The epilogue addition in the latest 5.0 patch of Baldur’s Gate III feels like the thank you kiss and ultimate send off from Larian Studios to its community and players from all the years spent on the marvellous adventure.
With a massive 130 GB update, players were worried that the fifth major patch for Baldur’s Gate III would merely be fixes for bugs from the prior patches. Instead, Larian packaged some surprises throughout the 5.0 release with new dialogue sprinkled across; alongside a gift to the community. The additional free epilogue content rounds out the ending with a celebration with the companions who weathered so much. Withers remains the mysterious shepherd for the adventuring party. As it takes place 6 months after the ending’s events. Now, you can catch up with the companions you kept alongside (and alive) as a final honouring of their characters. A rounded out conclusion that a vast amount of folks had been craving.
Most are salivating at how more complete this game leaves you at the end, with a celebratory epilogue as the consequence of the choices made through the game result in various and interesting interactions to reward players commitment to making unique decisions. Personally I was an utter mess by the end given my various playthroughs prior to this patch to see these characters through to the very end in response to decisions that were made through the journeys. Having been able to hug all that I could, and just take in the atmosphere was rewarding, and something I’d been wanting out of the game since my first roll of initiative. I’d be remiss to mention the amount of time spent with the wardrobe and dyes and reading letters, too.
The weight of the consequences really held as the contrast between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ endings were pretty distinct. As they play out, I find myself blown away by the level of detail.
Withers should really consider taking up business in party planning rather than managing and scribing death records. This conclusion is something that the Citadel DLC of BioWare’s Mass Effect trilogy only dreamed of accomplishing, and yet again, Larian displays their commitment to elevating Baldur’s Gate III into the ultimate CRPG experience fans of the genre always wished for.
A special guest appearance of wonderful (alcaldes) composer Borislav Slavov as the lovely, and certainly unforgettable bard Milil.
So, if you’re a save scumming gremlin like me for cutscenes or sections of the playthroughs that you like to return and relive through. Make sure you get one where the netherbrain is ending otherwise it seems you won’t trigger the epilogue. (I thought the dock would be fine, but turns out at the time of writing this- it’s the final fight that triggers it).
As if the game wasn’t large and full of adventure on its initial release, this patch has boosted it to a massive scale. With the added epilogue and additional dialogue in various sections, two new modes of play were also added: Honour and Custom.
Honour mode rewards players who manage to beat the difficult single save file and live through the legendary actions with a coveted golden D20 that you can have in game. Certainly a challenging game mode for those with a death wish to their sanity. If you thought tactician was too easy, then this mode is for you.
Custom mode opens the playthrough to tweak the settings to various options that can differ from the basic offered game modes.
If Baldur’s Gate III has managed not to develop as a personality trait, consider it impressive that it hasn’t dominated your brain (maybe check for a tadpole).
Baldur’s Gate III will leave a monstrous footprint on this world that will be difficult to fill.
The frothing potential for future DLC or even continuation into another game is huge in the fandom as there lingers tidbits with characters and story. The prospective endings of certain characters finally come true in this update. These long awaited conclusions deliver warms the coldest of hearts and cause them to stir. If you interact with a certain scroll in the area where Wither waits for you to finish enjoying the festivities and read about ‘dark sun’. Withers’ ending speech having the words echo ‘for now…” thanks for that wink there Larian. The anticipation of what is to come will certainly keep me looking to the horizon.
Gods above Larian Studios. Since this is released after various Game Awards, all of which are well deserved. All the applause.
This was a gift, thank you.
Featured images ©Copyright Larian Studios | Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro
Game Copy Purchased by reviewer / Played on Windows PC
‘Baldur’s Gate III’ Is Available Now On Windows PC, Mac OS and PlayStation 5
A medical student who has unhealthy obsessions with games, art and energy drinks. Resident Baldur’s Gate fanatic.
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