Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 RELEASE THREAD

[MerchantKing]

I expect their next game to be a total banger.

Unfortunately it's going to be a banger by a completely different definition.

 

[Yosharian]

It ain't that deep, he's just badly-written

 

[Heroic Liberator]

Huh, seems like I'm one of the few rare people who liked Wyll: he seemed like a genuine, down to earth victim of circumstances in a party of special snowflake scumbags.

He's that, but he's also unidimensional. Meanwhile the original Wyll was a vainglorious individual who entered the pact with Mizora due to wanting to be acknowledged as being great by those around him (and his desire for vengeance). And from there, you could've had a decent branching storyline of him either realizing that deep down he actually wants to be a true hero and not just be falsely perceived as such or he double downs on his arrogance, discards his heroic mask and becomes an outright villain depending on which direction you nudge him in. But instead of that the Wyll we got is a generic Disney hero who ended up in a pact with Mizora due to being duped by her and he ultimately has no real character arc throughout the story, regardless of whether he retains or breaks his pact with Mizora or whether his very wholesome dad who knew all along that his son was a good guy lives or dies. Wyll stays Wyll, it's only the circumstances of his life that change with no character depth to account for it.

 

[MjKorz]

Huh, seems like I'm one of the few rare people who liked Wyll: he seemed like a genuine, down to earth victim of circumstances in a party of special snowflake scumbags.

He's that, but he's also unidimensional. Meanwhile the original Wyll was a vainglorious individual who entered the pact with Mizora due to wanting to be acknowledged as being great by those around him (and his desire for vengeance). And from there, you could've had a decent branching storyline of him either realizing that deep down he actually wants to be a true hero and not just be falsely perceived as such or he double downs on his arrogance, discards his heroic mask and becomes an outright villain depending on which direction you nudge him in. But instead of that the Wyll we got is a generic Disney hero who ended up in a pact with Mizora due to being duped by her and he ultimately has no real character arc throughout the story, regardless of whether he retains or breaks his pact with Mizora or whether his very wholesome dad who knew all along that his son was a good guy lives or dies. Wyll stays Wyll, it's only the circumstances of his life that change with no character depth to account for it.

That's all true, but you don't really need to make a character complex to make them likeable. Wyll provided a nice contrast to the rest of the party including Karlach, who, although not being morally sussy, was reddit incarnate. He reminded me of Eder somewhat: a companion without any hidden agenda (from you), who doesn't try to manipulate or stab you in the back while also not trying to showcase an expressive personality. His plight is simple to understand and simple to be sympathetic for. In a party of unique Donut Steeles, Wyll felt normal and I liked him for that.

 

[Old Hans]

That's all true, but you don't really need to make a character complex to make them likeable. Wyll provided a nice contrast to the rest of the party including Karlach, who, although not being morally sussy, was reddit incarnate. He reminded me of Eder somewhat: a companion without any hidden agenda (from you), who doesn't try to manipulate or stab you in the back while also not trying to showcase an expressive personality. His plight is simple to understand and simple to be sympathetic for. In a party of unique Donut Steeles, Wyll felt normal and I liked him for that.

I want bad boy Wyll who posts photos of himself on Instagram driving around in a rented Lamborghini, shilling muscle pill supplements

 

[Hydro]

Lol, people talking about Wyll as the most relatable (grounded, or whatever) character. What a fucking shitshow this game is.

 

[Non-Edgy Gamer]

Wyll's original storyline had so much more potential. He was a showboating fraud who made a pact with Mizora all because a goblin took his eye. Thats why his early intro during the goblin fight is so out of place. Thats old showboating wyll

Yeah, but recall that early on this entire thread, and much of the internet, whined that there were no likeable characters. So everyone got rewritten to be more likeable to reddit. Karlach - the reddit Mary Sue snowflake incarnate - was added, and Shadowheart had a win button installed next to her so she'd warm up to the player faster. Early on, Gale's magical hunger had him suggesting to steal the idol of Sylvanus from the druid camp, so he could eat it. Now, it's just a gimmick that eats a couple of magic items before disappearing for the rest of the game.

 

[Zed Duke of Banville]

Huh, seems like I'm one of the few rare people who liked Wyll: he seemed like a genuine, down to earth victim of circumstances in a party of special snowflake scumbags.

Wyll Ravengard, the "Blade of the Frontiers", who is already famous for fighting injustice and monsters around the Baldur's Gate region, is revealed to have a tragic back-story in which he made a pact with a devil (Mizora) while still trying to serve good, and happens to bn punished by Mizora for the first time after joining the player-character's party and refusing to kill Karlach, who is really a tiefling rather than demonic; Wyll is also revealed to be the son of Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard, who is also the Supreme Marshal of the Flaming Fists, is kidnapped during Act I, and is rescued by the party during Act III from Gortash's secret underwater prison accessible only by dwarf-built submarine; also, his patron Mizora manages somehow to be captured during Act II and is rescued by the party from the mind flayer colony; furthermore, Wyll's father directs the party to the underground lair of an ancient dragon, who was a personal friend of Balduran, the legendary founder of Baldur's Gate; and Wyll can follow his father in becoming a Grand Duke of Baldur's Gate.

It might be that his dialogue is more "genuine" and "down to earth" than the others, but I wouldn't know, since he was deceased for most of my playthrough, and I only had him as an actual party member for the initial quest concerning Karlach.

 

[Old Hans]

Wyll's original storyline had so much more potential. He was a showboating fraud who made a pact with Mizora all because a goblin took his eye. Thats why his early intro during the goblin fight is so out of place. Thats old showboating wyll

Yeah, but recall that early on this entire thread, and much of the internet, whined that there were no likeable characters. So everyone got rewritten to be more likeable to reddit. Karlach - the reddit Mary Sue snowflake incarnate - was added, and Shadowheart had a win button installed next to her so she'd warm up to the player faster. Early on, Gale's magical hunger had him suggesting to steal the idol of Sylvanus from the druid camp, so he could eat it. Now, it's just a gimmick that eats a couple of magic items before disappearing for the rest of the game.

I wish they kept the original vision and ignored the internet. It's funny how much of the old stuff is still in the game, but it makes no sense after they changed it around. Like Astarion commenting on how the dream visitor gave him powers

 

[ERYFKRAD]

It might be that his dialogue is more "genuine" and "down to earth" than the others

Pretty low key compared to the dude who dated a goddess. Or the dude who's so ultraflamingohomo that he's simultaneously an elf and a caster and a vampire.

 

[Non-Edgy Gamer]

I wish they kept the original vision and ignored the internet. It's funny how much of the old stuff is still in the game, but it makes no sense after they changed it around. Like Astarion commenting on how the dream visitor gave him powers

The original vision with Daisy was tons better. I don't care if people were supposedly creeped out or if no one wanted to pick that option. It was a nice twist on classic "dark side" mechanics, with obvious downsides if you chose to abuse the powers the whole game, or worse: to trust the visitor.

Instead we got the faggot mindflayer Mary Sue date rapist who retcons the entire history of the region.

 

[Old Hans]

I wish they kept the original vision and ignored the internet. It's funny how much of the old stuff is still in the game, but it makes no sense after they changed it around. Like Astarion commenting on how the dream visitor gave him powers

The original vision with Daisy was tons better. I don't care if people were supposedly creeped out or if no one wanted to pick that option. It was a nice twist on classic "dark side" mechanics, with obvious downsides if you chose to abuse it the whole game, or worse: to trust the visitor.

Instead we got the faggot mindflayer Mary Sue date rapist who retcons the entire history of the region.

I agree daisy was so much better, and I don't care what anyone says, I bet a lot of players would have been seduced by their sexy dream visitor. The people who say "no way daisy was obviously evil, id never let her trick me" are the same people who make reddit threads titled "harlep the incubus took advantage of me!"

 

[Jaesun]

I expect their next game to be a total banger.

Unfortunately it's going to be a banger by a completely different definition.

Like what?

 

[ERYFKRAD]

I expect their next game to be a total banger.

Unfortunately it's going to be a banger by a completely different definition.

Like what?

He means pornographic banging as opposing to explosively good quality.

 

[processdaemon]

Yeah, but recall that early on this entire thread, and much of the internet, whined that there were no likeable characters. So everyone got rewritten to be more likeable to reddit. Karlach - the reddit Mary Sue snowflake incarnate - was added, and Shadowheart had a win button installed next to her so she'd warm up to the player faster. Early on, Gale's magical hunger had him suggesting to steal the idol of Sylvanus from the druid camp, so he could eat it. Now, it's just a gimmick that eats a couple of magic items before disappearing for the rest of the game.

Yeah, they cut back on Astarion's nastier Act 1 comments compared to EA too. It's a pity because in final release he spends more time acting bitchy than anything. He's still one of the better companions but it seems like a waste not to include all this content when they'd already recorded it already.

 

[Haplo]

I wish they kept the original vision and ignored the internet. It's funny how much of the old stuff is still in the game, but it makes no sense after they changed it around. Like Astarion commenting on how the dream visitor gave him powers

The original vision with Daisy was tons better. I don't care if people were supposedly creeped out or if no one wanted to pick that option. It was a nice twist on classic "dark side" mechanics, with obvious downsides if you chose to abuse the powers the whole game, or worse: to trust the visitor.

Instead we got the faggot mindflayer Mary Sue date rapist who retcons the entire history of the region.

Indeed, it seems the original game script was vastly better. For Wyll as well.

 

[Hydro]

I expect their next game to be a total banger.

Unfortunately it's going to be a banger by a completely different definition.

Like what?

He means pornographic banging as opposing to explosively good quality.

That was the original joke

 

[Hydro]

I wish they kept the original vision and ignored the internet. It's funny how much of the old stuff is still in the game, but it makes no sense after they changed it around. Like Astarion commenting on how the dream visitor gave him powers

The original vision with Daisy was tons better. I don't care if people were supposedly creeped out or if no one wanted to pick that option. It was a nice twist on classic "dark side" mechanics, with obvious downsides if you chose to abuse the powers the whole game, or worse: to trust the visitor.

Instead we got the faggot mindflayer Mary Sue date rapist who retcons the entire history of the region.

Indeed, it seems the original game script was vastly better. For Wyll as well.

Furthermore they’ve changed the overall tone as well. At first BG3 was advertised as being grim and serious to contrast it with the Larian previous games, but then under the influence of Swen’s mental problems the “Fanbase” basedwelling furries game has gradually descended into the trademark Disney-tier fantasy themepark spiced with questionable humor. Shame, because a lot of the goodness is still in there.

 

[onemananadhisdroid]

How much was the tadpole resolution actually tuned down?

That's by far the most disappointing thing anyhow... at the end, it boils down to whether you pick the powers to lol around or not. Despite the narrative dressing at first pretending this to be otherwise. This smacks as if they'd looked at the data, and found that a significant portion of their audience wouldn't give in to the temptation if they actually were teased to face -- THE HORROR -- consequences for doing it. Gale and his "hunger" feels hugely nerfed anyway -- an interesting character trait you may actually CONSIDER when getting him aboard is a minor nuisance at best.

Kinda reminds me of the reaction to Dishonored... and there wasn't even any subtlety involved as to what was going on with the Outsider, and his "gifts". People would still interpret that as the game punishing them for abusing the OP powers granted to them. When purely it terms of mechanics, it simply reacted to you going fully-on rampage by giving you more enemies to go fully-on rampage against (game's piss easy as is). And heck, the game's entire theme is power, corruption and abuse of power.

 

[Fedora Master]

How much was the tadpole resolution actually tuned down?

That's by far the most disappointing thing anyhow... at the end, it boils down to whether you pick the powers to lol around or not. Despite the narrative dressing at first pretending this to be otherwise. This smacks as if they'd looked at the data, and found that a significant portion of their audience wouldn't give in to the temptation if they actually were teased to face -- THE HORROR -- consequences for doing it. Gale and his "hunger" feels hugely nerfed anyway -- an interesting character trait you may actually CONSIDER when getting him aboard is a minor nuisance at best.

Kinda reminds me of the reaction to Dishonored... and there wasn't even any subtlety involved as to what was going on with the Outsider, and his "gifts". People would still interpret that as the game punishing them for abusing the OP powers granted to them. When purely it terms of mechanics, it simply reacted to you going fully-on rampage by giving you more enemies to go fully-on rampage against (game's piss easy as is).

So does the game react to you NEVER using the Tadpole, ever? I doubt that's the case.

 

[onemananadhisdroid]

How much was the tadpole resolution actually tuned down?

That's by far the most disappointing thing anyhow... at the end, it boils down to whether you pick the powers to lol around or not.

So does the game react to you NEVER using the Tadpole, ever? I doubt that's the case.

Haven't tried, as my character went into exploring the powers that granted. However:

Spoiler

In the end, whether you actually "succumb" to it all is determined by a choice you can make yourself. In other words, outside of cosmetics (and your character changing some in appearance) it's just powers gifted to lol around. And a far cry from something you'd actually feel wary to at all use, as the narrative implies.

 

[Barbarian]

How much was the tadpole resolution actually tuned down?

That's by far the most disappointing thing anyhow... at the end, it boils down to whether you pick the powers to lol around or not. Despite the narrative dressing at first pretending this to be otherwise. This smacks as if they'd looked at the data, and found that a significant portion of their audience wouldn't give in to the temptation if they actually were teased to face -- THE HORROR -- consequences for doing it. Gale and his "hunger" feels hugely nerfed anyway -- an interesting character trait you may actually CONSIDER when getting him aboard is a minor nuisance at best.

Kinda reminds me of the reaction to Dishonored... and there wasn't even any subtlety involved as to what was going on with the Outsider, and his "gifts". People would still interpret that as the game punishing them for abusing the OP powers granted to them. When purely it terms of mechanics, it simply reacted to you going fully-on rampage by giving you more enemies to go fully-on rampage against (game's piss easy as is).

So does the game react to you NEVER using the Tadpole, ever? I doubt that's the case.

Very minor things. I remember a conversation with Jaheira where she asks if the tadpole is changing you. The negative answer changes depending on if you have consumed tadpoles(one is a regular line the other is a lie/deception check).

Also when the emperor offers you the astral tadpole. If you haven't consumed tadpoles you can flat out refuse. If you have you need to pass a will check or he will be force you to consume it - this one being the closes to an actual consequence of embracing the powers.

But yeah, most is just flavor. And yes the only consequence of consuming the tadpoles is aesthetic with some choice npc reactions and conversations changing, besides the will check I just mentioned.

Even consuming the astral tadpole and becoming "half illithid" has no consequence. There is a cutscene of some of your teeth falling out and you become a freak with bulging black veins on your face, but no npcs notices it or comments on it. Your party members quip about it once and that is it.

 

[Hydro]

In other words too big of a bite to chew. I wonder of any of the so called game journos ever pointed this out, but I suspect they were too busy shilling it.

 

[Fedora Master]

How much was the tadpole resolution actually tuned down?

That's by far the most disappointing thing anyhow... at the end, it boils down to whether you pick the powers to lol around or not. Despite the narrative dressing at first pretending this to be otherwise. This smacks as if they'd looked at the data, and found that a significant portion of their audience wouldn't give in to the temptation if they actually were teased to face -- THE HORROR -- consequences for doing it. Gale and his "hunger" feels hugely nerfed anyway -- an interesting character trait you may actually CONSIDER when getting him aboard is a minor nuisance at best.

Kinda reminds me of the reaction to Dishonored... and there wasn't even any subtlety involved as to what was going on with the Outsider, and his "gifts". People would still interpret that as the game punishing them for abusing the OP powers granted to them. When purely it terms of mechanics, it simply reacted to you going fully-on rampage by giving you more enemies to go fully-on rampage against (game's piss easy as is).

So does the game react to you NEVER using the Tadpole, ever? I doubt that's the case.

Very minor things. I remember a conversation with Jaheira where she asks if the tadpole is changing you. The negative answer changes depending on if you have consumed tadpoles(one is a regular line the other is a lie/deception check).

Also when the emperor offers you the astral tadpole. If you haven't consumed tadpoles you can flat out refuse. If you have you need to pass a will check or he will be force you to consume it - this one being the closes to an actual consequence of embracing the powers.

But yeah, most is just flavor. And yes the only consequence of consuming the tadpoles is aesthetic with some choice npc reactions and conversations changing, besides the will check I just mentioned.

Even consuming the astral tadpole and becoming "half illithid" has no consequence. There is a cutscene of some of your teeth falling out and you become a freak with bulging black veins on your face, but no npcs notices it or comments on it. Your party members quip about it once and that is it.

I thought even using the worm to operate machines on the spelljammer counted, but apparently there really isn't anything to it. Shameful.

 

[Barbarian]

In other words too big of a bite to chew. I wonder of any of the so called game journos ever pointed this out, but I suspect they were too busy shilling it.

In Larian's defense this is still THE rpg with most reactivity I have ever played.

No idea why they scrapped the original idea of the tadpole powers having consequences, but if they did so to sell more copies to normies apparently it worked.