Do I Need to Play the Previous Baldur‘s Gate Games Before Baldur‘s Gate 3?

The clear answer: No, you do not need to play the previous Baldur’s Gate games before diving into Baldur’s Gate 3. Larian Studios designed Baldur‘s Gate 3 as a starting point for those new to the series, featuring all new characters, a fresh story, and modernized graphics and gameplay.

As a fan who has eagerly awaited this sequel for years, I can definitively say BG3 works great even if you haven’t played the classics. But let’s explore the connections between new and old for a deeper look.

Baldur‘s Gate Story Connections Overview

Baldur‘s Gate 3 is set over 100 years after Baldur‘s Gate 2 and continues some dangling story threads related to the Bhaalspawn Saga storyline. But fear not! The game carefully explains relevant lore so total newcomers won’t feel lost. You’ll journey to familiar locations like Baldur’s Gate the city, and characters reference gods like Bhaal, the Lord of Murder. But Larian Studios avoids relying on nostalgia and crafted an accessible adventure.

What background should you have before playing BG3? None required! The game features extensive in-game encyclopedias detailing lore, creatures, classes, magic, and more tailored towards newcomers. BG3 stands completely on its own as an entry point into classic high fantasy Dungeons & Dragons adventures.

What‘s New vs Returning In Baldur‘s Gate 3

As someone whose played every Baldur‘s Gate release since the 1990’s, I‘m blown away by how Larian Studios has honored this storied franchise‘s spirit while reinventing nearly everything.

Story and Characters

• A brand new original story and cast of characters you can fully customize
• Overhauled visuals, now 3D graphics versus classic isometric 2D
• Far more player choice altering quest outcomes and stories
• Develop complex romance options with certain companions
• Continuation of god Bhaal and city Baldur‘s Gate lore threads

Gameplay

• Uses current D&D 5th Edition tabletop rules versus AD&D 2E
• Turn-based tactical combat with destructible environments
• Classics like rolling dice checks, but more physics-based interactions
• Up to 4 player online coop to adventure with friends
• Early Access only has Act 1, but full game will feature over 100 hours+ of content

They kept what made past Baldur‘s Gate game special while innovating with cutting-edge graphics and game systems. I believe this fusion sets the franchise up wonderfully for the next 20 years.

Should You Play Baldur‘s Gate 1 And 2 First?

Are the original games from the 1990‘s and 2000‘s still worth playing if you want to better appreciate references and nostalgia in Baldur‘s Gate III? As a lifelong RPG fanatic, I unhesitatingly say yes!

Both Baldur‘s Gate and Baldur‘s Gate II stand amongst the best cRPGs ever made with fantastic worlds, stories, and tactical combat. They may show a bit of age, but the Enhanced Editions add quality of life updates. If you end up loving BG3, going back to experience where this legendary series began will be hugely rewarding.

Reasons To Play Baldur‘s Gate 1 And 2 First

However I‘ll reiterate – don‘t feel barred from playing Baldur‘s Gate 3 if you lack spare hundreds of hours! Larian made sure this sequel welcomes all audiences.

Baldur‘s Gate 3 Early Access vs Full Release Differences

As of February 2023, Baldur‘s Gate III remains in Early Access with Act 1 playable, about 35 hours of adventuring. When released on August 31st, 2023, the full game will contain all Acts and over 100+ hours of content.

Given strong Early Access sales already exceeding 746,000 copies, I anticipate Baldur‘s Gate 3 will sell over 2 million copies by 2024. It should contention for 2023 Game of the Year awards.

If you play now, you‘ll only experience maybe 35% of the complete adventure but can transfer progress. I suggest patient fans wait for the full game, or those who don‘t mind incomplete acts dive in now like I eagerly have!

Either way, I believe Baldur‘s Gate 3 will go down as an all-time classic, staying powerfully engaging for years thanks to deep systems and terrific writing. This fusion of old traditions with exciting innovations makes it equally great for longtime fans like myself or total newcomers. The future looks bright for the franchise again thanks to Larian Studios masterful work modernizing while capturing what always made these games truly special – the adventures we share with companions on long roads, well told stories, and heroes we determine the fates of through our choices and dice rolls.