It feels like everyone, whether they’re an RPG fan, a tabletop enthusiast, or just a lover of games in general, has played 2023’s Game of the Year and all-around masterpiece,Baldur’s Gate 3. I mean, it would be absolutely ridiculous if someone hadn’t playedBaldur’s Gate 3at this point, right? It has been nearly two years since it was released, it’s had numerous massive updates, and so many people have praised it endlessly in a smorgasbord of YouTube video essays, related or unrelated to the topic at hand. Surely, considering all of that, everyone has played it by now?
Well, I haven’t played it. It is my big, dark secret, the one I dare not share with my friends, the one I pretend isn’t true, that I bury deep down. I’ve distracted myself with game after game, with some of thebest RPGs availablethat aren’tBaldur’s Gate 3, all in an attempt to forget that I still haven’t played perhaps the greatest game ever made. Unfortunately,the time has finally come for me to accept my shortcomings and come to terms with exactly why I haven’t, after all this time, played the legendaryBaldur’s Gate 3.
I Really Want To Play Baldur’s Gate 3
It Is One Of The Greatest RPGs Ever Made
Baldur’s Gate 3is, of course, a much-discussed phenomenon, but I don’t personally believe that its undeniable popularity alone warrants playing it. Rather, the reason I truly, genuinely, and very desperately want to playBaldur’s Gate 3is because it is one of the most freeform RPGs on the market, and a game that truly values player choice and freedom, while still offering an engaging narrative. Or, so the manyglowingBG3reviewshave told me.It is absolutely up my alley as someone who adores the RPG genreand has sunk many, many hours intoDivinity Original Sin 2.
I also want to finally meetBG3’smost popular charactersand immerse myself in its epic story. I’m aware of who Asterion is, or at least, what he looks like, and that I’d almost certainly attempt to romance Karlach if it’s possible, but beyond their surface-level traits and appearance, which I’ve gleaned from videos,I don’t know much about this now iconic cast of characters. It very much feels like knowing about the cast ofFriendsorParks and Recreation, but never having actually seen the show or understood why those characters are so popular to begin with.
There’s alsoBG3’smost beautiful locations, many of which have been spoiled for me, that I’d love to visit, as well as its amazing combat, which sounds about as chaotic as it does strategic. That is my favorite type of combat. Of course, those who’ve playedBaldur’s Gate 3, which, again, seems to be everyone but me, know about all of this stuff already.I guess the feeling of being left out is playing somewhat on my mind, and yet, despite that merging with genuine curiosity, I still can’t bring myself to grab my controller and actually begin playing it.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Is Too Long
It Is Impossible To Get Stuck In
Amazingly,I already ownBaldur’s Gate 3. I have a hugeBaldur’s Gate 3box sitting on my shelf, taunting me as I work, as I game, as I watchFullmetal Alchemistfor the umpteenth time, as I eat my breakfast. It haunts my dreams, floating alongside all of my other unresolved regrets like a gaggle of high school bullies from a Steven Spielberg movie. Of course, I’ve told myself repeatedly that I’d crack it open and start playing. The problem is, at least initially, I felt I had to wait until all theamazingBG3updateswere released.
Naturally, that took some time. Then, I wanted to wait until a friend of mine was free to play together, as I wanted to experience all ofBG3’ssecret co-op content. However, that never transpired, as it turned out they were waiting for me to finally start playing and got bored. Eventually, I was stuck with no one to play it with and a still-sealed boxed copy. After all this time staring it down, hopingBaldur’s Gate 3would just play itself,I’ve realized that the game is simply far too long for me to actually commit to.
Unlike a lot of people, I have to play one narrative-based game at a time. I can’t divert my attention between multiple games, as I find I quickly forget what was happening and give up.Knowing thatBaldur’s Gate 3would take me 100+ hours to beat, I always pushed it backin favor of shorter experiences. As I get older, my time has become increasingly budgeted, to the point that even 10-hour-long games feel long. Between work, household responsibilities, and spending time with my wife, I just don’t have the time to play something likeBaldur’s Gate 3.
The immense existential dread I get from even thinking about startingBaldur’s Gate 3is enough to discourage me from playing it, at least for now.
This may not be an issue for most people, butthe immense existential dread I get from even thinking about startingBaldur’s Gate 3is enough to discourage me from playing it, at least for now. It’s a genuine shame, as I know that were I to sit down and play it, I’d have an amazing time. But with the sheer volume of new games releasing every week, coupled with my dwindling amount of free time, as much as it kills me to say it, I just can’t playBaldur’s Gate 3, and I don’t suspect that will ever change.
BG3 Might Be Best In Handheld
A Switch 2 Port Could Convince Me To Play It
Of course,I never want to say never to a game likeBaldur’s Gate 3. I do suspect that a handheld version of the game would better suit my more restrictive lifestyle, as, not only would I be able to play on the go, but I’d also be able to utilize the few minutes I have in bed before sleeping, or even while I’m in the bath, to get through the overwhelming number of quests available. Who needs to read, watch TV shows, or do literally anything else when you can dedicate months of your life to just one game?
While I own a ROG Ally on which I could playBG3, it’s overly clunky and very prone to being dropped. However,BG3would make for anexcellent third-party Switch 2 title, and I can imagine myself playing it on it. However, I said the same aboutThe Witcher 3, after having bought it on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox beforehand, and I still haven’t beaten that. Maybe I just don’t like RPGs as much as I thought? Either way, I sincerely hope one day I finally playBaldur’s Gate 3, as I’d quite like to know what a Lae’zel is.
