BG3 Isn't A D&D Game

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

It's a video game, yes, maybe even a Baldur's Gate game (idk), but it doesn't feel like D&D to me.

I started playing in D&D in '86, at the age of 9, and I've taken long breaks from it (quitting during 2nd edition, and then trying various online and digital versions such as NWN or DDO), but I have played a lot of it, and every time I boot up a game of BG3, it just doesn't feel like D&D to me.

There's probably more than one component to why this is, which is why I'm not trying to list all of them in detail - it's probably many things.

Do you think BG3 is a D&D game?

[fae.wicket]

I think it is. The newer editions focus a lot more on the role-playing rather than just the stats and alignments, which is pretty in line with what BG3 has done.

[Metallicus]

It isn’t a DnD game in a traditional sense. It uses 5th edition which never has felt like DnD to me either. I started playing DnD in the late 1970’s so I totally get it. You can look at it as a positive as the game has been dumbed down which has created much more accessibility for new players. The popularity of DnD has never been higher.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Originally posted by cheetah1546:

It is more than any other game before. Which is why I'm so glad to see it succeed.

What makes you think so?

What is so "D&D" about it?

[Silyon]

It uses the 5th edition of D&D and is licensed by WotC as a D&D product. It's as D&D as it can get.

D&D itself is WAY different from even 3.0, let alone 2nd ed. Streamlined, simplified, and made more accessible for newcomers. Also more "politically correct", since WotC seem to care about such things these days. If it doesn't "feel" like D&D to returning veterans, that's the main reason.

Personally I favor 3.5 and Pathfinder, though I won't deny some of what 5th ed puts down is nice. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous might be more up your alley if BG3 isn't doing it for you.

[The_Dipl0mat]

I feel like BG3 is like 5e DND but with training wheels. You get a rough understanding, mostly RP, but can do extra things like use guidance or charm person during conversations

[Tingly]

Uh. Well, it's at least 'more D&D' than the other games you mentioned, which aren't even turn-based?

[easytarget]

I'm curious as to how long it took OP to figure this out?

[[TG] zac]

5E sadly limited a lot of character building and choice compared to older editions.

Its good for newcomers or for playing while drunk but can feel stale for those of us used to the sheer amount of choice older editions offered.

If you want something that captures that old feel I would suggest pathfinder 1e-2e (1e has a few video games for it, 2e has been highly polished in this regard and when it comes to combat) or some of the OSR games.

[Gregorovitch]

A single player cRPG can never duplicate exactly the experience of playing round a table with friends. It always has to be an adaptation of that experience to make it work. This is mainly because:

a) there is no social element
b) there is no DM
c) table top play is about 10x slower than a SP video game

However if you play BG3 with three friends in coop then the game will feel a lot closer to the table top experience because the first and third of those differences no longer apply so much.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Originally posted by Dimlhugion:

If your idea of "D&D" is anything before 3.5, you're just getting "old and/or out of touch."

No, really. Not even being snarky. You're literally old and/or out of touch. Probably at least mid 30's. You probably remember the frustration when someone picked up your landline and you're left with a broken jpeg of what WOULD have been Buffy the Vampire Slayer if you only had about 1 more uninterrupted minute to finish downloading it.

You probably remember getting your gaming news in the ACTUAL mail. From a magazine. Because the internet was geocities and newgrounds and MAYBE Maddox if you were edgy.

D&D has changed since then. A lot. If you think it's not the same, it's because that's literally true.

I'm older than that even - the sound of dial-up is firmly etched in my consciousness, and I was online before the world wide web existed (on BBS').

I AM getting old (just turned 46), but for some reason your comment actually got me thinking.

Solasta felt more like a D&D game to me than BG3 does, and I only ever played the demo. I admit to avoiding the release version of it because BG3 has such a bigger budget and looked a lot better.

I think I was hoping for Solasta, but with Larian's budget for VA and in their better looking engine so that tje game actually looks and sounds great.

Why is it that Solasta feels so much more likeba D&D game than BG3 does?

[robilar5500]

It's definitely a D&D game. I do think 4e and 5e really simplified all the systems and lost some of the epic campaign feel. Although in some ways, it's better than the AD&D systems. BG3 OTOH does revive that epic campaign feel IMO.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Originally posted by robilar5500:

It's definitely a D&D game. I do think 4e and 5e really simplified all the systems and lost some of the epic campaign feel. Although in some ways, it's better than the AD&D systems.

But Solasta is a better D&D game than BG3.

[robilar5500]

Originally posted by Pan Darius Loveless:

Originally posted by robilar5500:

It's definitely a D&D game. I do think 4e and 5e really simplified all the systems and lost some of the epic campaign feel. Although in some ways, it's better than the AD&D systems.

But Solasta is a better D&D game than BG3.

I don't see how that matters. Both are objectively epic.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

Originally posted by robilar5500:

Originally posted by Pan Darius Loveless:

But Solasta is a better D&D game than BG3.

I don't see how that matters. Both are objectively epic.

Because it's literally the subject matter of this tjread.

How can Solasta, with a smaller budget and less experience (and it shows), create a game that actually feels more lime D&D than BG3?

[The_Dipl0mat]

Originally posted by Pan Darius Loveless:

Originally posted by robilar5500:

I don't see how that matters. Both are objectively epic.

Because it's literally the subject matter of this tjread.

How can Solasta, with a smaller budget and less experience (and it shows), create a game that actually feels more lime D&D than BG3?

Probably because BG3 uses watered down 5e ruleset which as far as I can tell, limits the classic DND feel