Anyone played bg3? If so can someone explain me why it is so popular?

[Seweryn]

Hi all,
So i am a middle aged guy. I will be hitting my 40s next year.
I am telling this because I wanted to make a good introduced to this topic and explain from where I am coming from.
So my experience in CRPGs comes from such classics as Baldur's Gate 1/2 and Fallout 1/2.
After that, i had the pleasure of playing Planescape Torment, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights - the classics.
Next i played games like Morrowind and Gothic 1 (which was the first game that introduced a fully voiced npcs conversation - every npc and every conversation was voice-acted).
After that, I had the pleasure of experiencing Kotor 1&2, oblivion. dragon age origins, witcher 1, etc.
I also dabbled in Divinity Original Sin 1 and Divinity Original Sin 2 but to this day I do not get why they are so praised. The story was good but darn combat gets so boring, at least for me; every encounter drags for so long, it even got to the point I was avoiding every combat encounter. Up to this day i do not get why people praise turn-based combat in RPGs so much, do not get me wrong I love turn-based combat in strategy games like Civilisation or Call to Power.
I moded the original bg series. I combined bg 1 & 2 into Baldurs Gate trilogy. I was playing with mods like Northern Tales of the Sword Coast, Dark Side of the Sword Coast, The Secret of Bone Hill, The Drizzt Saga, etc.
When it comes to modding I played the most popular Nwn 1 modules like Swordflight, etc. I also loved creating my own portraits for baldurs gate/icewind dale.
Since I was already a long-time dnd fan, I was excited about bg3.
Unfortunately, it tipped all the wrong boxes, only turns-based combat, looked so similar to Divinity Original Sin, small number of companions, had rewritten story of such characters like Viconia, it was created with modified 5th edition dnd version which I am not fond of.
On the one hand, it has great story and characters like Dragon Age origins but it lacks in quality of life department like search feature in the inventory.
When I compare bg 3 to wotr, mechanics-wise, wotr wins every time.
In bg3 you cannot butcher your character if you make wrong choices.
On top of that wotr offers tons of character customization aka archetypes, not to mention it has mythic path progression which allows you to become a god-like being. It adds a ton of gameplay depth not to mention it sounds epic from a story perspective.
On the opposite spectrum, bg3 resides because from what I have read you cannot create a lot of crazy character class combinations like in wotr, also it loves to throw a lot of jokes at you like stealing people's underwear. I do not want to comment on that.
Yes, bg3 looks and plays great but only because the budget for this game was much higher than for games like tyranny or wotr.
If tyranny or wotr had the same amount of money invested in them, i think they would offer a much better player experience.
So does bg3 has something to offer a dnd veteran like myself?
Thanks for the info.
Cheers,

P.S.
I know it looks like i bashed this game a lot but those features are important to me. Thanks for understanding.
Thanks for hearing me out.

 

[GrayJedi AntiProPaladin]

you might want to check out YouTube for many videos by searching phrases such as
"Totally busted Baldur's Gate 3 builds" (pure or multi-class)
"Become god-like character in BG3"
"Using your environment and surrounding objects for combat tactics"....
And many recommended other youtube videos stemming from those

Also if u watch many different content creators for several hours...they actually fly thru turn-based combat at fairly brisk pace...

 

[GrayJedi AntiProPaladin]

but really tho it's OK to not like certain game or mechanics or whatnot....even if it's Not the popular view, even if said game won nearly all the awards categories one recent year and "raised the bar"

it's totally OK that it's just Not your cup of tea... no harm no foul

 

[Seweryn]

you might want to check out YouTube for many videos by searching phrases such as
"Totally busted Baldur's Gate 3 builds" (pure or multi-class)
"Become god-like character in BG3"
"Using your environment and surrounding objects for combat tactics"....
And many recommended other youtube videos stemming from those

Also if u watch many different content creators for several hours...they actually fly thru turn-based combat at fairly brisk pace...

but really tho it's OK to not like certain game or mechanics or whatnot....even if it's Not the popular view, even if said game won nearly all the awards categories one recent year and "raised the bar"

it's totally OK that it's just Not your cup of tea... no harm no foul

I watched tons of bg3 videos.
My problem with most youtube content creators is that they are usually lying.
When i was watching wow videos most of people were saying things like i have been playing this game since beta and other lies.
In case of bg3 people are saying how i love turn-based combat. i always i love turn base combat, how it is the best ever.
I hate that.
They are the same people who played at a ton of action games and say how much they love them.
Most of them are ***-kissers. They are only saying this because game is very popular.

 

[The_Apocalypse]

When i was watching wow videos most of people were saying things like i have been playing this game since beta and other lies.

I've been playing DDO since 2006.
Old forum account Pay attention to the join date
My problem is that my memory sux azz. I've forgotten more than I know about this game

 

[RangerOne]

I had played the earlier Baldur's Gate games and enjoyed them very much. I enjoy turned based games as well of RPGs. What I liked about BG3 in relation to DDO was getting further insight into Shar and Selune. As far as the rules, just as I had to adjust from AD&D to adapt to 3.5, I adapted to the 5th edition for the game. It's okay to like more than one game (and equally okay not to like certain ones. )

 

[Seweryn]

I've been playing DDO since 2006.
Old forum account Pay attention to the join date
My problem is that my memory sux azz. I've forgotten more than I know about this game

I didn't want to offend or attack you in any way. I just saying that is the experience I had with YouTube content creators.

I had played the earlier Baldur's Gate games and enjoyed them very much. I enjoy turned based games as well of RPGs. What I liked about BG3 in relation to DDO was getting further insight into Shar and Selune. As far as the rules, just as I had to adjust from AD&D to adapt to 3.5, I adapted to the 5th edition for the game. It's okay to like more than one game (and equally okay not to like certain ones. )

So, how did you make the switch from real-time to turn-based combat? Original Black Isle Studios games were in real-time with pause while most of the modern isometric crpgs are turn-based or at least have a turn-based option.
Yes, I do not like 5e dnd but the bigger gripe for me is the turn-based combat.

 

[DDO Gaming]

So, how did you make the switch from real-time to turn-based combat? Original Black Isle Studios games were in real-time with pause while most of the modern isometric crpgs are turn-based or at least have a turn-based option.
Yes, I do not like 5e dnd but the bigger gripe for me is the turn-based combat.

Raid/Legends is turnbased and I play both DDO and turnbased so I'm not sure what the problem is

 

[Lacci]

When I compare bg 3 to wotr, mechanics-wise, wotr wins every time.

Not sure if I missed it in your post, read it twice, but what is "wotr" ? I have no idea which game you mean.

Of couse, many things are down to personal preference, and when you don´t like turn-based combat, there´s not much you can do. But I mean, D&D is inherently turn-based...
I love turn-based combat and in my opinion, BG3 is by far the best D&D game I´ve ever played (and yes, I´ve been playing games since the 80s and this includes pool of radiance, Eye of the Beholder and the first BG)
What stands out for me in BG3 are the voice actors, the music and the amount of freedom the game gives you. It´s incredible how often you can think outside the box and the game provides you with an appropriate response.
The game mechanics in my opinion are very solid, the build options for characters are enough for me, the world itself offers plenty of stuff to explore and play again in a different way. The story sucked me in from the beginning until the end.

At the same time, game performance is great, it´s a modern engine, has very few bugs, there are no shady monetization shenanigans, no game as a service crap, and generally a developer that cares about his product. They ran an increadibly good marketing campaign.

I (personally) don´t see what´s not to love about the game.

 

[Titus Ovid]

It is ok to not like something popular.
I think Harry Potter is boring. There, bring out the pitchforks.

My liking of game mechanics change with every game. Here I like turn-based, there not so much. I chose the one I like and play it. Try it sometime.

Cheers,
Titus

 

[Uska]

while DDO'S multi player aspect isn't as fun as it use to be it's still better than BG3 in the early day's of DDO it reminded me of table top sometimes

 

[Seweryn]

Not sure if I missed it in your post, read it twice, but what is "wotr" ? I have no idea which game you mean.

Of couse, many things are down to personal preference, and when you don´t like turn-based combat, there´s not much you can do. But I mean, D&D is inherently turn-based...
I love turn-based combat and in my opinion, BG3 is by far the best D&D game I´ve ever played (and yes, I´ve been playing games since the 80s and this includes pool of radiance, Eye of the Beholder and the first BG)
What stands out for me in BG3 are the voice actors, the music and the amount of freedom the game gives you. It´s incredible how often you can think outside the box and the game provides you with an appropriate response.
The game mechanics in my opinion are very solid, the build options for characters are enough for me, the world itself offers plenty of stuff to explore and play again in a different way. The story sucked me in from the beginning until the end.

At the same time, game performance is great, it´s a modern engine, has very few bugs, there are no shady monetization shenanigans, no game as a service crap, and generally a developer that cares about his product. They ran an increadibly good marketing campaign.

I (personally) don´t see what´s not to love about the game.

Wotr - Wrath of the Righteous
I like turn-based combat since i play a lot of strategy games like endless legend, endless space, call to power, civilisation, etc.
How can you say d&d is turn-based? Practically every famous dnd game is real-time with pause.
What do you mean by freedom?
Turn-based combat takes usually much more time than real-time with pause combat.
I tried playing games that offer both system and 100% of the time rtwp came on top.
The game is too goofy for my tastes. It doesn't take itself seriously. Which I do not like in rpg setting.
I love games with silly narratives like Borderlands.
There are a lot of games that do not have shady monetization shenanigans. Games that do usually are not proper crpgs anyway so it doesn't concern us anyway.
I will use a lot of wotr examples since i think it is one of the best crpgs produced to this day despite many game flaws.
The strength of wotr comes from many gameplay mechanics. The game doesn't focus on interacting with the environment but rather on great class mechanics. Every class has at least 5 archetypes not to mention mythic progression which allows you to become a supernatural being.
I personally do not play tabletop d&d. Mostly because most of the people I know are not interested in them.

 

[Lacci]

Wotr - Wrath of the Righteous

Ah, Pathfinder, I only played the first one.

How can you say d&d is turn-based? Practically every famous dnd game is real-time with pause.

Well, that´s what D&D has been for decades: you roll your dice and when your number comes up, you take your turn.

What do you mean by freedom?

In general, the game doesn´t tell you how to do stuff. While the story is mostly linear, how you approach anything in the game isn´t.
I like this idea of "Here is the situation, here are the tools, do with it what you like."
You choose who you ally with, who you´d rather kill, you can be the hero or the villain, you can help people or betray them if you prefer, etc.
If I´m not mistaken, every NPC in this game can also die, even your companions. And you can also completely ignore your companions and play without them.
I don´t think I´ve ever played a game that did all of that on such a scale.

The game is too goofy for my tastes. It doesn't take itself seriously.

This I don´t understand. I found BG3 plenty serious and not goofy at all.

 

[Seweryn]

Well, that´s what D&D has been for decades: you roll your dice and when your number comes up, you take your turn.

I think we are talking about two different things. You are speaking about tabletop. Yes, the tabletop was and always will be turn-based but games like Neverwinter Nights, Icewind Dale, Planescape Torment, and baldurs gate were real-time with pause. So from my perspective turn-based is a new phenomenon on CRPGs since classics as Kotor 1&2, dragon age origins were real-time with pause. Yes, they simulated turn-based combat but practically they all are real-time games.

In general, the game doesn´t tell you how to do stuff. While the story is mostly linear, how you approach anything in the game isn´t.
I like this idea of "Here is the situation, here are the tools, do with it what you like."
You choose who you ally with, who you´d rather kill, you can be the hero or the villain, you can help people or betray them if you prefer, etc.
If I´m not mistaken, every NPC in this game can also die, even your companions. And you can also completely ignore your companions and play without them.
I don´t think I´ve ever played a game that did all of that on such a scale.

You can do all that in skyrim or morrowind. I wouldn't considered skyrim an rpg. They are good games but i wouldn't call them good RPGs.

Yes, from that perspective bg3 destroys wotr. You do not have a lot of freedom in wotr since you are leading a crusade. Which means, that you are mostly thrust into many situations. There are many choices you make during your playthrough, unfortunately, they are not as impactful and numerous as in bg3.
What makes wotr awesome, in my book, are class variations that this game offers. I do not want to go into much detail since i do not want to spoil the game too much for you.
Wotr is more similar to ddo in this regard.

This I don´t understand. I found BG3 plenty serious and not goofy at all.

I would recommend a video by Mortismal Gaming. He explains the differences between Baldurs Gate 3 and Wotr.
It is hard for me to go into details since i didn't play bg3.

 

[GrayJedi AntiProPaladin]

Baldur's Gate 3 seems to me closer to Real-Time with Pause ....than "turn-based combat" If looking at the plethora of videos of many various experts with the speed they play... it's Not unlike Expert Chess Players each make their moves in turn so fast, they actually use a clock to show how fast they make each move, that it feels more like "real-time with pause"

(it's the Non-experts (such as myself, casual player, included) with less than hundreds or thousands of hours of playtime experience, that needs to slow things down to read and consider what spells or actions or effects or items to choose from, and how to position the characters....similar to like Chess)

 

[The_Apocalypse]

The original D&D video games (Pool of Radiance and such) were turn-based.

 

[unbongwah]

Yes, the tabletop was and always will be turn-based but games like Neverwinter Nights, Icewind Dale, Planescape Torment, and baldurs gate were real-time with pause.

And before any of those games were purely turn-based D&D CRPGs like the SSI Gold Box series.

So from my perspective turn-based is a new phenomenon on CRPGs since classics as Kotor 1&2, dragon age origins were real-time with pause.

Get off my lawn, ya young whippersnapper!

 

[PersonMan]

I was not impressed. Basically the game is similar to other story based games where dialogues with NPCs heavily affect the progress of the game. For whatever reason BG3 decided that whoever initiated the conversation (or had it initiated against them) is the only person who can talk. You can pickpocket the NPC while your friend talks, you can listen in and some abilities can be used to augment your friend's conversation, but god forbid that you want to actually talk to the NPC because you are playing the character with good social skills.

In my despondency I turned to collecting and stacking boxes/crates/barrels.

 

[Seweryn]

The original D&D video games (Pool of Radiance and such) were turn-based.

I got my first pc when I was in 5th grade aka at the beginning of the '90s plus i do not even know if Pool of Radiance was released in my country.
I experienced the Pool of radiance through nwn 2 module Pool of Radiance Remastered - NWN 2 module .

 

[Aelastiar]

So many words lol. BG3 is popular because you can have lots of sex in the game. It's that simple.