Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3is already a strong contender for 2023’s Game of the Year due to its immersive storytelling, polished gameplay, and near-infinite replayability. Players diving intoBaldur’s Gate 3are faced with a myriad of choices each with their own game-altering effects that can end up playing anywhere from a subtle to defining role in how their experience unfolds. While this type of consequence-based role-playing is part of the draw ofBaldur’s Gate 3, the game could become more accessible by adding an option from last year’s Game of the Year winnerElden Ring.
Players who are new to theBaldur’s Gateseries or Larian games in general may be surprised to learn just how many details can end up having a major effect on the story later on down the line. Something as broad as a character’s class or race can end up impacting the story in the same way a dialogue choice or skill check failure might, depending on the player’s previous choices, gear, and even companions. With developer Larian stating that it could take players as many as18 playthroughs ofBaldur’s Gate 3to see everything the game has to offer, giving players some way to regain favor with NPCs they may have angered would be a welcome addition.
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Baldur’s Gate 3 Needs its Own Church of Vows from Elden Ring
It can be easy for players to unknowingly find themselves on an NPC group or faction’s bad side while playing throughBaldur’s Gate 3given the complexity of mechanics that go into the game’s branching paths. This can make navigating the game quite daunting for players who may not be familiar with this style of gameplay and could lead to some players failing to follow the route they intend to as a result. To help balance this risk, the game should add a feature similar to theChurch of Vows inElden Ringthat allows players to restore relationships with particular NPCs or factions.
Elden Ringis infamous for its punishing difficulty when it comes to combat, but one area where it is more forgiving is its approach to NPC quest lines and faction alignment. The Church of Vows located in eastern Liurnia of the Lakes and home toElden Ring’s fan-favorite turtle popeMiriel, Pastor of Vows, gives players the opportunity to atone for their sins and reverse any antagonisms they may have committed against an NPC. Whether intentional or not, players can end up attacking certain NPCs during their adventure throughout the Lands Between, but doing so runs the risk of angering them or related characters and locking players out of their side quests.
Baldur’s Gate 3playerscan find themselves in similar situations as the game also encourages exploration and taking risks to solve puzzles in a variety of ways. However, this process can also inadvertently lead players to take on tasks that anger certain NPCs, such as destroying a structure or entering a location where they are forbidden. It is possible for the player to just reload a previous save if an accident like this occurs, but players who aren’t constantly quick-saving may end up having to backtrack quite a way.
Instead, giving players the option to redeem themselves and earn favor with a faction for a price seems like a great way to remove some of the risk posed byexploration and experimentation inBaldur’s Gate 3. While some of the more hardcore players may claim this type of absolution makes the game too easy, having it be an optional service makes the game more accessible for new players while allowing hardcore players to continue to play as they would normally. Giving this type of feature a hefty cost would also help prevent players from over-relying on it while still leaving it as an option for those who need it.
Baldur’s Gate 3is out now on PC; the PlayStation 5 version releases on September 6th, 2023.
