Larian Studios is still in the early stages of releasing details about its upcoming RPGBaldur’s Gate 3, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing significant to know about the franchise. Larian, after all, isn’t the only source of information, and to understand the places thatBaldur’s Gate 3might be going, it’s important to take a look where its previousBaldur’s Gateinstallments have been–and the history of Baldur’s Gate, both the city and franchise.
As those who played the earlyBaldur’s Gatetitles will know, the game uses aclassicDungeons & Dragonssetting, Faerun, to serve as the backdrop for the franchise. The first game naturally takes place in the northern city of Baldur’s Gate, and in that time, the city garnered a proud reputation as the darkest and most troubled town on the Sword Coast. As designer Adam Lee says, it’s “the Gotham [City] to Waterdeep’s Metropolis," and that same tone is expected to carry over into the narrative ofBaldur’s Gate 3.
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The Story So Far
First off, it’s been clearly established thatBaldur’s Gate 3is going to tell its own story; the firstBaldur’s Gatesaga is over, and players won’t necessarily need to know it in order to enjoyBG3. However, it’s also been established that thereabsolutelywillbe connectionsbetween the two stories–unsurprising, considering both the fame and success of the original games and the fact that they’re both taking place in the same area of Faerun. So, whileBG3is a separate story, it’ll almost certainly be influenced by the events that occurred in Baldur’s Gate roughly a century prior.
Baldur’s Gate (1998)
There’s really no Baldur’s Gate without the Dead Three. That refers to the infamous gods Bhaal, Bane, and Myrkul, all three of whom were evil gods eventually forced to walk the earth as mortals during the Time of Troubles and were subsequently slain. Yet all three of them currently live because they were able to preserve their power in mortal offspring.
That’s where the story ofBaldur’s Gate(the original game released in 1998, that is)comes in: Bhaal, the god of murder, is easily the most important of the Dead Three to the city of Baldur’s Gate and its history, considering one of Bhaal’s mortal children attempted to destroy it in a bloody war with Amn only to be stopped by yetanotherchild of Bhaal. In short, Bhaal’s desperation to preserve his own life paved the way for Baldur’s Gate’s reputation as the darkest, grittiest city on the Sword Coast, one that is no stranger to hard times and unbelievable events.
Murder in Baldur’s Gate
That gigantic mind flayer vessel depicted in theopening cinematic ofBG3? It’s probably not the weirdest thing seen around the city in the past decade or so, let alone since the Time of Troubles concluded. After the Iron Crisis and first major Bhaalspawn conflict (aka the events ofBaldur’s Gate), the city once again encountered trouble as told in theD&DcampaignMurder in Baldur’s Gate, wherein the god Bhaal was finally resurrected through the murder of the last living Bhaalspawn. Then there’s the even longerBaldur’s Gate:Descent into Avernus, aMad Max-esque campaign that takes players from the streets of Baldur’s Gate to the pits of the Nine Hells themselves.
All that to say, by the timeBaldur’s Gate 3starts, the city is still facing the wake of bothMurder in Baldur’s GateandDescent into Avernus, with the scars ofBaldur’s Gate (1998)still in peoples' memories as well. Whatever the narrative ofBG3has in store for audiences, it should hopefully fit in with the dark and epic tone that accompanied all previous adventures set in the iconic city.
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The Baldur’s Gate Precedent
Secondly, there are the actual mechanics and layout of the previousBaldur’s Gategames to consider: what made them special, and what Larian need to try and adapt for the new generation ofBGgames. When it comes down to it,theBaldur’s Gatesagais responsible for more than many people likely realize; their success shaped the RPG genre for years to come. Other iconic, genre-defining series likeDragon Age(andMass Effect, though they’re sci-fi rather than fantasy),Pillars of Eternity, andDivinity: Original Sin(made by Larian Studios) all took major cues fromBaldur’s Gate, and with good reason.
Legacy
Baldur’s Gatewas a hit when it released in 1998, and its successor,Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, even more so.BG2improved just about every element of the franchise and is generally consideredone of the best RPGs of all time, despite how much times have changed since the year 2000. That’s because of all the thingsBG2did so unforgettably well: a deep, fleshed-out story, large branching dialogue trees to define the main character even though they were silent, colorful companions who had personalities, quests, and romances to engage with, and choices with meaningful consequences attached.
Sound familiar?BG2was one of the first RPGs to do all of those things with great skill, and it became the standard going forward. So, needless to say, returning fans of the franchise are looking toBG3to embrace all of the best things about the old games and–hopefully–improve upon them.
Mechanics
BG2also had a pretty well-defined “look,” one that may be taken into accountinBG3’s gameplay. Some of the biggest features included an isometric perspective (which it has already been confirmed thatBG3will include, though players aren’t restricted to it), an open world with plentiful side-quests and story endings, and extensive character customization including race, gender, class, and abilities. It’s looking like Larian does indeed intend to expand character customization options inBG3, which bodes well for the rest of the mechanics that made theBaldur’s Gateseries great.
Overall, the biggest thing aboutBaldur’s Gategameplay was the freedom that players were given, even while keeping track of the overarching narrative. If Larian can preserve that feeling and the elements ofBaldur’s Gatethat make it beloved even all these years later while still telling a brand new story adapted forD&D’s 5th edition ruleset, thenBaldur’s Gate 3will be a true thing of beauty.
Baldur’s Gate 3is in development now for PC and Stadia.
