Should I buy the game if I have a phobia of mind control?

[The Grim]

Hi.

I'm asking this before I buy the game or plan to get it. I know it's an amazing experience, but there's something I want to ask before I do.

Anything mind control and so on gives me the *creeps.* Genuinely triggering for me. I hate using the word trigger, but it's genuinely the case. Anything from brainwashing, being tortured into developing Stockholm's syndrome, someone killing one of your friends/snatching their body to pretend while you're forced to be paranoid, etc. I have issues with paranoia, and really don't want to have to be paranoid in video games, let alone TTRPGs.

So, I'd like to ask the community, before I make any plans of purchase. Is this game for me? Are there any sensitivity options to maybe not have to deal with this stuff, if it's in the game? I know sometimes people make this sort of questioning in bad faith, but this is not my case. I just wanna know the details here before I go into it. I know the game's main villains are mind flayers, which... Are borderline for me, since it's pretty obvious who became a mind flayer, they don't wear your friend's face and pretend to be them. Or maybe they do? I don't know enough to make that call, that's why I'm asking. Thanks in advance.

[SadisticNemesis]

As odd of a question this is and how every part of my body wants to blast you for it... It seems genuine so I'll give a genuine response.

Do not get this game. It has a lot of mind control or telepathic influencing scenes and if it generally freaks you out then you'll sadly have to avoid it.

There are also mind control based spells that can be used.

[The Roach]

Yes, let the fear wash over you.

[The Grim]

Originally posted by SadisticNemesis:

As odd of a question this is and how every part of my body wants to blast you for it... It seems genuine so I'll give a genuine response.

Do not get this game. It has a lot of mind control or telepathic influencing scenes and if it generally freaks you out then you'll sadly have to avoid it.

There are also mind control based spells that can be used.

Alright, thank you for the honest response. It's a shame, I really do want to get this game. Maybe when modding gets more serious and people can retool the game more, hopefully. Cheers.

[Emilia Tempest]

In act 1 there are a lot of opportunities to semi-mind control lesser beings (like goblins) as they have a mark and your tadpole can make them react like "oh uh sorry sir, didnt mean so sir" even though they dont want to

Mid game part is pretty much about figuring out about the games bad-guy army and there is a lot of brainwashing involved and later on
And the later part does have a person snatching one of your friends to impersonate them (which that plot I somehow entirely avoided by sheer accident)

So I would say, no not really, this game wouldnt be for you. Maybe watch a lets play of it and judge it from there and if you see the stuff that might be triggering to you then dont buy it

[Angel]

nope you definitely should not, you can even be forced to do things against your will in certain situations

[The Roach]

Just by coming to these forums you have subjected yourself to mind control and will end up buying the game and becoming one of us. It's already inside your skull.

[Strawberry Kitty]

Please nobody tell him about how social media, tv, advertising, stores, and even education are all mind controlling platforms.

[The Grim]

I'd like to further ask, since people here said it wouldn't be a good idea. Are there any other games like BG3 (In terms of it emulating DND) that don't have such a heavy emphasis on mind control and the like? I hear a lot about Divinity: Original Sin 2 but I never really figured out where to start searching

[The Grim]

Originally posted by Strawberry Kitty:

Please nobody tell him about how social media, tv, advertising, stores, and even education are all mind controlling platforms.

Oh wow yes, I'm a totally innocent lamb who doesn't know literally anything about the outside world, sure.

Can we please not be jerks about it? No, ads don't literally jerk your mind and move your body against your will to the store to spend your money, nor do they literally hijack you to talk to your friends about products. This isn't the Body Snatchers.

I have a fear of a certain thing that is rather niche. And I just wanted to do the responsible thing for my mental health instead of just spending money on a product I likely won't be able to fully enjoy.

Also I'm a girl.

[♠.brT]

As others have mentioned, there are some parts in the early game where the player can borderline "mind control" some characters into allowing you into places where you shouldn't be allowed to. I say borderline mind control because it's quite tame, i'd say that this is like the Jedi mind trick of "these aren't the droids you are looking for". But later in Act2 the player is given a choice to use that mind trick in a far more gruesome way against a bunch of goblins.

And In act3, again, depending on your choices and how you handle a certain character, you can witness precisely the type of mind control that you claim to be so uncomfortable. It isn't done against the player, but it is shown to the player as a threat.

Originally posted by The Grim:

I'd like to further ask, since people here said it wouldn't be a good idea. Are there any other games like BG3 (In terms of it emulating DND) that don't have such a heavy emphasis on mind control and the like? I hear a lot about Divinity: Original Sin 2 but I never really figured out where to start searching

DOS2 has an Origin character that is literally fighting against mind control. And they do that throughout the entire game. I guess you can avoid that if you don't have that character in your party and leave them past act 1. Also i think there are some mind control elements to the overall story.

[Samiel]

Yeah it does have a lot of manipulation/mind control, but it also has thematically a lot of story threads that can involve resolving the trauma of such experiences, which you may find a cathartic and sensitively handled approach to it. One other thing you may find helpful is it is also very good as a multiplayer experience, so if you had some trusted friends to do a playthrough with who you feel safe with, you might find that a way to mitigate some of the triggers if you still really wish to experience the game.

[Gentlest Giant]

Originally posted by The Grim:

Alright, thank you for the honest response. It's a shame, I really do want to get this game. Maybe when modding gets more serious and people can retool the game more, hopefully. Cheers.

This will not happen.
Mind control is a very solid core part of the story. The main antagonist's entire gig is mind control at massive scale. You will face factions of enemies consisting entirely of mind-controlled goons.
It's a core theme.

Edit: Hell, even the damn protagonist is possessed and does terrible stuff without being aware in their sleep. or when getting triggered by stimuli.

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Toxic Giant:

Edit: Hell, even the damn protagonist is possessed and does terrible stuff without being aware in their sleep. or when getting triggered by stimuli.

False, since any character you play automatically becomes the protagonist.

[Gentlest Giant]

Originally posted by Orion Invictus:

Originally posted by Toxic Giant:

Edit: Hell, even the damn protagonist is possessed and does terrible stuff without being aware in their sleep. or when getting triggered by stimuli.

False, since any character you play automatically becomes the protagonist.

I... have no idea what this means.

[Tsuki Itsubi]

While BG3 is an amazing game, if your Phobia is severe I think you are better off staying away. The game has a large focus on mind control throughout all 3 Acts, even the opening scene is about a mind controlling parasite being the catalyst for everything.

I saw you mention waiting for Mods, however Mods aren't going to be able to remove this. It's a core part of the story being told, and the story would need to be entirely rewritten. That's besides the spells and abilities that allow you or enemies to mind-control each other; or the plentiful chances to assert your dominance and force someone else with a parasite to act as want.

Sorry for all the rude comments you are getting, Trolls will be Trolls. You might want to check out their other game Divinity Original Sin 2. Besides one Origin character who occasionally is taken over by some strange force; there is not much mind control I can recall in the game. In addition, that character I mentioned before is an entirely optional party member; you can always choose to recruit someone else if you believe her story of fighting to be free of the thing trying to take over her body would be to much for you - or you may find a connection with a character who is actively resisting and trying to free herself from something you yourself fear.

Hope this helps! Good luck!