Baldur’s Gate 3 Full Release Officially Leaving Early Access
After two years in Early Access, the Baldur’s Gate 3 full release has been announced for 2023. Larian Studios, the developers of Baldur’s Gate 3, made the announcement during the D&D Direct 2022 livestream a few days ago.
“By the Nine Hells, we’ve added a lot of great stuff already, and there’s more where that came from. So, join us in Early Access on our journey to Baldur’s Gate 3, or come along in 2023 when the game releases.”
Larian Studios during D&D Direct 2022 Announcement Showcase
This announcement comes only two months after PCGamesN spoke with Swen Vincke who stated the following:
“We’re going to release it when it’s ready. I mean, the main goal here is quality: getting the game at the quality level that it needs to be. That said, we do think we still need a year to do that. But it will be the last year. We’re getting to the end of it.”
Swen Vincke, interview with PCGamesN
So it appears he’s confident in the studio’s ability to reach the finish line soon.
Two solid years of updates after an early start
The game has come a long way since it hit Early Access in October 2020. 25-30 hours of content. Bugs/glitches in every interaction and encounter. The occasional crash.
But it was still met with (mostly) open arms by BG fans who had previously been wondering if/when they were ever going to see a third entry in the cornerstone series of CRPG’s. Others were skeptical Baldur’s Gate 3 was just a recycling of assets from Divinity: Original Sin 2, widely considered to be one of the best RPG’s in existence. So, if they were going to reskin any game to be Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s not like Divinity would have been a bad choice.
But it’s clear that’s not what they did.
With its turn-based battles, different art style and focus on systemic shenanigans, Baldur’s Gate 3 isn’t an attempt to resurrect an old series. It’s something new that pushes the systems and creative mayhem from Original Sin and combines them with the rules from D&D.
PC Gamer Baldur’s Gate 3 Early Access review
Baldur’s Gate 3 is its own game. And so far it is living up to the expectations of fans excited for a modern sequel to their beloved classic.
It looks pretty, but it doesn’t hold punches
I still remember watching the livestream from PAX East 2020 when Swen Vincke showed off the game for the first time. He attempted to play through the beginning of the game which involved a simple encounter with low-level monsters. Swen wanted to demonstrate some of the battle mechanics they were proud of. But in true Baldur’s Gate fashion, his party was wiped out by those low-level monsters at the start of the game.
The crowd went wild.
And I remember laughing out loud and thinking, “A party wipe in the first battle?! This is definitely Baldur’s Gate.”
The Baldur’s Gate 3 Full Release Future is… Unclear
We have a release year, but no date yet so things may change as 2023 approaches. However, last summer Swen did state in an interview with Gamespot, “We are really trying to get the game done by next year,” and “It’s not gonna release this year for sure.”
So he was willing to state back then that they weren’t ready. If he’s confident enough now to give a year, then I imagine it’s because they’ve made significant progress. Maybe he does indeed see the end.
I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to many party wipes. The Baldur’s Gate 3 full release can’t get here soon enough.
HAVE YOU PLAYED BALDUR’S GATE 3 YET? ARE YOU HOLDING OUT FOR THE FULL RELEASE? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT THIS THIRD ENTRY IN A CLASSIC SERIES?
LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE CHECK OUT TERRY’S AMAZING COVERAGE OF THE D&D DIRECT 2022 SHOWCASE!
