Larian is great studio but too much activism destroys the game...

[krupa.luke]

First thing I want to say is that I am a big fan of Larian. Their dOS serie is a masterpiece. For me especially because I always loved turn-based games where more than speed, tactical thinking is rewarded. Ever since they announced they are working on BG3 I was so eager to see it released since I could not imagined better studio than Larian for the job. Continuation of my belowed BG world (for decades) was finally developed.

So why I am not as happy as I thought I would be? The game story is solid, combat mechanics is turn-based so exactly what I love, graphics and music is also outstanding. It is simple - the game is way too activist/progressivist driven. I am definitely all for sex equality, diversity, LGBT+, etc... I have always been the guy who looked with disgust on racist, bigots, etc... (I am not going to list everything because lot of things were already discussed elsewhere). I would like to describe 2 specific points that I find most disappointing.

1) Both strength based companions are women. This is crap. I am sorry. Take a look basically to any sport / olympic games. What do you see? Each sport is separated to male and female category. Why...? Because if there is not this separation there would be no or almost no women there. So what is the probability that from all strength based characters 2 strongest will be women? Basically none. I would be totally ok if there is one dude and one girl. It would still be highly improbable for reason I just mentioned but at least it would be fair. But why both of them (Laezel and Karlach) are women? It is not about diversity or equality. This is typical example of condescending unspoken message: "This is the new world where women now are going to be tough and men will be waiting to be rescued". And even less spoken message: "If you are a man, you should be ashamed if you do not like this... Something is wrong with you".

2) Similar thing is about sex. As mentioned above... I believe that there should be reasonable options for any player when it comes to their sexual orientation. However again... this does not mean that all companions must be bisexual. Again what are odds that this going to happen? I think that reasonable enough would be if some of them are bisexual and some of them homosexual and majority heterosexual which would at least somehow reflect reality. I am straight and I really wish to hang up with Gale for instance with couple of beers without looking the him with sexual lust. This destroys the whole point. Most guys hang with each other to talk about work, issues, women. They do not touch one another. Again this has against gays - but why there is not option for clearly stating sexual orientation which would "fix" sexual staring on people "outside personal sexual interest". Again ... this seems to me like another "ideological element" that are supposed to educate.

Other than that, the game is more or less really great. But these 2 points are of great disapointment for me. What is the most disapointing is fact that the game is too much focused on modern ideology instead of being solely focused on the story, atmosphere and fun...

[Orion Invictus]

OK.

[Draknalor]

I prefer to look at women, Preferbly very tall women.

So yes, Karlach is best girl, Aylin is also hot :D

Because of the points i listed above.. if i could not romance Karlach as a female Tav, i would just have not bought the game at all, Since at first i bought the game simply to romance Karlach.

If you prefer to look at men, then maybe you are gay?

[Lord Adorable]

Tell us how you've NOT actually played a Larian game before without telling us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j95kNwZw8YY

[Chaosolous]

No one has ever brought this up before. I'm sure there's plenty of fertile ground for new dialogues to be had here.

[Mattee]

The simple way to evade this is by just playing it and stop worrying about what others think. If you like it you like it, if you don't you don't. Nothing has to change, it's a product someone made and it's a form of art on top of that. It's all subjective. There is no right or wrong answer. Don't make it political for yourself and just try to have fun in your life without stressing so much.

I'm not saying you're not allowed to voice your opinions or that you do stress over it. I just mean more in general, for everyone. There are things I don't like about a lot of my favourite games. I don't like all the typos in Final Fantasy 7. I don't like how Metal Gear Solid 3's frame rate dips. I hate how they made exploration feel mind numbingly boring in Starfield. Does it bother me that all the companions in BG3 swing both ways? No. I think they're written in a way where depending on how you're roleplaying you can think of and see them as being straight.

Just stop looking at it from on high, let yourself get down into the game and be immersed. Stop thinking about it. Roll with it. It becomes so much more enjoyable when you do, trust me. We don't need to keep looking at reality and pushing ideologies and political views and realness into video games, especially a video games based on a tabletop experience where your imagination is the key part of it. Let your imagination take over, not facts or opinions or view points. If you can't do that, that's okay too. You don't have to like that part of the game.

[Piperbird]

Game filled with dragons and magic but strong women is where this dude draws the line.

[Stevcorp]

I suppose it's a matter of perspective.

See, in the old days, you were allowed to be openly abusive and oppressive towards women, minorities and homosexuals. The law and society protected people who did so.

But now society is changed. Bigots are increasingly being asked to keep their opinions to themselves. And when they decide to act on their views and do some old-fashioned persecuting, the law actually protects their victims.

You call this game "activism". But activism implies a campaign for action. Far as I can see, the action has already happened - society has already changed. If anything, it's the bigots who are the activists now, trying to turn back social progress as if it were something someone ever succeeded in doing.

[Borkins]

"The women in BG3 are so unrealistic. They don't conform to women here on Earth. For instance, the two strongest women in game - a Githyanki and a Tiefling - don't align to Githyanki and Tieflings on Earth. All of our Tieflings on Earth are weaker than me. They have to be, because I am a male and there is no way that any women should be stronger than men. And don't get me started on Githyanki. All the Githyanki I see at my local gym only do treadmill.

Also, whenever I deliberately choose the option to flirt with Gale, he flirts right back! He should be straight. I shouldn't get turned on IRL when he reciprocates my advances. The game focuses way too hard on this... like Gale's hard body. And Karlach's big muscly arms. I mean how am I to focus on the game when they keep teasing me with Gale on screen. They have such an agenda to turn me gay."

[Fluffykeith]

It’s funny how these posts always manage to reinforce the cliche that the one who essentially says “I’m not a bigot, or sexist, but….” most likely IS a bigot or sexist.

The OP focuses on the two strong women and projects the idea that their existence means that men must now be portrayed as damsels needing rescue.

Let’s look at those men.
Gale, a wizard…is portrayed as a handsome man rather than “classic” old wizard, who had an affair with the Goddess of Magic and is confident in himself.

Wyll, a bona fide folk hero, the Blade of Frontiers, a man who uses skill with a blade and magic gained by his pact, to hunt monsters and protect the innocent. A man who willingly puts himself in harms way and stands by his principles rather than kill an innocent

Astarion, the most “victim” of the lot, a vampire spawn who was forced to hunt for his master for centuries, and who’s willing to go to great lengths to break that control and be free. But he’s not asking someone to do it FOR him.

Halsin. A man built like a bear who can turn into a bear and who LED an entire Druid grove, and who is willing to step into the shadow realm to save the cursed lands

None of these men are weaklings or damsels who need “saving”

[dulany67]

Originally posted by Patty Walnuts:

Lmao OP doesnt like ♥♥♥ propaganda, you all do not mind it.

Why is that?

Because I'm not threatened by the existence of homosexuals?

[Popsicles]

Yes, the activism of the conservative male has destroyed what should be a celebration of a great game. These snowflakes are offended by gay pixesl.

[Heu, Iterum Id Feci]

Originally posted by Patty Walnuts:

and when the normal community rejects it

Best selling CRPG of all time by a very long shot, 94% user rating, Countless awards, critically acclaimed....
Well the "normal community" has a very strange way of expressing their rejection, I have to say...

[Яeplicant]

Originally posted by Patty Walnuts:

Originally posted by dulany67:

Because I'm not threatened by the existence of homosexuals?

OK live in this world were you are a "bigot" for not having the gay ♥♥♥♥ shoved in your face 24/7 you stupid infantile child

Im not a homophobe either but this game is some gay ♥♥♥♥

Again with those implications. You people sure have an obsession with things being shoved into or onto various bodyparts. Not to mention your questionable comment about underage kids prior.

[dulany67]

Originally posted by Patty Walnuts:

OK live in this world were you are a "bigot" for not having the gay ♥♥♥♥ shoved in your face 24/7 you stupid infantile child

Im not a homophobe either but this game is some gay ♥♥♥♥

No, you're not a homopbobe at all. Lol.

When did men become so weak and afraid?

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by dulany67:

Originally posted by Patty Walnuts:

OK live in this world were you are a "bigot" for not having the gay ♥♥♥♥ shoved in your face 24/7 you stupid infantile child

Im not a homophobe either but this game is some gay ♥♥♥♥

No, you're not a homopbobe at all. Lol.

When did men become so weak and afraid?

Some men always have been weak and afraid, they just disguised it (usually with aggression).

You know the ones who challenged someone else to a duel to the death for any perceived slight? Yeah, those types.