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Baldur's Gate 3 Is Massive Even Compared To Divinity: Original Sin 2
The Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access launch is going to be absolutely huge, even when compared to developer Larian Studios' previously gargantuan Early Access period for Divinity: Original Sin 2. Baldur's Gate 3 is the upcoming RPG from Larian Studios that will finally provide a new instalment in one of the most critically-acclaimed fantasy franchises of yesteryear, with Baldur's Gate 2's original release now a full two decades earlier in 2000.
The anticipation swirling around Baldur's Gate 3 hasn't abated since its initial reveal, and gameplay demonstrations that have embraced the game's unfinished nature have only endeared fans more towards the next chapter in the franchise's saga. Part of the reason consumers have been so tolerant of any hiccups during technical demonstrations is the good will towards Larian Studios - the developer's reputation is sterling among RPG fans after Divinity: Original Sin 2 surprised as one of the best modern-era RPGs in recent memory. With Baldur's Gate 3 set to pit players against iconic enemies while maintaining the identity of a Larian Studios RPG when it comes to dialogue, customization, and chaos, consumers have been eager to learn more about the game ahead of the Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access period.
As it turns out, however, there will be a slew of content available when the Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access period finally launches in late September. In a community update from Larian Studios shared on Steam, the developer went more in-depth about what fans can expect when it comes to how much of the game they'll get to try during Early Access. Given the success of Divinity: Original Sin 2's Early Access period, Larian Studios chose to frame the Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access using it as a comparison, and there are some impressive figures. Here are the comparisons, courtesy of Larian Studios:
- Amount of Combat: 22 instances in Divinity: Original Sin 2 Early Access vs. 80 instances in Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access
- Amount of Dialogue Lines in English: 17,600 in Divinity: Original Sin 2 Early Access vs. 45, 980 in Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access
- Amount of Characters: 142 in Divinity: Original Sin 2 Early Access vs. 596 in Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access
- Amount of Spells/Actions Available: 69 in Divinity: Original Sin 2 Early Access vs. 146 in Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access
It goes without saying that these numbers are gaudy for Early Access, but that doesn't necessarily convey just how detailed some of these permutations are. In an example shared in the same post, Larian outlines how one spell - Speak with Dead - has been implemented in such a way that every corpse a player finds during their adventure has something different or interesting to say. The post states that a single play-through of Early Access will last between 20-25 hours.
Of course, all of that detail has the potential to be overwhelming, which is another way that the Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access period will be a useful barometer for the game's health. If players become overwhelmed easily even before the game is finished, it will be an indication for Larian Studios to scale back the permutations, or at least introduce them more gently. That likely won't be an issue, though, as the type of player that Baldur's Gate 3 appeals to will revel in the sheer number of options present. With a huge Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access content well to draw from, there's going to be a lot of feedback on the game in the near future for those still on the fence about it, too, so come September, everyone will have a much clearer picture of the future of the franchise.
Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access on September 30 for PC via Steam.
