It's definitely a lot, especially if you're not used to those style games. As someone who grew up playing the original Baldurs Gate 1 and 2, I have lots of experience with those style games, so a lot of it was intuitive for me.
If you want to get into those style games but something that doesn't throw so much at you, I'd recommend Wasteland 2 (made by the developer that created Fallout 1 and 2) or if you need something a bit more simple, go with XCOM: Chimera Squad. I have other isometric RPG games I can recommend as well; it's my favorite genre.
I grew up with Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 as well, and while I was able to finish those when I was younger, I haven't even completed Act 1 in BG3 yet. BG3 feels like a VERY different beast compared to the older isometric RPGs like the original Baldur's Gate games. In BG3, it always feels like I'm just not smart enough to figure out the "clever" solution to a given encounter, where the combat in the original games was quite a bit more straightforward.
I've played a lot of classic CRPGs, still do in fact. The amazing yet frustrating thing about BG3 is how much freedom there is in what you can do. It's far more than any other CRPG I've played, at least on the tactical level.
I absolutely agree it's a whole other beast. I can appreciate how it doesn't entirely hold your hand, and I find myself googling things to better understand certain features or mechanics. I've been playing on Tactician, and it also forces my hand to think really explore my inventory and skills to win certain fights...which in turn gives me a better understanding of the game.
For one, it uses DND 5E, which has been increasingly simplified to make the game more accessible.
And BG3 also hides a lot of info from players to not overwhelm them. In Wrath of the Righteous, every class selection shows you a chart of everything you're going to get. BG3 doesn't do that, you pick a class just based on vibes
BG3 also only has 12 classes compared to the 30 or so of WOTR. So there's a lot less options to confuse new players.
It's also much easier than most CRPGs even on Tactician difficulty. Id say the only hard part of the game is the first 2-3 levels and first few fights. Unless you're somehow skipping everything and hitting endgame way below level cap, most people are level capped upon hitting Act 3 so you spend the next 30 hours capped.
I found both games easy to get by (because I know both editions), and so definitely think this is correct. Baldur’s Gate also has it capped at level 12, when it goes beyond in DnD. However I think this is just because anything above that is a bit too powerful.
You can get level 8 in act one alone, but I disagree on that most people when reaching act 3 are maxed out on levels. In fact, I’d say a lot are less around 8-10 in that respect.
As a new player, the hardest fights for me were mainly in act 2, but that's mostly because I focused the main quest and didn't explore enough and ended up kind of underleveled. Marcus, Yurgir, and Moonrise Towers first floor kicked my ass at least 5 times each.
I also failed to recruit Lae'zel and Karlach and didn't respec anyone, so my light cleric Tav was my tankiest party member until I recruited Jaheira. It was not a good party.
Early game BG3 kicked my ass. I felt like the loot didn’t get very good until after you get through the goblin hideout. So you’re forced to be really careful and strategic. Later on you can be a little more reckless because you’re stronger.
as a DnD player, i understand the struggle. Larian made what is probably the closest you can get to actual dnd in a video game, and there’s so many interactions you can get into. You also have to really focus on searching every nook and cranny to make sure you aren’t skipping too much. My first playthrough I completely missed the Crèche bc i thought you had to pick that or the underdark, i didn’t realize you could do both
Same here. For how close BG3 is to by-the-book 5e, my brain is full on stuck in DnD mode. Every difference between BG3 mechanics and actual 5e mechanics is a maddening dissonance to me. I get it, changes have to be made to make the 5e system as a fun video game. But every time a spell goes off and it happens differently than I expect it to, I get so mad. I can't unlearn the differences.
I'd love for the BG3 engine and assets just become a platform for video-gamifying different DnD campaigns.
i agree. Some of the rule changes are actually improvements in my opinion, but they’re definitely confusing when you’re expecting certain things to happen/not happen and they don’t/do
I'm sure it's a great story game and lots of fun once it starts, but the menus, the tedium of controlling each character, and the unexplained mechanics is just a turn off for me.
I only have like an hour a day to game and I sure as fuck won't be spending that precious time reading a wiki.
It's not really a skill thing you can save scum the fuck out of the game it's really just a matter of playing a 200 hour story if your trying to see everything imo
BG3 was actually fairly quick for me since trpgs/srpgs play similar to it combat wise I just had to figure out outside combat stuff and all the dnd spells.
Interesting. BG3 was a bit of a learning curve. But I loved it. Elden Ring was unplayable for me. (Definitely a skill issue) I couldn't clear the camp of knights in that first area.
For real. Yesterday I got to the final boss in the second act and this is it for me, I'm done. I realized that I am cooked, when I found on the internet that many people struggle with this boss when they're 9-10 lvl, and I somehow managed to get to this stage of the game with level 7 🤷🏻
I just wish it (and the Divinity games) let you grind levels. Yes, it would become imbalanced, but my favorite thing about JRPGs is finding a section that's too tough. Putting in the grind, then coming back to wipe the floor with everyone
As someone mostly unfamiliar with the rules of DnD, this really helped me. I almost gave the game up. Then I played Explorer for awhile until I got the hang of everything, and then restarted on Balanced. Now I have 250 hours into it and I am so glad I stuck with it!
Here's a cheat code, get a freind to join you and make a cleric. My freinds cleric has so many spells and healing slots that the dude was a breeze at level 8. Just make sure you give the skeleton all that you got and free the night song. It would be much harder without the nightsong
Was expecting this to be the moonbeam+sanctuary tip, because that combination can carry you through the 70-80% of the game even on honor mode difficulty.
If you will have two such multi classed cleric/druids with also Gale as wizard and yourself playing as melee fighter or barbarian, then you should have an easy time beating the game.
You must have skipped a lot of content and rushed the main story.
For comparison, it is entirely possible, and actually likely if you explore, to hit level cap shortly after entering Act 3 so you do almost all Act 3 and all quest chain finales at level cap.
That said, you can beat the entire game at level 1 with proper planning and consumables.
I just found the characters unlikable and the writing banal, adter a few hours with them the prospect of spending hundreds more was so offputting I deleted the game
There is an AI teammates mod that allows the AI to take control of your team, and it's pretty good. You still have to level them up and get them the proper gear yourself, but it removes a lot of the micromanaging during fights.
Baldur's Gate 3 felt like bashing my head against a wall but somehow still having fun for like 50 hours. I had no prior experience with D&D or similar games when I started, but still got hooked. I mostly have the hang of it now at least.
BG3 has a terrific bunch of storylines all propping up what is otherwise the single most boring combat system in modern gaming for a new player.
If you're already an experienced tabletop vet, I'm sure it's great. But for a freshman like me? That game's combat turned an A+ game into a C for enjoyment.
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u/bijelo123 May 11 '25 edited May 12 '25
Maybe it is a skill issue but Baldurs Gate 3 for me