Baldur's Gate 3

[Suede]

So I bought this game at launch for the PS5 version, even though the reviews were incredible and public opinion was super positive, I was still worried I'd have buyer's remorse as I'm not really into the CRPG genre at all and from the videos I'd watched I had no idea what was going on. Joke was on me, though, it ended up being the best game I've ever played and I've put 700 hours into it so far.

Anyway, patch 8 is out on Tuesday April 15th, which will add a photo mode, 12 new sub-classes, and your general bug fixes and such. This is also the final big update for it, so it's good time to finally jump in if you haven't already.

[Kestrel]

God I need to finish this game. Every time I play I have a great time, drop it for months and start a new run when I come back. Maybe this update I'll finally go through the whole game

[NateDog]

I bought this for Leelee hoping she'd like it but it didn't land with her, although I think she just found the combat too drawn out and difficult. I wish I had the time to give it a proper go myself but I've already been pushing it by trying to get into FFXIV.

[Suede]

God I need to finish this game. Every time I play I have a great time, drop it for months and start a new run when I come back. Maybe this update I'll finally go through the whole game

Yeah, it's very easy to drop a current run and then start another. I remember doing a playthrough a few months ago, put 20 hours into it, didn't like where it was going in some ways, so I dropped it and started another playthrough lol. I've played through Act 1 so many times at this point.

I bought this for Leelee hoping she'd like it but it didn't land with her, although I think she just found the combat too drawn out and difficult. I wish I had the time to give it a proper go myself but I've already been pushing it by trying to get into FFXIV.

It can definitely be a bit of a learning curve, my first playthrough was kind of a disaster lol, barely knew what I was doing most of the time and some parts I had to drop to the easiest mode Explorer, especially in Act 3. I was really winging it most of the time. My second playthrough was so much better. It's really worth it. It's made almost every game I played afterwards feel so shallow in comparison. The amount of ways you can tackle objectives is really mind-bending.

[Refluxe]

I knew how good Larian were because of the Divinity games, but I never thought Baldur's Gate 3 would turn out how it did. CRPGs are what I grew up on and I still play most of the 2D isometric games to this day (Fallout 1&2, BG 1&2, Icewind Dale 1&2, Planescape Torment etc). Baldur's Gate 3 has quite literally blown my mind -- to the point where I'm struggling to play many other games too, except those with that 'nostalgia' factor (e.g. currently replaying Neverwinter Nights and Pillars of Eternity).

I'm not quite at 700 hours (dude, that's impressive) on BG3, but I'm over 400 and I've done 6 full playthroughs with that, including one very nervous Honour mode run (incredibly rewarding at the end though). Not actually properly played it now for about six months though so I'm due another full playthrough or two, especially as I haven't done the new evil endings either. I also want to get the last few achievements I'm yet to unlock (not massively looking forward to the one where you have to multiclass into every class I must admit).

Suede, what are your favourite builds? Favourites characters? Probably got a fair bit we could actually discuss with over 1000 hours between us!

[Suede]

I knew how good Larian were because of the Divinity games, but I never thought Baldur's Gate 3 would turn out how it did. CRPGs are what I grew up on and I still play most of the 2D isometric games to this day (Fallout 1&2, BG 1&2, Icewind Dale 1&2, Planescape Torment etc). Baldur's Gate 3 has quite literally blown my mind -- to the point where I'm struggling to play many other games too, except those with that 'nostalgia' factor (e.g. currently replaying Neverwinter Nights and Pillars of Eternity).

I'm not quite at 700 hours (dude, that's impressive) on BG3, but I'm over 400 and I've done 6 full playthroughs with that, including one very nervous Honour mode run (incredibly rewarding at the end though). Not actually properly played it now for about six months though so I'm due another full playthrough or two, especially as I haven't done the new evil endings either. I also want to get the last few achievements I'm yet to unlock (not massively looking forward to the one where you have to multiclass into every class I must admit).

Suede, what are your favourite builds? Favourites characters? Probably got a fair bit we could actually discuss with over 1000 hours between us!

Yeah I was surprised when I checked my playtime tbh lol, PSN says it's my #2 most played game on my profile (with Overwatch at #1). But for a while it was the only thing I was playing. Then the mods for console version were added last year and I got super into again, it's too much fun with those.

You know, I've actually been kinda boring experimenting with character builds for the most part. My first few playthroughs I didn't bother with multiclassing, but on one of my more recent ones I did try multiclassing Barbarian and Fighter to get Power Surge for that extra attack. I also started another character to try out the Gloomstalker build before taking a break again. Interested to see the new subclasses and what builds people come up.

Also, there are so many great characters, but if I were to just choose from the party then it's probably Karlach then Lae'zel not far behind. I really enjoyed their romances, and loved their personality (Lae'zel is super funny with how serious she is most of the time), but they are also great party members to have in a fight. I very much like the straightforward approach of just hitting enemies with weapons lol. Although, I did have a really good playthrough as a Wild Magic Sorcerer, it was pure chaos at times.

[Refluxe]

What mods are worth checking out? I had a quick gander but didn't see much that interested me. I'm not a huge fan of anything that completely imbalances the game generally, but like further enhancements.

Gloomstalker is great fun. Can absolutely devastate at start of battle. If you haven't tried it yet, even though it feels a bit 'dirty', try a tavern brawler monk. Basically got me through my honor mode run -- the damage output is absolutely ridiculous. Also keen to check out the new subclasses as well.

Great shouts on the characters too. All of the origin characters are just incredibly well written and a pleasure to have in your party - definitely what makes it so replayable. I'm still always a sucker for the usual two: Shadowheart and Astarion. Minthara also a riot on an evil run, though doesn't feel as fleshed out. I've also done a wild magic sorcerer run too and completely agree: pure chaos, but great fun.

Can see why they level-capped the game at 12 as well. If you're smart with levelling and gear, it feels insane at times. Would love to build a party to level 20 though -- too bad we won't be getting any kind of expansion!

Spoiler:

I've gotta ask too... have you done the Raphael fight? Honestly one of the absolute best moments in the game for me.

[Suede]

What mods are worth checking out? I had a quick gander but didn't see much that interested me. I'm not a huge fan of anything that completely imbalances the game generally, but like further enhancements.

Gloomstalker is great fun. Can absolutely devastate at start of battle. If you haven't tried it yet, even though it feels a bit 'dirty', try a tavern brawler monk. Basically got me through my honor mode run -- the damage output is absolutely ridiculous. Also keen to check out the new subclasses as well.

Great shouts on the characters too. All of the origin characters are just incredibly well written and a pleasure to have in your party - definitely what makes it so replayable. I'm still always a sucker for the usual two: Shadowheart and Astarion. Minthara also a riot on an evil run, though doesn't feel as fleshed out. I've also done a wild magic sorcerer run too and completely agree: pure chaos, but great fun.

Can see why they level-capped the game at 12 as well. If you're smart with levelling and gear, it feels insane at times. Would love to build a party to level 20 though -- too bad we won't be getting any kind of expansion!

Spoiler:

I've gotta ask too... have you done the Raphael fight? Honestly one of the absolute best moments in the game for me.

The mod to unlock the party limit is great (Party Limit Begone). It can make things a bit too easy, but there are mods to balance it out. I think there's one called Tactician Enhance that's meant to be good (it's only on PC at the moment though). Also, you might like the mod UnlockLevelCurve which raises the level cap to 20, and you can speed things up with the Double XP Mod. The rest I like are mostly just cosmetic, more face options, more hair options, all different kind of clothing mods, etc and the Cheaters Spell Scroll to mess around in the game with.

Spoiler:

Yeah, the Raphael fight is great! Love the song lol. The House of Hope is one of my favourite parts of the game.

[Refluxe]

I'll have a gander at those. An unlimited party with a level 20 cap would be pure anarchy. Will also check out some of the cosmetic ones as well. I always felt the character creator from an 'appearance' perspective was never as vast as it should be given the scale of the game.

Spoiler:

Couldn't agree more with Raphael. I discovered it on my second playthrough and couldn't believe what I was walking into. A boss with his own theme song (that he sings) is probably one of the coolest things I've seen in a video game. Sat there smiling for ages... before then getting my ass kicked.

Just started another run with the aim to build all new subclasses with a party. Think I'm gonna go for a 'Swarmkeeper' ranger as my main (I don't often play rangers) with Gale as a 'Bladesinging' wizard, maybe Karlach as the 'Path of the Giant' barbarian and then Shadowheart as a 'Death Domain' cleric -- that may change though!

[Jassassino]

Won't be clicking on any of the spoilers of things you guys have discussed, but I've had a great time with this game. Coming to the end of my first playthrough now (which I began last year lmao, ended up taking a long old break from it) and I've loved it. It's felt like the scene in Ratatouille where he remembers his childhood - the best parts of it have really dug up old memories I have of myself as a youngster sinking hours into Dragon Age Origins.

One thing I will say about this though is I do wish it wasn't so big that I'd encounter glitches as much as I often do lmao. It's fine, I don't really care - but I recruited Gayle early on in the game, he said he'd come meet me at Camp and he just never showed up, nearing the end of Act 3 now, feel kind of gutted in wondering what storyline I missed with him? Doesn't matter too much though, considering my OC has been a Druid this time around and filled in the mage slot, but I think for my second playthrough, I'll go for an unga-bunga Barbarian type character (maybe I'll just make Conan and romance everyone too? Lmao) so I'm hoping that doesn't happen again, because I'll need a mage and I can't wait for Halsin's questline to be done!

Also really excited to play BG1 and 2 some point down the line. I've still got Planescape Torment to finish, but I'm super hyped for that too when I get around to it.