Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 is a role-playing video game with single-player and cooperative multiplayer elements. Players can create one or more characters and form a party along with a number of pre-generated characters to explore the game's story. Optionally, players are able to take one of their characters and team up online with other players to form a party.{{cite web |last1=Wilde |first1=Tyler |date=7 October 2020 |title=How to play Baldur's Gate 3 co-op, and whether or not you should |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-multiplayer-co-op-guide/ |website=PC Gamer |language=en |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816093635/https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-multiplayer-co-op-guide/ |url-status=live }}

The game implements a flexible quest system with various approaches to resolving most quests. Players can eliminate almost any non-player character, regardless of their importance to the storyline, yet still continue to advance through the game. The game is divided into three acts, each taking place in a distinct region of the world. Within these acts, the game adopts a non-linear format, permitting players to tackle quests in virtually any sequence.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/baldurs-gate-3-review-let-freedom-reign/1900-6418131/|title=Baldur's Gate 3 Review – Let Freedom Reign|last=Dekker|first=Jake|date=6 October 2023|website=GameSpot|access-date=11 October 2023|archive-date=11 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011185317/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/baldurs-gate-3-review-let-freedom-reign/1900-6418131/|url-status=live}}

File:Baldur's Gate 3 first combat encounter.jpg of the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game.]]

Unlike previous games in the Baldur's Gate series, Baldur's Gate 3 has turn-based combat, similar to Larian's earlier games Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin II; all combat is based on the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules.{{cite magazine |last=Dingman |first=Hayden |date=2019-06-06 |title=Baldur's Gate III is finally happening, 19 years later |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3401079/baldurs-gate-iii-is-finally-happening-19-years-later.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021082142/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3401079/baldurs-gate-iii-is-finally-happening-19-years-later.html |archive-date=2020-10-21 |access-date=2019-06-07 |magazine=PC World |issn=0737-8939 |oclc=1117065657}} Most mechanics and spells are taken from the tabletop role-playing game version of Dungeons & Dragons, although some are modified or omitted due to the adaptation of the game into a role-playing video game format.{{cite web |last1=Toro-McCue |first1=Jason |title=Baldur's Gate 3 vs. Dungeons & Dragons 5E: What's different? |url=https://dotesports.com/baldurs-gate/news/baldurs-gate-3-vs-dungeons-dragons-5e-whats-different |website=Dot Esports |access-date=13 October 2023 |date=10 September 2023 |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012203251/https://dotesports.com/baldurs-gate/news/baldurs-gate-3-vs-dungeons-dragons-5e-whats-different |url-status=live }} There are 12 character classes, which are further subdivided into 46 subclasses. Each class focuses on a different aspect of the combat system, such as the wizard, who focuses on casting a large variety of spells or the barbarian, who focuses on unarmoured melee combat.{{cite web |last1=Stonham |first1=Em |title=Classes and Subclasses – Baldur's Gate III Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/baldurs-gate-3/Classes_and_Subclasses |website=IGN |date=6 June 2019 |access-date=20 October 2023 |language=en |archive-date=19 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019235700/https://www.ign.com/wikis/baldurs-gate-3/Classes_and_Subclasses |url-status=live }} The player can also select more than one class per character, which is referred to as multiclassing, allowing the player to build their character in many different and unique ways.{{cite web |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Multiclass and classes explained |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/baldurs-gate-3-multiclass-classes-explained-9351 |website=Eurogamer.net |access-date=20 October 2023 |language=en |date=4 August 2023 |archive-date=27 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827154641/https://www.eurogamer.net/baldurs-gate-3-multiclass-classes-explained-9351 |url-status=live }}

The game incorporates a roster of ten companion characters who are available for players to enlist into their party. Each of these characters has a personal story and a narrative that the player can explore further. The player can develop relationships with companion characters based on plot and dialogue choices made. Some of the companion characters are only accessible provided that the player makes specific plot or dialogue choices.{{cite web |last1=Orr |first1=Jessica |title=All companions in Baldur's Gate 3 and where to find all companions |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/all-companions-baldurs-gate-3-where-to-find-location-recruit-9351 |website=Eurogamer.net |access-date=20 October 2023 |language=en |date=8 August 2023 |archive-date=27 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827154642/https://www.eurogamer.net/all-companions-baldurs-gate-3-where-to-find-location-recruit-9351 |url-status=live }}

All characters, both major and minor, are fully voice acted and motion captured, amounting to approximately 1.5 million words of performance capture.{{cite web |last1=Kuhnke |first1=Oisin |title=Baldur's Gate 3's performances are so good because all 248 voice actors also did the motion capture |url=https://www.vg247.com/baldurs-gate-3-performances-motion-capture |website=VG247 |access-date=20 October 2023 |language=en |date=27 August 2023 |archive-date=29 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829060249/https://www.vg247.com/baldurs-gate-3-performances-motion-capture |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Dealessandri |first1=Marie |title=Larian plays dungeon master for a new era of Baldur's Gate |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/larian-plays-dungeon-master-for-a-new-era-of-baldurs-gate |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=20 October 2023 |language=en |date=27 February 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727161611/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/larian-plays-dungeon-master-for-a-new-era-of-baldurs-gate |url-status=live }}

The game features a limited free floating camera, allowing the player to play the game in any camera ranging from fully third-person camera to an isometric top-down view.{{cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Lowell |title=Baldur's Gate 3 camera controls |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/baldurs-gate-3/camera-controls |website=PCGamesN |access-date=13 October 2023 |date=8 August 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031202115/https://www.pcgamesn.com/baldurs-gate-3/camera-controls |url-status=live }} The game's user interface has both a mouse and keyboard and a controller mode. In both modes, the player can use spells and combat actions, manage inventory, see the map, display player and companion character's statistics and select various gameplay elements such as allied and enemy characters.{{cite web |last1=Purchese |first1=Robert |title=I'm beginning to prefer Baldur's Gate 3 on PS5 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/im-beginning-to-prefer-baldurs-gate-3-on-ps5 |website=Eurogamer.net |access-date=13 October 2023 |language=en |date=6 September 2023 |archive-date=27 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827154642/https://www.eurogamer.net/im-beginning-to-prefer-baldurs-gate-3-on-ps5 |url-status=live }}

The game has modding support, although not all features and tools are available at launch, and modding options are expected to expand with subsequent updates.{{cite web |last1=Tyler |first1=Wilde |title=What's next for Baldur's Gate 3: over 1,000 'fixes and tweaks,' official mod tools, requested features |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/whats-next-for-baldurs-gate-3-over-1000-fixes-and-tweaks-official-mod-tools-requested-features/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=13 October 2023 |language=en |date=16 August 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015041707/https://www.pcgamer.com/whats-next-for-baldurs-gate-3-over-1000-fixes-and-tweaks-official-mod-tools-requested-features/ |url-status=live }} Many mods are available from the community, allowing the player to change various aspects of the game.{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Danielle |title=Best Baldur's Gate 3 mods |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/baldurs-gate-3/mods |website=PCGamesN |access-date=13 October 2023 |date=2 October 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015212304/https://www.pcgamesn.com/baldurs-gate-3/mods |url-status=live }}

Baldur's Gate 3 takes place in the fictional world of the Forgotten Realms during the year of 1492 DR, over 120 years after the events of the previous game, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, and months after the events of the playable Dungeons & Dragons 5e module, Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. The story is set primarily in the Sword Coast in western Faerûn, encompassing a forested area that includes the Emerald Grove, a druid grove dedicated to the deity Silvanus; Moonrise Towers and the Shadow-Cursed Lands, which are covered by an unnatural and sentient darkness that can only be penetrated through magical means; and Baldur's Gate, the largest and most affluent city in the region, as well as its outlying suburb of Rivington. Other places the player visits include the Underdark, the Astral Plane and Avernus.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/baldurs-gate-3/lore | title = Baldur's Gate 3 lore – story, setting, timeline | first = Lowell | last = Bell | date = 4 August 2023 | accessdate = 8 December 2023 | work = PCGamesN | archive-date = 23 September 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230923153810/https://www.pcgamesn.com/baldurs-gate-3/lore | url-status = live }}

The game is fully narrated by voice actress Amelia Tyler, who acts as the Dungeon Master, describing the world and the player's actions throughout the story.{{cite web | url =https://www.nme.com/features/gaming-features/boss-level-2023-amelia-tyler-baldurs-gate-3-3550385| title = How 'Baldur's Gate 3' got narrator Amelia Tyler through "very dark times" | first = Andy | last = Brown | date = 29 November 2023 | accessdate = 18 December 2023 | work = NME}} The player character can either be created from scratch by the player, chosen from six pre-made "origin characters", or a customisable seventh origin character known as The Dark Urge (Neil Roberts).{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/baldurs-gate-3/dark-urge | title = Baldur's Gate 3 The Dark Urge origin explained | first = Dave | last = Irwin | date = 4 August 2023 | accessdate = 8 November 2023 | work = PCGamesN | archive-date = 4 December 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231204232342/https://www.pcgamesn.com/baldurs-gate-3/dark-urge | url-status = live }} All six pre-made origin characters can be recruited as part of the player character's party. They include Lae'zel (Devora Wilde), a githyanki fighter; Shadowheart (Jennifer English), a half-elf cleric; Astarion (Neil Newbon), a high elf vampire rogue; Gale (Tim Downie), a human wizard; Wyll (Theo Solomon), a human warlock; and Karlach (Samantha Béart), a tiefling barbarian.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/baldurs-gate-3s-early-access-has-slipped-to-september/ | title = Baldur's Gate 3's Early Access has slipped to September | first = Andy | last = Robinson | date = 18 August 2020 | accessdate = 8 December 2023 | work = Video Games Chronicle | archive-date = 12 August 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230812020032/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/baldurs-gate-3s-early-access-has-slipped-to-september/ | url-status = live }}{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-promises-level-12-cap-new-races-22-new-subclasses-and-whopping-174-hours-of-cinematics-in-community-update/ | title = Baldur's Gate 3 promises level 12 cap, new races, 22 new subclasses, and whopping 174 hours of cinematics in community update | first = Harvey | last = Randell | date = 29 June 2023 | accessdate = 8 December 2023 | work = PC Gamer | archive-date = 2 July 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230702111838/https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-promises-level-12-cap-new-races-22-new-subclasses-and-whopping-174-hours-of-cinematics-in-community-update/ | url-status = live }} Four other characters may join the player's party: Halsin (Dave Jones), a wood elf druid; Jaheira (Tracy Wiles), a half-elf druid; Minsc (Matthew Mercer), a human ranger who carries a hamster named Boo with him; and Minthara (Emma Gregory), a drow paladin. Jaheira and Minsc previously appeared in both Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn.{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/23814469/baldurs-gate-3-story-so-far-dungeons-dragons-dnd | title = We condensed years of D&D storylines to get you ready for Baldur's Gate 3 | first = Kazuma | last = Hashimoto | date = 1 August 2023 | accessdate = 8 November 2023 | work = Polygon | archive-date = 15 November 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231115193606/https://www.polygon.com/23814469/baldurs-gate-3-story-so-far-dungeons-dragons-dnd | url-status = live }}

The primary antagonists of the game are the Absolute (Cissy Jones), and her three chosen followers General Ketheric Thorm (J. K. Simmons), Lord Enver Gortash (Jason Isaacs), and Orin the Red (Maggie Robertson). Additional major characters include: Withers (Stephen Boxer), a mysterious undead entity who supports the player in camp; Raphael (Andrew Wincott), a devil with a penchant for making deals; Elminster (Crispin Redman), a renowned wizard and mentor to Gale; Auntie Ethel (Rena Valeh), a fussy trader of potions and sundries; Bhaal (Doug Cockle), the God of Murder; Mystra (Jane Perry), Goddess of Magic; Shar (Harriet Hare), Goddess of Darkness; Volo (Stephen Hogan), an unlucky writer; Mizora (Tamaryn Payne), a manipulative devil with a connection to Wyll; Isobel (Mia Foo), a half elf cleric working with Jaheira; Dame Aylin (Helen Keeley), Isobel's partner and an aasimar paladin; Ulder Ravengard (Chris Jarman), Wyll's father and Duke of Baldur's Gate; Kith'rak Voss (Richard Cotton), a githyanki knight; Dammon (Frazer Blaxland), a tiefling blacksmith, and The Emperor (Scott Joseph), a mind flayer with a key role in the main story. Sceleritas Fel (Brian Bowles), a fiend and manservant to the Dark Urge, only appears if the player has chosen to create a Dark Urge character. Viconia DeVir (Jess Nesling), a drow cleric and Mother Superior serving Shar who is integral to Shadowheart's storyline, previously appeared as a companion in Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn where she was voiced by Grey DeLisle.

The protagonist wakes up inside a giant dimension-crossing illithid (mind flayer) flying ship. They are infected with a parasitic tadpole that enthrals and transforms people into illithids; however, the transformation does not happen, and the ship comes under attack from githyanki warriors riding red dragons. The mind flayer crew teleports the ship to the Nine Hells and are attacked by an army of Devils. The protagonist is freed during the fighting and steers the damaged ship to Faerûn, where it crashes. They encounter other survivors of the wreck, all likewise implanted with tadpoles.

The party seeks to remove their parasites through numerous avenues, all of which fail to provide a cure. They are saved from the tadpoles' overwhelming psychic force by a "Dream Visitor" inside Shadowheart's mysterious prism, a device that is sought after by the githyanki. The protagonist then becomes involved in the fate of the Emerald Grove, where local druids and tiefling refugees face off against the goblin horde that worships a cult of the "Absolute". Once the party either sacks or saves the grove, they travel through the mountains or the Underdark to reach Moonrise Towers, a cultist stronghold, in search of a new cure.

The protagonist seeks sanctuary from the curse around Moonrise Towers in a tavern called the Last Light, held by a group of tiefling refugees, Flaming Fist conscripts and Harpers. General Ketheric Thorm, the reigning lord of Moonrise and Chosen of Myrkul, is using a relic named the "Nightsong" as an engine for his immortality. The party scours the depths of Moonrise in pursuit of the Nightsong, revealed to be Dame Aylin, a daughter of Selûne. After either slaying or freeing the Nightsong, the protagonist confronts Ketheric, as well as his cohorts—Orin the Red, the Chosen of Bhaal and Enver Gortash, the Chosen of Bane. Through their Netherstones and a mysterious crown, the triumvirate collectively controls the Absolute, revealed to be an Elder Brain, the ultimate form of the illithid race, and seeks to rule the Sword Coast by manipulating everyone infected with a tadpole. Orin and Gortash depart with the Elder Brain for Baldur's Gate, while the protagonist defeats Ketheric and claims his Netherstone.

The protagonist arrives at Baldur's Gate as Gortash and Orin attempt to pit them against the other, while the companions find closure for their personal quests. It is revealed that the "Dream Visitor" is, in fact, a visage taken by a renegade illithid called the Emperor, who resides within the prism and oversees the imprisonment of a powerful githyanki, Orpheus. Orpheus is the source of psionic resistance the party possesses against the Absolute, and the Emperor has been leveraging this in his favour. The protagonist eventually faces off against Gortash and Orin, assembling the Netherstones to subdue the Elder Brain. The Elder Brain, having anticipated the triumvirate and the protagonist's every move, overpowers the party before the Emperor comes to the rescue.

Realising that the Netherstones require an illithid wielder with Orpheus' powers to be effective, the protagonist either frees Orpheus and allows him to transform, which causes the Emperor to resign to his fate and join the Absolute, or has either the Emperor, a transformed Karlach or the player character consume Orpheus in order to see the mission through. After defeating the Elder Brain, the protagonist can choose to either kill it and every illithid tadpole with it, ending the threat forever, or betray their comrades and rule as the Absolute.

{{see also|List of Dungeons & Dragons video games{{!}}List of Dungeons & Dragons video games}}

File:Game Developers Choice Awards 2024 - Swen Vincke (cropped).jpg, Baldur's Gate 3 director and Larian Studios founder]]

The original Baldur's Gate game was developed by BioWare and Black Isle Studios, and published by Interplay Entertainment in 1998. The game used a licensed version of the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) rule set, specifically in the Forgotten Realms setting. The game's success led to a sequel, Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, and its expansion pack, as well as the Icewind Dale series and Planescape: Torment. After the success of the spinoff Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance by Snowblind Studios, Interplay announced plans to produce further sequels to the Baldur's Gate series.{{Cite web |date=20 March 2002 |title=Interplay Maintains License for Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale Franchises |url=http://interplay.com/investor/readpress.asp?CID=87 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021206045250/http://interplay.com/investor/readpress.asp?CID=87 |archive-date=6 December 2002 |access-date=4 October 2023}} A planned sequel developed by Black Isle Studios, Baldur's Gate III: The Black Hound, was cancelled in 2003. Black Isle Studios would develop Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance II before being shut down by Interplay in December 2003.{{cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |date=8 December 2003 |title=Interplay shuts down Black Isle Studios |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/fallout3/news_6085243.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613125717/http://gamespot.com/pc/rpg/fallout3/news_6085243.html |archive-date=13 June 2006 |access-date=13 June 2006 |website=GameSpot}} Further development on the series was halted due to a lawsuit between Interplay and Snowblind over the rights to the Dark Alliance trademark, and the Baldur's Gate trademark would revert to Atari.{{Cite web |title=SEC Info – Interplay Entertainment Corp – '10-K' for 12/31/05 – EX-10 |url=http://www.secinfo.com/d13nF9.vFs.c.htm |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=www.secinfo.com |archive-date=17 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117140217/http://www.secinfo.com/d13nF9.vFs.c.htm |url-status=live }}

Atari would publish Neverwinter Nights, developed by BioWare, in 2002 and Neverwinter Nights 2, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, founded by former members of Black Isle Studios, in 2007. After the release of Neverwinter Nights 2, Obsidian Entertainment founder Feargus Urquhart unsuccessfully approached Atari to develop a sequel to Baldur's Gate.{{Cite web |date=14 December 2012 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Was Almost Made Four Years Ago |url=https://kotaku.com/baldurs-gate-3-was-almost-made-four-years-ago-5967965 |access-date=4 October 2023 |work=Kotaku|first=Jason |last=Schreier|language=en |archive-date=8 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008045735/https://kotaku.com/baldurs-gate-3-was-almost-made-four-years-ago-5967965 |url-status=live }} Further attempts to develop a new Baldur's Gate were made by Brian Fargo, the founder of both Interplay and inXile Entertainment, as well as Beamdog, developers of enhanced ports of the original games and the standalone expansion Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear.{{Cite news |date=19 March 2012 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 is "our long-term goal", says Beamdog |language=en |work=Eurogamer |first=Fred |last=Dutton |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/baldurs-gate-3-is-our-long-term-goal-says-beamdog |access-date=4 October 2023 |archive-date=27 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827154642/https://www.eurogamer.net/baldurs-gate-3-is-our-long-term-goal-says-beamdog |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=MacCafferty |first=Ryan |date=18 June 2019 |title=Obsidian and inXile Both Tried to get the Rights to Baldur's Gate 3 – E3 2019 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/18/obsidian-and-inxile-both-tried-to-get-the-rights-to-baldurs-gate-3-a-e3-2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619015457/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/18/obsidian-and-inxile-both-tried-to-get-the-rights-to-baldurs-gate-3-a-e3-2019 |archive-date=19 June 2019 |access-date=18 June 2019 |website=IGN}}

Larian Studios were interested in making a sequel in the Baldur's Gate series for some time, having first approached Wizards of the Coast after their release of Divinity: Original Sin around 2014. At this time, Wizards of the Coast felt the studio was still too new to the industry to be trusted with the Baldur's Gate licence. Larian then developed Divinity: Original Sin II, which was released in September 2017. Pre-release materials related to the game impressed Wizards of the Coast, so they contacted Larian to ask if they still had interest in Baldur's Gate 3. Larian accepted, and while working to wrap up the release stage of development for Divinity: Original Sin II, a small group gathered to develop the design document to present to Wizards of the Coast with their ideas for the new Baldur's Gate.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Frasier |date=6 June 2019 |title=Larian was shot down the first time it wanted to make Baldur's Gate 3 |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/larian-was-shot-down-the-first-time-it-wanted-to-make-baldurs-gate-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609182504/https://www.pcgamer.com/larian-was-shot-down-the-first-time-it-wanted-to-make-baldurs-gate-3/ |archive-date=9 June 2019 |access-date=18 June 2019 |website=PC Gamer}}

File:Dungeons and Dragons game.jpg of the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game.]]

The game is based on the 5th-edition Dungeons & Dragons rule set, though it includes tweaks and modifications that Larian found necessary in adapting it to a video game. For example, the combat system is more in favour of the player than in the tabletop version, to make the game more enjoyable.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Frasier |date=6 June 2019 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 will combine the best of Divinity and D&D 5th Edition |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-will-combine-the-best-of-divinity-and-dandd-5th-edition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617181634/https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-will-combine-the-best-of-divinity-and-dandd-5th-edition/ |archive-date=17 June 2019 |access-date=18 June 2019 |website=PC Gamer}}

Larian Studios teased Baldur's Gate 3 in the week prior to E3 2019.{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=30 May 2019 |title=Divinity: Original Sin studio teases new game, signs point to Baldur's Gate 3 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/30/18646090/baldurs-gate-3-larian-studios-teaser |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609213250/https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/30/18646090/baldurs-gate-3-larian-studios-teaser |archive-date=9 June 2019 |access-date=18 June 2019 |website=Polygon}} They formally revealed it during Google's presentation on the Stadia platform just ahead of E3, confirming its release for both Windows and Stadia.{{Cite web |last=Grant |first=Christopher |date=6 June 2019 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 announced for Stadia launch, watch the trailer here |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/6/18655160/baldurs-gate-3-trailer-release-date-google-stadia-larian-studios |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619081054/https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/6/18655160/baldurs-gate-3-trailer-release-date-google-stadia-larian-studios |archive-date=19 June 2019 |access-date=18 June 2019 |website=Polygon}} The tabletop adventure Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus was published by Wizards of the Coast in September 2019, and has been described as a "prequel" to Baldur's Gate 3. The Descent into Avernus adventure takes place roughly 100 years after the events of Baldur's Gate II, and the story of Baldur's Gate 3 takes place immediately following the events of the Descent into Avernus tabletop module.{{Cite web |last=Hoffer |first=Christian |date=11 June 2019 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Clarifies Relationship Between Descent Into Avernus and Baldur's Gate III |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/06/11/baldurs-gate-iii-dungeons-and-dragons-descent-into-avernus/ |access-date=28 December 2019 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en |archive-date=27 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827154644/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/baldurs-gate-iii-dungeons-and-dragons-descent-into-avernus/ |url-status=live }} On 5 October 2020, Larian Studios announced the game would be released for macOS in addition to Windows and Stadia.{{Cite tweet |number=1313168926059175941 |user=baldursgate3 |title=We've got a big surprise for Mac fans. Baldur's Gate 3 will also launch on Mac, tomorrow 10am PT! Now, Mac fans will very much be part of the Early Access journey. |author=((Baldur's Gate 3)) |date=5 October 2020 |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006132743/https://twitter.com/baldursgate3/status/1313168926059175941#m |archive-date=6 October 2020 |url-status=live}} Baldur's Gate 3 runs on Divinity Engine 4.0.{{Cite web |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/db/bg3/baldurs-gate-3-what-engine-does-it-run-on/459778/ |title=Baldur's Gate 3 What Engine Does it Run on? |website=Hardcore Gamer |date=5 August 2023 |language=en |access-date=13 January 2024 |archive-date=13 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313144945/https://hardcoregamer.com/db/bg3/baldurs-gate-3-what-engine-does-it-run-on/459778/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://dotesports.com/baldurs-gate/news/baldurs-gate-3-what-engine-is-bg3-built-in |title=Baldur's Gate 3: What engine is BG3 built in? |website=Dot Esports |date=18 September 2023 |language=en |access-date=13 January 2024 |archive-date=9 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309144137/https://dotesports.com/baldurs-gate/news/baldurs-gate-3-what-engine-is-bg3-built-in |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://primagames.com/tips/what-engine-does-baldurs-gate-3-run-on-answered |title=What Engine Does Baldur's Gate 3 Run On? – Answered |website=Prima Games |date=14 November 2023 |language=en |access-date=13 January 2024 |archive-date=13 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113095635/https://primagames.com/tips/what-engine-does-baldurs-gate-3-run-on-answered |url-status=live }}

In March 2024, Swen Vincke announced that Larian Studios would not be producing any DLC or sequels for Baldur's Gate 3, citing the constraints of developing within the D&D ruleset and a desire to "pass the torch to the next developer" and pursue other projects.{{Cite web |last=Niemeyer |first=Kenneth |title=The studio behind the biggest video game of 2023 says it won't make a sequel despite its enormous success |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/baldur-gate-3-larian-studios-sequel-dlc-new-content-staff-2024-3 |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=3 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403055749/https://www.businessinsider.com/baldur-gate-3-larian-studios-sequel-dlc-new-content-staff-2024-3 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Bailey |first1=Kat |last2=Valentine |first2=Rebekah |date=26 March 2024 |title=Baldur's Gate 3: Director Swen Vincke Answers All Our Questions About Foregoing DLC, AAA Development, and More |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-director-swen-vincke-answers-all-our-questions-about-foregoing-dlc-aaa-development-and-more |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403125511/https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-director-swen-vincke-answers-all-our-questions-about-foregoing-dlc-aaa-development-and-more |url-status=live }}

Baldur's Gate 3 was originally set to be released in early access on 30 September 2020 before being delayed a week to 6 October.{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=James |date=18 August 2020 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Will Release In Early Access In September |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-will-release-in-early-access-in-sep/1100-6481070/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819150432/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-will-release-in-early-access-in-sep/1100-6481070/ |archive-date=19 August 2020 |access-date=18 August 2020 |website=GameSpot |language=en}}{{Cite tweet |number=1308781954012246018 |user=larianstudios |title=We're delaying to October 6, by a week. |author=Larian Studios |author-link=Larian Studios |date=23 September 2020}} The early access version contained only the first act, amounting to approximately 25 hours of content.{{Cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |date=6 October 2020 |title=Baldur's Gate 3's Map Is Already Big In Early Access |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3s-map-is-already-big-in-early-access/1100-6482984/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423074705/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3s-map-is-already-big-in-early-access/1100-6482984/ |archive-date=23 April 2021 |access-date=7 October 2020 |website=GameSpot |language=en}} Additional features and content, including multiplayer functionality and more classes, were added throughout early access.{{Cite magazine |last=Ruppert |first=Liana |date=17 February 2021 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Adds Druid Class, Loaded Dice Option, Better Cinematics, And Multiplayer |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/02/17/baldurs-gate-3-adds-druid-class-loaded-dice-option-better-cinematics-and-multiplayer |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=17 February 2021 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217190728/https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/02/17/baldurs-gate-3-adds-druid-class-loaded-dice-option-better-cinematics-and-multiplayer |url-status=live }}

The version for Stadia was cancelled following the closure of the platform in January 2023.{{Cite news |last=Cranz |first=Alex |date=29 September 2022 |title=Google is shutting down Stadia |work=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/29/23378713/google-stadia-shutting-down-game-streaming-january-2023 |url-status=live |access-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929161556/https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/29/23378713/google-stadia-shutting-down-game-streaming-january-2023 |archive-date=29 September 2022}} In February 2023, it was announced that Baldur's Gate 3 would be released for Windows, macOS, and PlayStation 5 on 31 August 2023.{{Cite web |last=Vincke |first=Swen |date=23 February 2023 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 launches on PS5 August 31 |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2023/02/23/baldurs-gate-3-launches-on-ps5-august-31/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224000853/https://blog.playstation.com/2023/02/23/baldurs-gate-3-launches-on-ps5-august-31/ |archive-date=24 February 2023 |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=PlayStation.Blog |publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment}} The PlayStation 5 and macOS versions would be delayed to 6 and 22 September.{{Cite web |last=Mahardy |first=Mike |date=29 June 2023 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 will launch four weeks early on PC, delayed on PS5 |url=https://www.polygon.com/23777252/baldurs-gate-3-new-release-date-pc-ps5 |access-date=30 June 2023 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630233055/https://www.polygon.com/23777252/baldurs-gate-3-new-release-date-pc-ps5 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3s-hefty-patch-3-and-mac-version-live-now-patch-notes-once-again-too-big-for-steam|title=Baldur's Gate 3's Hefty Patch 3 and Mac Version Live Now, Patch Notes Once Again Too Big for Steam|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=22 September 2023|website=IGN|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922171407/https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3s-hefty-patch-3-and-mac-version-live-now-patch-notes-once-again-too-big-for-steam|url-status=live}} Spike Chunsoft published the PlayStation 5 version in Japan on 21 December 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/08/baldurs-gate-3-ps5-publishing-rights-snagged-by-spike-chunsoft-in-japan|title=Baldur's Gate 3 PS5 Publishing Rights Snagged by Spike Chunsoft in Japan|first=Sammy |last=Barker|access-date=17 August 2023|work=Push Square|date=17 August 2023|archive-date=17 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817092110/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/08/baldurs-gate-3-ps5-publishing-rights-snagged-by-spike-chunsoft-in-japan|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/baldurs-gate-3-japanese-version-release-date-decided/|title=Baldur's Gate 3 Japanese Version Release Date Decided|first=Lauren|last=Palmer|access-date=16 December 2023|website=Siliconera|date=3 October 2023|archive-date=7 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107021208/https://www.siliconera.com/baldurs-gate-3-japanese-version-release-date-decided/|url-status=live}} An Xbox Series X and Series S version was released on 7 December 2023, which was delayed due to performance issues on the Xbox Series S with splitscreen co-op, which was cut from the Series S version.{{cite web |last1=Valentine |first1=Rebekah |last2=Stedman |first2=Alex |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Is Now Available on Xbox Series X/S |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-is-now-available-on-xbox-series-xs |website=IGN |date=8 December 2023 |access-date=8 December 2023 |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208073059/https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-is-now-available-on-xbox-series-xs |url-status=live }}

Gameplay features like the Magic Mirror, allowing users to change their character's appearance, were added with patches after release.{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=21 September 2023 |title=The next Baldur's Gate 3 patch will finally let you change your appearance |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/21/23883903/baldurs-gate-3s-patch-3-change-character-appearance |access-date=5 October 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004185706/https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/21/23883903/baldurs-gate-3s-patch-3-change-character-appearance |url-status=live }} A patch in December 2023 added two new difficulty modes, quality of life enhancements, and a new playable epilogue containing over 3,500 new dialogue lines.{{cite web |last1=Yin-Poole |first1=Wesley |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 5 Adds New Playable Epilogue With 3,589 Lines of Extra Dialogue, Much More |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-patch-5-adds-new-playable-epilogue-with-3589-lines-of-extra-dialogue-much-more |website=IGN |access-date=2 December 2023 |language=en |date=30 November 2023 |archive-date=1 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201145751/https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-patch-5-adds-new-playable-epilogue-with-3589-lines-of-extra-dialogue-much-more |url-status=live }} A physical version released in May 2024.{{cite web |last1=Stedman |first1=Alex |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Physical Deluxe Edition Announced for Early 2024 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-physical-deluxe-edition-announced-for-early-2024 |website=IGN |access-date=18 November 2023 |language=en |date=16 November 2023 |archive-date=17 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117200008/https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-physical-deluxe-edition-announced-for-early-2024 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2 May 2024 |title=Baldur's Gate 3's Xbox physical edition gets a bit of a delay due to "production issues" |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/baldurs-gate-3s-xbox-physical-edition-gets-a-bit-of-a-delay-due-to-production-issues |access-date=18 June 2024 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en |archive-date=18 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618083347/https://www.eurogamer.net/baldurs-gate-3s-xbox-physical-edition-gets-a-bit-of-a-delay-due-to-production-issues |url-status=live }}

{{Video game reviews

| state = collapsed

| MC = (PC) 96/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/baldurs-gate-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Baldur's Gate 3 for PC Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom, Inc. |access-date=5 September 2023 |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922043321/https://www.metacritic.com/game/baldurs-gate-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live }}
(PS5) 96/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/baldurs-gate-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 for Playstation 5 Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom, Inc. |access-date=7 September 2023 |archive-date=8 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008212849/https://www.metacritic.com/game/baldurs-gate-3/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |url-status=live }}
(XBSX) 99/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/baldurs-gate-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |title=Baldur's Gate 3 for Xbox Series X Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom, Inc. |access-date=7 September 2023 |archive-date=6 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106182832/https://www.metacritic.com/game/baldurs-gate-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |url-status=live }}

| OC = 98%{{cite web |url=https://opencritic.com/game/9136/baldurs-gate-3 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 |website=OpenCritic |date=7 August 2023 |access-date=5 September 2023 |archive-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903162719/https://opencritic.com/game/9136/baldurs-gate-3 |url-status=live }}

| Destruct = 10/10{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-baldurs-gate-3/|title=Review: Baldur's Gate 3|last=Van Allen|first=Eric|date=29 August 2023|website=Destructoid|access-date=7 September 2023|archive-date=6 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906223634/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-baldurs-gate-3/|url-status=live}}

| DT = 5/5{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/baldurs-gate-3-review-pc/|title=Baldur's Gate 3 review: staggering RPG opens up a world of possibilities|last=Zucosky|first=Andrew|date=30 August 2023|website=Digital Trends|access-date=7 September 2023|archive-date=6 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906170728/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/baldurs-gate-3-review-pc/|url-status=live}}

| Edge = 10/10{{Cite web |date=7 September 2023 |title=EDGE Reviews Baldur's Gate 3 10/10 and other scores from Issue 389 |url=https://mynintendonews.com/2023/09/07/latest-edge-magazine-review-scores-13/ |access-date=7 September 2023 |archive-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907204547/https://mynintendonews.com/2023/09/07/latest-edge-magazine-review-scores-13/ |url-status=live }}

| EuroG = 4/5{{Cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/baldurs-gate-3-a-critical-success-with-critical-failures |title=Baldur's Gate 3 review – a critical success, with critical failures |date=16 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=Eurogamer |last=Cassidy |first=Ruth |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818035339/https://www.eurogamer.net/baldurs-gate-3-a-critical-success-with-critical-failures |archive-date=18 August 2023 |url-status=live}}

| Fam = 36/40{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=20 December 2023 |title=Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1829 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/12/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1829 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220070425/https://www.gematsu.com/2023/12/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1829 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |access-date=28 December 2023 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}

| GI = 9.5/10{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/baldurs-gate-3/a-true-soul-stirrer |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Review – A True Soul Stirrer |date=16 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |magazine=Game Informer |last=Broadwell |first=Josh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818144930/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/baldurs-gate-3/a-true-soul-stirrer |archive-date=18 August 2023 |url-status=live}}

| GRadar = 5/5{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/baldurs-gate-3-review/ |title=Baldur's Gate 3 review: "A new gold standard for RPGs" |date=14 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=GamesRadar+ |last=Jones |first=Ali |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817152403/https://www.gamesradar.com/baldurs-gate-3-review/ |archive-date=17 August 2023 |url-status=live}}

| GSpot = 10/10

| GStar = 95/100{{cite web|url=https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/baldurs-gate-3-test-review,3398541.html|title=Baldur's Gate 3 Test: Ein historischer Rollenspiel-Meilenstein verdient eine historische Wertung|last=Penzhorn|first=Sascha|date=18 August 2023|website=GameStar|access-date=7 September 2023|language=de|archive-date=7 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907105303/https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/baldurs-gate-3-test-review,3398541.html|url-status=live}}

| HCG = 5/5{{cite web|url=https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-baldurs-gate-iii/458558/|title=Review: Baldur's Gate III|last=Shive|first=Chris|date=10 August 2023|website=Hardcore Gamer|access-date=7 September 2023|archive-date=7 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907200641/https://hardcoregamer.com/reviews/review-baldurs-gate-iii/458558/|url-status=live}}

| HC = 96/100{{Cite web |url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reviews/analisis-baldurs-gate-3-pc-1285110 |title=Análisis Baldur's Gate 3, el juego de rol con el que llevas soñando toda tu vida |date=6 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=Hobby Consolas |last=Lloret |first=Alberto |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806094438/https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reviews/analisis-baldurs-gate-3-pc-1285110 |archive-date=6 August 2023 |url-status=live |language=Spanish}}

| IGN = 10/10{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-review |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Review |date=18 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=IGN |last=Hafer |first=Leana |archive-date=10 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110154038/https://www.ign.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-review |url-status=live }}

| JXV = 19/20{{Cite web |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1785813/baldur-s-gate-3-nouveau-pretendant-au-goty-2023-et-meilleur-rpg-de-son-temps.htm |title=Baldur's Gate 3 : nouveau prétendant au GOTY 2023 et meilleur RPG de son temps ! |date=11 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=Jeuxvideo.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811141353/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1785813/baldur-s-gate-3-nouveau-pretendant-au-goty-2023-et-meilleur-rpg-de-son-temps.htm |archive-date=11 August 2023 |url-status=live |language=French}}

| MS = 10/10{{cite web|url=https://as.com/meristation/analisis/analisis-con-nota-de-baldurs-gate-3-la-obra-maestra-del-rpg-occidental-n/|title=Análisis con nota de Baldur's Gate 3, la obra maestra del RPG occidental|last=Ruete|first=Borja|date=29 August 2023|website=MeriStation|access-date=7 September 2023|language=es|archive-date=7 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907200640/https://as.com/meristation/analisis/analisis-con-nota-de-baldurs-gate-3-la-obra-maestra-del-rpg-occidental-n/|url-status=live}}

| NME = 5/5{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/baldurs-gate-3-review-3481761|title='Baldur's Gate 3' review: must-play fantasy rolls a critical hit|last=Brown|first=Andy|date=11 August 2023|website=NME|access-date=7 September 2023|archive-date=6 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906145756/https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/baldurs-gate-3-review-3481761|url-status=live}}

| PCGUS = 97%{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Fraser |title=Baldur's Gate 3 review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-review/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=17 August 2023 |language=en |date=16 August 2023 |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817042248/https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-review/ |url-status=live }}

| PCG = 10/10{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgames.de/Baldurs-Gate-3-Spiel-18525/Tests/Review-Meisterwerk-Kunstwerk-Video-1426761/ |title=Baldur's Gate 3 im Test: Dieses Rollenspiel ist ein Kunst- und Meisterwerk |date=16 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=PC Games |last=Dammes |first=Matthias |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817133838/https://www.pcgames.de/Baldurs-Gate-3-Spiel-18525/Tests/Review-Meisterwerk-Kunstwerk-Video-1426761/ |archive-date=17 August 2023 |url-status=live |language=German}}

| PCGN = 9/10{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/baldurs-gate-3/review |title=Baldur's Gate 3 review – an instant RPG classic |date=10 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=PCGamesN |last=Kelly |first=Paul |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818023632/https://www.pcgamesn.com/baldurs-gate-3/review |archive-date=18 August 2023 |url-status=live}}

| PCM = 5/5{{cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/baldurs-gate-3-for-pc|title=Baldur's Gate 3 Review|author1=Greenwald, Will |author2=Cuevas, Zackery|date=25 August 2023|website=PCMag|access-date=7 September 2023|archive-date=7 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907200640/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/baldurs-gate-3-for-pc|url-status=live}}

| Poly = Recommended{{Cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23837019/baldurs-gate-3-review-dungeons-dragons |title=Baldur's Gate 3 is a masterpiece built on a bad tabletop game |date=18 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=Polygon |last=Jackson |first=Gita |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818173208/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23837019/baldurs-gate-3-review-dungeons-dragons |archive-date=18 August 2023 |url-status=live}}

| PSQ = 10/10{{cite web|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/baldurs-gate-3|title=Baldur's Gate 3 Review (PS5)|last=Adam|first=Khayl|date=5 September 2023|website=Push Square|access-date=8 September 2023|archive-date=8 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908102118/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/baldurs-gate-3|url-status=live}}

| TR = 5/5{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/baldurs-gate-3-review|title=Baldur's Gate 3 review – a natural 20|last=Tucker|first=Jake|date=3 August 2023|website=TechRadar|access-date=7 September 2023|archive-date=6 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906115204/https://www.techradar.com/gaming/baldurs-gate-3-review|url-status=live}}

| TGMIt = 9.9/10{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamesmachine.it/baldurs-gate-iii-pc/baldurs-gate-3-recensione-the-games-machine/|title=Baldur's Gate 3 – Recensione|last=Dellafrana|first=Danilo|date=17 August 2023|website=The Games Machine|access-date=7 September 2023|language=it|archive-date=6 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906124427/https://www.thegamesmachine.it/baldurs-gate-iii-pc/baldurs-gate-3-recensione-the-games-machine/|url-status=live}}

| TG = 5/5{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/aug/09/baldurs-gate-3-review-pc-mac-ps5-larian|title=Baldur's Gate 3 review – awe-inspiring D&D rendition is a towering landmark|last=Rueben|first=Nic|date=9 August 2023|website=The Guardian|access-date=7 September 2023|archive-date=6 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906180725/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/aug/09/baldurs-gate-3-review-pc-mac-ps5-larian|url-status=live}}

| VG = 10/10{{cite web|url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/baldurs-gate-3-review/|title=Baldur's Gate 3 review – the die has been cast|last=Terence|first=Antony|date=17 August 2023|website=VideoGamer.com|access-date=7 September 2023|archive-date=7 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907200641/https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/baldurs-gate-3-review/|url-status=live}}

}}

Baldur's Gate 3 received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic, with 98% of critics recommending the game on aggregator OpenCritic.

Critics praised the quality of the writing, including the detailed depiction of the Dungeons & Dragons setting of Faerûn;{{cite web |last1=Pestana |first1=Pedro |title=Baldur's Gate 3 – Análise |url=https://pt.ign.com/baldurs-gate-3/128768/review/baldurs-gate-3-analise |website=IGN Portugal |access-date=9 August 2023 |language=pt-pt |date=9 August 2023 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810042438/https://pt.ign.com/baldurs-gate-3/128768/review/baldurs-gate-3-analise |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Moyer |first1=Shane Robert |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Review |url=https://gamerant.com/baldurs-gate-3-review/ |website=Game Rant |access-date=9 August 2023 |language=en |date=4 August 2023 |archive-date=8 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808030303/https://gamerant.com/baldurs-gate-3-review/ |url-status=live }} the intertwined storylines enabling alternate story moments and a large degree of player freedom; and the characters, particularly companions, that feel interesting and memorable. Critics also praised the production quality, including the voice acting, character and facial animations,{{cite web |last1=Sinha |first1=Ravi |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Review – Stand and Deliver |url=https://gamingbolt.com/baldurs-gate-3-review-stand-and-deliver |website=GamingBolt |access-date=9 August 2023 |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807181006/https://gamingbolt.com/baldurs-gate-3-review-stand-and-deliver |url-status=live }} and detailed environments. The game's implementation of the Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition ruleset was well received,{{cite web |last1=W-K |first1=Edie |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Review-in-Progress — Open wide and bear witness |url=https://checkpointgaming.net/reviews/2023/08/baldurs-gate-3-review-in-progress-open-wide-and-bear-witness/ |website=Checkpoint |access-date=9 August 2023 |language=en-AU |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230158/https://checkpointgaming.net/reviews/2023/08/baldurs-gate-3-review-in-progress-open-wide-and-bear-witness/ |url-status=live }} although some critics were concerned that the complexity of the system could be daunting for players wholly unfamiliar with the tabletop version of the game. The technical performance and its few bugs were highlighted, especially given many vast and complex game systems and interactions. Critics were more lukewarm on the inventory system and some aspects of the user interface, such as needing to micromanage the equipment of multiple characters.{{Additional citation needed|date=October 2023}}

The Dark Urge character origin received particular critical acclaim, with reviewers drawing parallels to the independent storyline in Fallout: New Vegas and the Malkavian clan in Vampire: The Masquerade — Bloodlines.{{cite web|url=https://www.themarysue.com/what-baldurs-gate-3s-dark-urge-and-vampire-the-masquerade-bloodlines-have-in-common/|title=What {{'}}Baldur's Gate 3{{'}}s 'Dark Urge,' and {{'}}Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines{{'}} Have in Common|lang=en|first=Madeline|last=Carpou|website=The Mary Sue|date=2023-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114155520/https://www.themarysue.com/what-baldurs-gate-3s-dark-urge-and-vampire-the-masquerade-bloodlines-have-in-common/|archive-date=2024-01-14|access-date=2024-01-16|url-status=live}} Polygon{{'}}s Cass Marshall, among other critics, praised how the internal struggle with intrusive thoughts and their consequences added narrative depth.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/23932384/baldurs-gate-3-dark-urge-bg3-great-fun-memes|title=It's Absolutely Worth Playing Baldur's Gate 3{{'}}s Dark Urge campaign|lang=en|first=Cass|last=Marshall|website=Polygon|date=2023-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111183539/https://www.polygon.com/23932384/baldurs-gate-3-dark-urge-bg3-great-fun-memes|archive-date=2024-01-11|access-date=2024-01-16|url-status=live}} In TechRadar, Cat Bussell noted that the manifestation of dark urges through dialogue options and appearances of Sceleritas Fel created a distinct sense of loss of control, comparable to horror game experiences.{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/consoles-pc/im-doing-a-baldurs-gate-3-dark-urge-playthrough-for-halloween-and-so-should-you|title=I'm Doing a Baldur's Gate 3 Dark Urge Playthrough for Halloween, and So Should You|lang=en|first=Cat|last=Bussell|website=TechRadar|date=2023-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102105813/https://www.techradar.com/gaming/consoles-pc/im-doing-a-baldurs-gate-3-dark-urge-playthrough-for-halloween-and-so-should-you|archive-date=2024-01-02|access-date=2024-01-16|url-status=live}} GamesRadar+{{'}}s Jasmine Gould-Wilson observed that the character's integral connection to the plot reinforced its perceived canonicity and heightened the impact of player choices.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/dark-urge-is-the-canon-story-of-baldurs-gate-3-and-i-can-prove-it/|title=Dark Urge is the Canon Story of Baldur's Gate 3 and I Can Prove It|lang=en|first=Jasmine|last=Gould-Wilson|website=GamesRadar+|date=2023-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204105318/https://www.gamesradar.com/dark-urge-is-the-canon-story-of-baldurs-gate-3-and-i-can-prove-it/|archive-date=2024-02-04|access-date=2024-01-20|url-status=live}}

Fraser Brown of PC Gamer called the game "the new pinnacle of the [CRPG] genre", while IGN Portugal called it a "must-play masterpiece that sets a new bar in the RPG universe".

Alex Battaglia of Eurogamer praised the game's performance on PC, and added that "Baldur's Gate 3 launches in a polished state with no game-breaking issues, shaming the technical quality of other big AAA releases".{{Cite news |last=Battaglia |first=Alex |date=12 August 2023 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 PC tech review: polish that puts other AAA games to shame |language=en |work=Eurogamer |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2023-baldurs-gate-3-pc-tech-review-polish-that-puts-other-aaa-games-to-shame |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814000834/https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2023-baldurs-gate-3-pc-tech-review-polish-that-puts-other-aaa-games-to-shame |url-status=live }}

Baldur's Gate 3 became the best-selling game on both Steam and GOG.com on the day of its early access launch.{{Cite web |last=Donovan |first=Imogen |date=4 August 2023 |title='Baldur's Gate 3' overtakes 'Sons Of The Forest' to become Steam's second-biggest launch of 2023 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/baldurs-gate-3-overtakes-sons-of-the-forest-to-become-steams-second-biggest-launch-of-2023-3478167 |access-date=6 August 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805212524/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/baldurs-gate-3-overtakes-sons-of-the-forest-to-become-steams-second-biggest-launch-of-2023-3478167 |url-status=live }} On Steam, the game had about 537,000 concurrent players on release day and peaked at 875,000 two weeks after release.{{Cite news |last=Young |first=Rory |date=14 August 2023 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Hits New Concurrent Player Count Milestone |language=en |work=Game Rant |url=https://gamerant.com/baldurs-gate-3-concurrent-player-count-record/ |access-date=14 September 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914161129/https://gamerant.com/baldurs-gate-3-concurrent-player-count-record/ |archive-date=14 September 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Jonathan |first=Bolding |date=5 August 2023 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 enters top 10 all-time peak Steam games, knocking Apex Legends out |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-enters-top-10-all-time-peak-steam-games-knocking-apex-legends-out/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805233619/https://www.pcgamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-enters-top-10-all-time-peak-steam-games-knocking-apex-legends-out/ |archive-date=5 August 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Franzese |first=Tomas |date=4 August 2023 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 launches to jaw-dropping success on Steam |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/baldurs-gate-3-steam-charts-success/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805234509/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/baldurs-gate-3-steam-charts-success/ |archive-date=5 August 2023 |access-date=5 August 2023 |website=Digital Trends |language=en}} It sold more than 2.5 million copies during its early access phase.{{cite web |last=Sinha |first=Ravi |date=4 August 2023 |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Sold over 2.5 Million Units in Early Access |url=https://gamingbolt.com/baldurs-gate-3-sold-over-2-5-million-in-early-access |access-date=7 August 2023 |website=GamingBolt |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807000854/https://gamingbolt.com/baldurs-gate-3-sold-over-2-5-million-in-early-access |url-status=live }} Sales surpassed Larian's expectations,{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/larians-boss-worried-baldurs-gate-3-had-peaked-in-early-access-so-its-massive-800k-concurrent-player-launch-was-way-way-beyond-expectations/|title=Larian's boss worried Baldur's Gate 3 had peaked in early access, so its massive 800K concurrent player launch was 'way, way beyond' expectations|first=Wes|last=Fenlon|work=PC Gamer|date=8 August 2023|accessdate=8 August 2023|archive-date=8 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808001031/https://www.pcgamer.com/larians-boss-worried-baldurs-gate-3-had-peaked-in-early-access-so-its-massive-800k-concurrent-player-launch-was-way-way-beyond-expectations//|url-status=live}} as well as those of Microsoft when considering the Xbox release.{{Cite web |date=20 September 2023 |title=The Massive Xbox Leak: 11 Big Reveals |url=https://kotaku.com/xbox-leak-email-microsoft-activision-nintendo-console-1850858540 |access-date=26 September 2023 |website=Kotaku |language=en |archive-date=27 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927024231/https://kotaku.com/xbox-leak-email-microsoft-activision-nintendo-console-1850858540 |url-status=live }} By 26 February 2024 the Director of Publishing at Larian, Michael Douse, said the game had sold "way over 10 [million] in a very short space of time".{{cite web | url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/02/baldurs-gate-3-sales-apparently-top-10-million | title=Baldur's Gate 3 Sales Apparently Top 10 Million | date=26 February 2024 | access-date=30 April 2024 | archive-date=30 April 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430234813/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/02/baldurs-gate-3-sales-apparently-top-10-million | url-status=live }} In November 2024, Douse further revealed that the number of daily active users is up 20% over the previous year, which Douse attributed to the release of the official modding support.{{cite web |last1=Rossi |first1=José V. |title=Baldur's Gate 3 Has More Active Users than in 2023 |url=https://gamerant.com/baldurs-gate-3-more-daily-active-users-than-2023/ |website=Game Rant |access-date=23 November 2024 |language=en |date=19 November 2024}}

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File:The Game Awards 2023 - Game of the Year acceptance speech (cropped).png award at The Game Awards 2023|thumb|Larian Studios acceptance speech after receiving the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2023]]

Baldur's Gate 3 became the first game to win the Game of the Year award at all five major video game award ceremonies; the Golden Joystick Awards, The Game Awards,{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=8 December 2023 |title=The Game Awards 2023 Winners: The Full List |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2023-winners-the-full-list |access-date=15 December 2023 |work=IGN |language=en |archive-date=13 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213104409/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2023-winners-the-full-list |url-status=live }} the D.I.C.E. Awards,{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/27th_annual_dice_awards_winners_2773sT2.asp |title=Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Announces Winners of 2023's Best Video Games at 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=16 February 2024 |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216073935/https://www.interactive.org/awards/27th_annual_dice_awards_winners_2773sT2.asp |url-status=live }} the Game Developers Choice Awards, and the British Academy Games Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/baldurs-gate-3-passes-elden-ring-and-breath-of-the-wild-to-become-first-game-to-win-all-five-major-goty-awards/|title=Baldur's Gate 3 passes Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild to become first game to win all five major GOTY awards|first=Kaan|last=Serin|website=GamesRadar+|date=12 April 2024|accessdate=12 April 2024|archive-date=12 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412172438/https://www.gamesradar.com/baldurs-gate-3-passes-elden-ring-and-breath-of-the-wild-to-become-first-game-to-win-all-five-major-goty-awards/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/baldurs-gate-3-game-of-the-year-bafta-tga-dice-gdc-1851406271|title=Baldur's Gate 3 Becomes First Game To Win Every Major GOTY Award|first=Willa|last=Rowe|website=Kotaku|date=12 April 2024|accessdate=17 April 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/baldurs-gate-3-does-what-elden-ring-couldnt-sweeps-baftas-to-become-first-game-to-win-every-big-goty-award|title=Baldur's Gate 3 does what Elden Ring couldn't, sweeps BAFTAs to become first game to win every big GOTY award|first=Matt|last=Jarvis|website=Rock Paper Shotgun|date=12 April 2024|accessdate=17 April 2024|archive-date=27 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827154641/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/baldurs-gate-3-does-what-elden-ring-couldnt-sweeps-baftas-to-become-first-game-to-win-every-big-goty-award|url-status=live}} The game was selected by Ars Technica,{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=27 December 2023 |title=Ars Technica's best video games of 2023 |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/12/ars-technicas-best-video-games-of-2023/ |access-date=4 January 2024 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=13 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113013419/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/12/ars-technicas-best-video-games-of-2023/ |url-status=live }} GameSpot,{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-is-gamespots-game-of-the-year-2023/1100-6519739/|title=Baldur's Gate 3 is GameSpot's Game of the Year 2023|work=GameSpot|first=Jordan|last=Ramée|date=6 December 2023|accessdate=12 January 2024|archive-date=8 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208132205/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/baldurs-gate-3-is-gamespots-game-of-the-year-2023/1100-6519739/|url-status=live}} GamesRadar,{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-2023//|title=The 25 best games of 2023|date=February 2023|first=Josh|last=West|work=GamesRadar|accessdate=12 January 2024|archive-date=10 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110211053/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-2023/|url-status=live}} 3DJuegos,{{cite web|url=https://samagame.com/en/latest/these-are-the-best-video-games-of-the-year-all-the-award-winning-releases-at-the-lenovo-3djuegos-awards-2023/|title=These are the best video games of the year. All the award-winning releases at the Lenovo 3DJuegos Awards 2023|last=Hughes|first=Peter|date=28 November 2023|website=SamaGame|access-date=9 December 2023|archive-date=9 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209164129/https://samagame.com/en/latest/these-are-the-best-video-games-of-the-year-all-the-award-winning-releases-at-the-lenovo-3djuegos-awards-2023/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Yasif|first=Marcos|url=https://www.3djuegos.com/eventos/noticias/estos-mejores-videojuegos-ano-todos-lanzamientos-galardonados-premios-3djuegos-lenovo-2023|title=Estos son los mejores videojuegos del año. Todos los lanzamientos galardonados en los Premios 3DJuegos Lenovo 2023|date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129140923/https://www.3djuegos.com/eventos/noticias/estos-mejores-videojuegos-ano-todos-lanzamientos-galardonados-premios-3djuegos-lenovo-2023|archive-date=29 November 2023|url-status=live|website={{interlanguage link|3DJuegos|es}} }} PC Gamer,{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/game-of-the-year-2023-baldurs-gate-3/|title=Game of the Year 2023: Baldur's Gate 3|first=Phil|last=Savage|work=PC Gamer|date=31 December 2023|accessdate=4 January 2023|archive-date=3 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403215431/https://www.pcgamer.com/game-of-the-year-2023-baldurs-gate-3/|url-status=live}} and Screen Rant,{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/game-year-2023-winner-baldurs-gate-3/// | title=Screen Rant's 2023 Game of the Year | work=Screen Rant | date=19 December 2023 |accessdate=12 January 2024 |first=Cody|last=Gravelle}} as their Game of the Year.

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• {{Official website|https://baldursgate3.game/}}

{{Baldur's Gate}}

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