Baldur’s Gate 3 is a great RPG. A great, big, no-compromise RPG! It shows in the numbers: over 170 hours of film and three times more cinematic dialogue than all three The Lord of the Rings novels combined, a library of over 600 spells and actions, and much more.
Dungeons & Dragons is all about player freedom: the freedom to define your character, explore vast areas with your allies, and decide the fate of the world. We’ve spent the last six years bringing the limitless freedom that D&D is known for to the realm of video games. We’ve written two million words of dialogue about the thousands of characters that populate the world of Faerûn, with a thrilling story and deep character creation that puts you at the helm of the adventure. The dice can determine your luck, but you determine the story.
Originally scheduled to launch on August 31, we’ve decided to release Baldur’s Gate 3 for PS5 on September 6. This short delay gives us more time to reach our 60 frames per second ambition, thanks to the power of PlayStation 5. of you who bought our massive Collector’s Edition (limited stock still available), don’t worry, we’re here! ready for you. We’ll email you codes so you can join on September 3, at the start of the 72-hour Early Access period from September 3 that accompanies the Deluxe Edition.
We’ve talked about Baldur’s Gate 3 being an ambitious game, so let’s take a look at some of the features you can expect when it launches on September 6, or for those of you with the Deluxe Edition, on September 3.
Create a character that looks like you, or create something completely different
Whether you have the build of a leprechaun or the muscle tone of half an orc, it all starts with a hero. Character creation is such a central part of D&D, and in Baldur’s Gate 3 we wanted players to experience the same kind of freedom in shaping their own identities. Who you are, what you look like and how you want to play is up to you. Define your body type, your age and appearance – right down to the highlights in your hair. Baldur’s Mouth will be writing about you, so it’s important that you make a bold impression.
You drive the adventure. Well, a version of you based on your choice of Human, Dwarf, Githyanki, Elf, Drow, Tiefling, Halfling, Half-Elf, Gnome, Half-Orc, or Dragonborn. But what you look like doesn’t define who you are. That’s why we have 12 classes of D&D, including Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard, with a total of 46 subclasses for some extra spice and specialization. Or if you don’t want to choose, you can create a hybrid class via Multiclassing.
Get as macro or micro as you want.
Friends, lovers and enemies
Whether you explore Faerûn with your companions in single player or play with friends in split-screen multiplayer, your story is shaped by the company you maintain, the bonds you forge and the enemies you make along the way.
During your long rests between battles and quests, camp with others who have undergone the unfortunate process of implanting tadpoles into their brains. While Baldur’s Gate 3 offers deep character customization, you can also play as an Origin character: scripted, playable protagonists, each with their own stories, desires, and alignments.
You don’t have to play as an Origin to enjoy their story and company; you can also recruit Origin characters to your party. You may meet others on your journey who can help you; a few new friends and a few familiar faces.
From the fires of Avernus
Karlach is an example of an Origin character that (when not playing) can be recruited into your party. With a giant battle ax in hand, this battle-weary tiefling barbarian deals a vicious blow. Some say it’s her years of experience on the scorched battlefields of the Blood War.
It could also be the unholy machine pumping infernal fire through her veins, a gift from the archdevil she once served. But be careful – if she gets too excited, she can destroy everything she touches, and that includes you.
Every decision you make in Baldur’s Gate 3 has the potential to change the course of your story. As you create your legacy, the people of Faerûn take note of your actions, chart your adventure, and make their own judgments based on their own inclinations and expectations. The decisions you make in the game have far-reaching short- and long-term effects, but every choice you make is valid; it’s your story. Unless you die. Whatever you did then, it was probably a bad idea.
These decisions also affect your relationships with your companions. Whether it’s a mischievous vampire spawn or a beefy archdruid in the middle of a wild shape-transformation, in Baldur’s Gate 3 you can romanticize almost all of your campmates. And, depending on how you interact with them, you might see different romantic scenes for different of these characters during your reruns.
Relationships in Baldur’s Gate 3 develop and blossom, or sour and dwindle just like in real life. They require maintenance and are based on genuine admiration from the perspective of each character’s overall point of view about the world and your actions in it. The dating world in Baldur’s Gate 3 is your oyster. It’s what you make of it… well, give or take a few dice.
But we’re leaving some of the more intriguing footage for Panel From Hell: Release Showcase, which airs July 7 – where you’ll also get a chance to meet our seventh and final Origin character.
