28, a mere six days before the game’s official launch on the PC.
The late distribution of the review codes for Baldur’s Gate 3 is to afford the developers the time needed to wrap up work to polish the game before its release. Consequently, reviews will likely be work-in-progress pieces, given the game’s impressive length which includes thousands of distinct endings.
Larian Studios tells me review codes for Baldur’s Gate 3 won’t be out until July 28, just six days before launch, to give the devs “time to fully wrap up their work” for release. So don’t expect any comprehensive reviews before the game comes out!
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) July 20, 2023
This latest revelation, courtesy of Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, has sparked discussion. Some fans have voiced concerns that this may lead to rushed, incomplete reviews. Conversely, others have shared their delight that the late review release means there’s less chance of spoiling the game before they’ve had a chance to immerse themselves.
In light of the game’s vast scope, the inevitable question arises: can reviewers write an accurate and comprehensive review within such a short timeframe?
A side of the coin suggests that even with a brief period, reviewers can establish a basic understanding of the foundational level of the game. It’s not uncommon for reviewers to tackle extensive games without necessarily completing them. But, it’s an approach that may prompt reviewers to speed through the game, resulting in a potentially less insightful review. When weighed against the backdrop of gaming websites’ financial motivations, there’s a chance that review quality may be compromised in the haste to get a review out by release day.
The good news is that Baldur’s Gate 3 is a unique case – expert reviews aren’t exactly necessary at all.
If you head on over to the official Steam page of Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll see that more than 60,000 individual users have left their thoughts about the Early Access portion of the game. After what’s essentially a three-year-long beta period, the game has enjoyed “Very Positive” reviews from people who spent money on a game that technically isn’t even out yet.
The 9/10 rating suggests that Larian Studios is doing all the right things, even mid-development. Not only that but Baldur’s Gate 3 has spent the past few weeks if not months topping the sales charts on Steam, very rarely getting booted out of the Top 5.
With the game already generating this much discussion, especially after Larian Studios confirmed that its highest difficulty will make gamers cry, it’s clear the appetite for this title is hearty. The late distribution of review codes doesn’t change the fact that the game will be available for fans to explore in all its depth soon.
Ultimately, whether early reviews are a must or can be delayed for a more in-depth analysis boils down to personal opinion. For those who aren’t bothered by potential spoilers or want a feel of the game’s basic aspects, early reviews may be their go-to. However, for players who want a complete understanding before they dive in, waiting for more detailed reviews might be the wiser choice.
As the gaming community continues to discuss and anticipate the release, one thing is certain: regardless of when reviews hit the internet, the excitement for Baldur’s Gate 3’s launch is immeasurable.
