Is Baldurs Gate 3 like Divinity Original Sin 2?

[ice_devil]

I really, really hated Divinity Original Sin 2. I didn't like the confusing story. I didn't like the overly difficult fights. I found all the different options in the game irrelevant and boring. I found the whole item system absurd. I didn't find the rules to be consistent either (an opposing fighter can suddenly use magic or a single opponent can suddenly attack significantly more often in a round). The game always felt like work to me.

That's just my opinion on DOS2. I know most people love this game. I grant you this!

Still, I'm very interested in Baldure's Gate 3. But I have concerns because DOS 2 disappointed me so much.
Would you say I can have fun with Baldure's Gate 3? Or is this too much like DOS2?

[Orion Invictus]

I'd say, based on your complaints, you wouldn't enjoy BG3.

To put it bluntly, it sounds like you just didn't understand how D:OS2 worked and couldn't (or didn't want to) understand it either. DnD requires a similar level of understanding, and if you couldn't pick up on D:OS2 - which is probably the simpler of the two - you won't enjoy BG3 either.

[ice_devil]

I'm currently having a lot of fun with Pathfinder Kingmaker. That conveyed a lot of the BG 2 feeling to me. This is also quite complex, but I can handle it really well (I'm on my second run through).
Can you say if BG is more complex than Pathfinder Kingmaker?

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by ice_devil:

I'm currently having a lot of fun with Pathfinder Kingmaker. That conveyed a lot of the BG 2 feeling to me. This is also quite complex, but I can handle it really well (I'm on my second run through).
Can you say if BG is more complex than Pathfinder Kingmaker?

I'd say it's less complex because it doesn't have you managing a kingdom. Actual combat mechanics are more or less the same, I think.

[Dizzy Ladybug]

The story is definitely better and the cutscenes and dialogue are a large step up from DoS2, but if you didn’t like the combat or itemisation or that a Fighter can use a magic scroll then you will probably be disappointed in the gameplay as well

[harken23]

I liked DOS1 a lot, and really didn't like DOS2 much at all (don't think I ever got even halfway thru it). I'd put BG3 in between those two. But the ridiculously clunky inventory system is 100% unchanged from earlier games, and the camera still doesn't let you look *up* (without mods), which is truly baffling. But I like the game play in BG3 better (even tho the intro is basically a cut-and-paste of the DOS2 intro). There are some cool tactical mechanics, and the story is very intricate and welcomes mulitple play-thrus. It'll also get a boost when mod tools come out, and complete overhaul mods will be possible.

TL;DR It's worth getting, and quite enjoyable. But I wouldn't be in a huge hurry to play it, esp if you weren't blown away by DOS2, and don't have much nostalgia for BG1&2.

[harken23]

I've been playing Kingmaker lately, too, and it just reinforces how much I like RTwP more than TB combat. I also got completely stuck in Kingmaker (almost definitely my own fault), and had to start over, tho... Blerg.

[Big Helper]

I would still say it's a worthwhile experience, if you have the time to spare. It may not indulge you in every aspect. It is, however, still the apogee of gaming. Might serve you in forming your taste of video games.

[mercurious05]

I hated DoS: 2. Still do. It has game breaking bugs that existed in DoS: 1 that were NEVER fixed, like skills taking AP but not doing the skill effectively nullifying your characters turn entirely. DoS:2 feels like it's hard, but then you realize that every fight can be won by simply making everyone archers.

Teleport up high. Click to win. It's simply *that* easy, and the combat for BG3 can be cheesed just as easily. There are some 'difficult' fights, but with the amount of ways you can approach something in this game, they really are as difficult as you make them. 99.9% of the time.

Story is better in BG3, though. The characters are better. The writing is better. Everything about the game is such a huge improvement over the slop that was DoS: 2. The way the company has handled everything has turned my outlook on them around entirely.

As a fellow person who hated DoS: 2, give it a go. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[TripSin]

BG3 is the GOAT, but you probably won't like it so don't play it.

[ice_devil]

Thanks for your explanations, then I'll give BG3 a chance... but probably only when it's on sale... my pile of shame is huge now ;)
There was one thing that really bothered me about DOS2: the companions and their stories just didn't excite me. I found it somehow too crazy. But you've already written here that the companion stories are better.

[Big Helper]

You won't know until you try.

[Maraxus]

You like both DOS and the original BGs. Best case scenario. You will most likely love this.
You only like DOS but not classic BG. High chance of enjoying this.
You like the original BGs and hate DOS. Worst case... might wanna try it and keep the refund window in mind.

[Hobocop]

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Originally posted by ice_devil:

I'm currently having a lot of fun with Pathfinder Kingmaker. That conveyed a lot of the BG 2 feeling to me. This is also quite complex, but I can handle it really well (I'm on my second run through).
Can you say if BG is more complex than Pathfinder Kingmaker?

I'd say it's less complex because it doesn't have you managing a kingdom. Actual combat mechanics are more or less the same, I think.

Character building is definitely more complex in the PF games, though I find I end up making the same choices every time I attempt a playthrough just so I have the requisite math and buffs on my stack to not die outright.

I also generally find the actual moment-to-moment combat mechanics to be a bit more complex and interesting in BG3 due to the overwhelming number of low effort trash encounters in the PF games, and the ability to actually leverage the environment and terrain in interesting ways in BG3, which basically doesn't exist in Kingmaker. They didn't start adding that in until Wrath to my memory, and it's incredibly infrequent.

[sick duck]

I have played both BG3 and pathfinder and I it boggle my mind that you find BG3 harder to understand? Pathfinder is the most convoluted thing I've ever seen.

[Kalamir]

Yes

BG3 is Divinity OS2 wearing the skin of D&D 5e whit even better cutscenes.