Introduction: The Sacred Cow of Modern RPGs
When Larian Studios released Baldur's Gate 3, it didn't just capture the gaming community's attention; it completely dominated it. Sweeping Game of the Year awards and earning near-universal praise, the game was lauded as the pinnacle of modern role-playing. Critics and players alike pointed to its deep narrative, complex companion relationships, and unprecedented player freedom as proof that Larian had written a flawless masterpiece.
But now that the initial hype has settled, and we look back at the game in 2025, it is time for a more sober, critical evaluation. Strip away the spectacular voice acting, the cinematic presentation, and the sheer novelty of its massive branching paths, and a controversial truth emerges: the actual writing of Baldur's Gate 3 is not nearly as strong as you think.
While BG3 is undoubtedly a triumph of systemic design and player agency, its narrative structure, pacing, and character arcs suffer from deep-seated issues that prevent it from reaching the literary heights of RPG classics like Planescape: Torment or even Dragon Age: Origins. Let's break down why.
The Act 3 Collapse and Pacing Problems
Perhaps the most glaring issue with Baldur's Gate 3's writing is its pacing, particularly the severe drop-off in quality in the final act. Act 1 is a masterclass in tight, regional storytelling. You have a clear goal (get the parasite out of your head), a manageable sandbox, and a highly focused conflict between the Druids, Tieflings, and Goblins. Act 2 narrows this focus further, delivering a beautifully atmospheric, gothic horror narrative centered around the Shadow-Cursed Lands and Ketheric Thorm.
Then, you enter Act 3, and the narrative structural integrity completely collapses.
Suddenly, the game dumps dozens of disconnected side quests, companion conclusions, and political machinations onto your plate all at once. The urgent threat of the Absolute—an apocalyptic elder brain hovering just outside the city—is put on hold so you can solve a toy maker's murder or find a clown's severed body parts. The narrative momentum grinds to a halt. Important antagonists like Gortash and Orin, who should feel like menacing masterminds, are reduced to standing in their respective corners of the map, waiting for you to finish your grocery list of side quests before coming to kill them. This ludo-narrative dissonance is some of the most jarring in modern RPG history.
The Illusion of Choice vs. True Narrative Depth
Larian Studios is incredibly skilled at creating the illusion of infinite choice. The game reacts to your race, your class, and your minor decisions in ways that feel magical on a first playthrough. However, on subsequent runs, the seams of this elaborate tapestry begin to show.
Many of the game's major narrative choices boil down to binary, black-and-white outcomes disguised as complex moral dilemmas. For example, the choice between saving the Grove or raiding it with the Goblins is cartoonishly polarized. There is very little nuance in playing an evil character; rather than a calculated, pragmatic villain, the writing often forces you to act like a chaotic-stupid murder hobo, which locks you out of massive chunks of content without offering satisfying narrative alternatives.
Furthermore, the companion approval system feels incredibly game-y. Companions will go from hating your guts to throwing themselves at you romantically because you picked a few specific dialogue options during camp conversations. This rapid acceleration of intimacy feels artificial, undermining the organic character growth that great writing should facilitate.
Companion Arcs: Tropes and Rushed Redemptions
We all love Astarion, Shadowheart, and Gale. The voice actors did an astonishing job bringing these characters to life, which often masks the fact that their written arcs are heavily reliant on tired fantasy tropes.
Shadowheart is the classic brainwashed cultist who secretly has a heart of gold. Astarion is the tortured, charming vampire spawn seeking freedom. Gale is the arrogant wizard who flew too close to the sun. While tropes aren't inherently bad, the writing struggles to resolve these arcs satisfyingly.
Shadowheart's transition from a devout Sharran to a Selûnite can happen almost overnight based on a single choice in the Shadowfell, ignoring years of deep-seated psychological conditioning. Similarly, Gale's world-ending hubris is frequently played for laughs or swept under the rug until the very end of the game. Because Larian had to account for players killing off or ignoring companions, their individual stories often feel like isolated bubbles that don't organically weave into the main plot of the Absolute.
Gear Up for the Ultimate RPG Experience
To fully appreciate the sprawling landscapes of Faerûn—and to hear every nuance of the incredible voice acting that often saves the game's writing—having the right hardware is essential. Here are our top recommendations for upgrading your RPG setup in 2025:
* SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless (~$349): To truly appreciate the stellar voice performances of Neil Newbon (Astarion) and Amelia Tyler (the Narrator), you need a premium headset. The Arctis Nova Pro offers unmatched active noise cancellation and pristine audio quality, making every camp conversation feel incredibly intimate. * ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQDM (~$899): The Shadow-Cursed Lands of Act 2 are incredibly dark and atmospheric. This 1440p OLED monitor delivers perfect blacks and vibrant colors, ensuring you don't miss a single detail in the game's beautifully moody environments. Razer Naga V2 Pro (~$179): Managing dozens of spells, scrolls, and potions in Baldur's Gate 3* can be a hotkey nightmare. The Razer Naga V2 Pro, with its swappable side plates and up to 20 programmable buttons, is the absolute best mouse for streamlining complex RPG controls. * Secretlab Titan Evo (~$549): Let's face it: even with pacing issues, a single playthrough of BG3 will easily take you over 100 hours. The Secretlab Titan Evo offers the ergonomic support you need to prevent back strain during those marathon gaming sessions.
Bottom Line / Our Verdict
Baldur's Gate 3 is a phenomenal achievement in game design. It offers a level of player agency and systemic reactivity that we may not see replicated for another decade. However, we must separate the brilliance of its systems from the quality of its prose and structure.
When evaluated strictly as a piece of dramatic writing, BG3 is highly inconsistent. It features a bloated third act, companion arcs that rely heavily on abrupt personality shifts, and a main plot that struggles to maintain urgency under the weight of its own sandbox design. It is a great RPG, but let's stop pretending its writing is flawless. Recognizing these shortcomings doesn't diminish Larian's achievement; rather, it helps us understand how the studio can push the genre even further in their next project.