Baldur's Gate III has passed the All-Time time peak players of Apex Legends and entered into the Top 10 Highest Players for a game in the History of Steam. 630,000+ concurrent players and climbing
I'm currently playing through it, just reached the underdark. I have to say it really is the best D&D style game I've ever played. They really handle a lot of the mechanics very well. I've been glued to it (15hrs playtime at time of posting)
I'm also playing it on a controller via steamlink (and even though steam link has a lot of issues) the controller support is next level for such a complex ui, there are a lot of options and it gives you a completely different UI on controller than it does on keyboard and mouse. The keyboard option is much easier, as to be expected, but the fact I can seamlessly play it at my desk and lounging on the couch is really a blessing I didn't expect for this style RPG.
The story is, so far, fantastic. It has a lot of the divinity feel, though it is all voice acted. The companions are fun and compelling I can't wait to unravel each of their stories. The main story is just delightful and twisted. The gameplay and combat is very D&D 5e and is super fun, though it's very much divinity combat V3 and both divinity games I've played excelled here.
Finally and one of my favourite features. I paid £50 on steam for the game (most AAA titles are closer to £60) and there's no in game store, no mechanics making me spend more on the game, I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything without opening my wallet, it's refreshing. I've not checked yet, but divinity has mods adding classes and even content for future playthroughs I'm really hoping this is the same and the community add to the game for when I decide to play it a second and maybe even third time.
All in all I would very much recommend this game, even if you're not a d&d player, you don't really have to understand all the mechanics to play, just read options as you level your characters and pick what sounds the most appealing to you. There is the option to respec your toons as you play though it costs in game gold, which isn't hard to come by.
I started the game a few times in early access, though I saw it in YouTube playthroughs never made it to the underdark, mostly wandered around and saw a new patch soon so went on to other games. Just started again and was surprised how short they made the initial ship area, unless I did something odd, it's quite short compared to beta and highly appreciated. Played some of DOS2 and this game is a noticably a more developed product. Not to say DOS2 was bad or anything, for those that may ponder picking it up, very similar overall but this feels like a DnD game for sure. I'd say it's a proper successor to the original Baldurs Gates, though never made it too far so I think it's a plus if they got the feeling that early.
I'm doing my part by leaving the game running for hours as I try to balance playing it and taking care of my baby
I got a 3 month old. I know how you feel.
It gets even better if you consider that a significant share of people play it through GOG.
Wow! Let me just launch the game while I’m out just to add to the numbers. Wonderful game, deserves to be GOTY.
Never played Baldur's gate or even heard of the game outside of D&D. Should I play 1 and 2 before getting 3?
Nah no need, though they are good games if you can get past their age. You just won't get any references to the old games but they're inconsequential to the plot. If you want there's some pretty good little story breakdowns of 1 and 2 on YouTube that'll give you the gist if you want the full picture.
If I have never played D&D, should I get the game?
Yes, it's an excellent introduction.
If you like role play heavy RPGs and like or don't mind turn based combat, it's great. You don't need to be a DND lover to understand the setting or story, they do rather a good job so far giving you enough lore info to understand what's happening.
If you like turn based RPGs or heavily narrative driven stories, sure. DND is just the setting, if you've played final fantasy or something you'll be fine.
remasters of 1 and 2 are also worth playing by the way
Dammit, I'm away right now with spotty internet so I've been playing offline. I'm not doing my part! Looking forward to contributing many hours of playtime in the coming weeks/months though. Having a blast so far and I've barely scratched the surface.
I'm confused, what armor do I use as a Monk? Should I just unequip my weapon?
Monk uses no armour. instead, they get a bonus to their AC (defense) based on their wisdom. As for weapons, you can use any weapons that a monk is proficient in, and still have the ability to use your flurry of blows and bonus action unarmed attack. Or, you can go full Bruce Lee and just use your fists, either is fine ;)
Yeah I've been using the basic armor and using a quarterstaff. It still gives me a free flurry hit every turn. I think it does more damage then just my fists. Fists don't make much sense to me though, since you don't really equip better fists and you probably shouldn't have regular fists outclass a legendary weapon.
I'm trying to find more drip for my dude tho. I got to the hollow and no real equipment for me yet. Also damn, if you don't have animal speak skill you definitely should get it asap. I don't and I'm missing tons of content.
There are time you are simply lost in that vast amount sea of information cause all the current wiki(from EA) about some stuff aren't really accurate. In my short EA and new play through, there is quite a bit difference
And I just found out yesterday you can quick save mid conversation.(either for rerolls or trying to get more approval from your party members.)
Pretty surprised by Baldur's Gate getting so many players. I knew it'd be successful but considering how comparatively few people played Divinity Original Sin, it's a huge jump
D&D as a brand and how it’s blown up in recent years is contributing a lot to it. Especially people, like me, who get to play once a month with their group. I need an itch scratched and this game is a good way to do it!
I played divinity. The fact that it wasnt voice acted made it feel more like a chore to play. So. Much. Reading. It was a decebt game though, the few hours i played.. just nothing that made me feel like i needed to return to it
Maybe i should give it a go, at some point. I do have it on steam anyway
I feel the opposite. I am not a fan of fully voice acted games in most situations because I can read infinitely faster than the voice actors talk, and half my time is spent either sitting there waiting for them to finish talking or mashing a reading a single sentence at a time. I was very disappointed when Disco Elysium didn’t include a way to disable voice acting with their definitive edition update, instantly made for a worse game to me.
Divinity Original Sin 2 was fully voice acted.
I think they added full voiceover to divinity original sin in an update.