# Baldur’s Gate: more than a game, a defining moment for RPGs To understand why Baldur’s Gate holds such a legendary place in video game history, it helps to go back to where it all began. The original Baldur’s Gate launched in 1998, developed by BioWare and published by Interplay. It was built on the Forgotten Realms universe of Dungeons & Dragons and adapted the rules of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition into a digital format. At a time when computer RPGs were losing visibility, Baldur’s Gate brought the genre back to life and reminded players how deep, emotional and rewarding role playing games could be. The impact was immediate. Critics praised its writing, its freedom and its ambition. Players embraced a world that reacted to their choices and respected their intelligence. Baldur’s Gate was not trying to rush anyone. It invited you to read, think, explore and live inside its world. That philosophy would become the soul of the series. Years later, that same spirit would return in a much bigger form. # Baldur’s Gate 3 and the rebirth of the modern RPG When Baldur’s Gate 3 was finally released by Larian Studios in 2023, expectations were dangerously high. This was not just another sequel. It was the return of a sacred name in RPG history. Many games promise freedom, deep storytelling and meaningful choices. Very few actually deliver all of that at once. Baldur’s Gate 3 does. From the opening moments, the game pulls you into a disturbing and fascinating situation. Your character has been infected by a mind flayer parasite, a threat that slowly becomes both a curse and a temptation. What starts as a personal struggle soon expands into political conflicts, ancient powers and moral dilemmas that refuse to offer easy answers. The writing is confident and mature. Conversations feel natural, layered and reactive. Your choices are not cosmetic. They shape relationships, entire questlines and sometimes the fate of regions and characters. This is a game that trusts the player and is not afraid to let consequences unfold slowly. # Characters that feel alive One of Baldur’s Gate 3’s greatest strengths is its companions. These are not side characters designed only to help you in combat. Each companion carries personal trauma, ambitions and beliefs that evolve over time. You can support them, challenge them or completely lose them depending on your actions. What makes this special is how human these interactions feel. Characters disagree with you. They remember what you did. They react emotionally, not mechanically. Over dozens of hours, you begin to care not because the game tells you to, but because the writing earns that attachment. # Gameplay built on freedom and creativity At its core, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a tactical RPG based on Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules. But the real magic happens in how those rules interact with the environment. Combat is turn based, yet incredibly dynamic. Positioning matters. Terrain matters. Elements interact with each other in ways that constantly encourage experimentation. You can solve encounters through brute force, clever use of spells, environmental manipulation or pure dialogue. Many battles can be avoided entirely if you choose the right words or approach situations creatively. The game rarely tells you no. Instead, it asks how far you are willing to go. This freedom extends far beyond combat. Exploration rewards curiosity. Secrets are hidden in plain sight. The world feels handcrafted, dense and alive, never like a checklist of objectives. # Presentation, sound and immersion Visually, Baldur’s Gate 3 is stunning. Character animations are expressive. Facial acting during dialogue scenes adds subtle emotional depth. Environments range from dark and oppressive to vibrant and magical, always reinforcing the tone of the story being told. The soundtrack adapts beautifully to what is happening on screen. Quiet moments feel intimate. Major battles feel epic without becoming overwhelming. Voice acting across the entire game is consistently strong and elevates the writing even further. All of these elements work together to create immersion that lasts. Hours disappear without you noticing. # Critical reception and cultural impact The response to Baldur’s Gate 3 was extraordinary. Critics and players alike praised it as one of the finest RPGs ever made. It quickly became one of the highest rated games of its year across multiple platforms and won numerous Game of the Year awards. Its influence went beyond gaming circles. Baldur’s Gate 3 received recognition from broader cultural institutions, including a Hugo Award, something almost unheard of for a video game. Discussions about its storytelling, player agency and design philosophy became common even outside traditional gaming spaces. It did not just succeed commercially. It shifted expectations. # Imperfections worth mentioning Despite its achievements, Baldur’s Gate 3 is not flawless. Its scale inevitably leads to occasional bugs, especially in later acts. Performance can dip during particularly complex encounters on lower end hardware. For players unfamiliar with RPG systems, the learning curve can feel intimidating at first. Still, these issues rarely overshadow the experience. They feel like the cost of ambition rather than signs of poor design. # Baldur’s Gate as a legacy Baldur’s Gate 3 proves that deep, complex and patient games still have a place in the modern industry. It respects its audience. It values choice, consequence and narrative depth. It reminds players why RPGs can be so powerful when done with care and confidence. For anyone who loves role playing games, storytelling or worlds that feel truly alive, Baldur’s Gate is not just recommended. It is essential. --- ## Sources [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate) [https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur%27s_Gate) [https://www.showmetech.com.br/baldurs-gate-3-e-o-jogo-mais-bem-avaliado/](https://www.showmetech.com.br/baldurs-gate-3-e-o-jogo-mais-bem-avaliado/) [https://gam3s.gg/pt-BR/baldur-s-gate-3/](https://gam3s.gg/pt-BR/baldur-s-gate-3/) [https://reviewdejogos.com.br/reviews/baldurs-gate-3/](https://reviewdejogos.com.br/reviews/baldurs-gate-3/) [https://locodigital.com.br/baldurs-gate-3/](https://locodigital.com.br/baldurs-gate-3/) [https://www.polygon.com/24218806/baldurs-gate-3-wins-hugo-award](https://www.polygon.com/24218806/baldurs-gate-3-wins-hugo-award) [https://ew.com/baldurs-gate-tv-series-from-the-last-of-us-creator-craig-mazin-in-the-works-11900940](https://ew.com/baldurs-gate-tv-series-from-the-last-of-us-creator-craig-mazin-in-the-works-11900940)