Baldur's Gate 3: developed by Larian Studios

[Mantis]

although I don't know if using EB as every attack would become a bit monotonous longer term to main one.

Welcome to Warlock life.

[Wrathbone]

By the way, WB, let me know if you wanted to try out the MP at all

I think I’ll wait until after Cyberpunk to restart, but yeah, would be up for it then.

[Sly Boots]

First story update due soon:

https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/ ... 0702891542

It will be interesting to see what that involves. I doubt it will be new areas as what's there now seems like a pretty complete Act 1, but perhaps new playable races and classes, maybe even new party companions?

[Sly Boots]

Patch has landed, and it's a biggie - 4.8gb.

No new content as such, but lots of changes that respond to a lot of the criticisms, including making fire far less prevalent, two short rests per long rest, a hide helmet button (hooray), making it so if you jump over a gap the rest of the party follows, making companions a bit less objectionable, and lots more besides.

All positive stuff as far as I can see.

[Wrathbone]

Yeah, I had a long peruse over the change list and it's all good stuff. Very encouraging to see them listening to feedback, even if there are still a few more things I'd have them change.

[Sly Boots]

New class dropping imminently - druid:

https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/baldurs-gate ... aded-dice/

I might not replay the whole act, but I might try out the new class for a bit to see how it feels.

[Raid]

I've watched the full livestream now, and there is something deeply funny about the conversation cutscenes changing from a shot of a hideous, deformed hag taunting your party to the adorable face of a badger that doesn't offer any reaction.

[Sly Boots]

[Sly Boots]

Update is now out, so rolled a druid and took it for a little spin earlier.

I've only just met Shadowheart and reached level 2 so very early days, but feels decent to play. During the prologue the shellalagh cantrip seemed absurdly powerful; use it as a bonus action going into combat, and proceed to beat everything in sight to a fine paste

I've just got my wild shape ability and went for the sub-class that gives you the option to transform into a polar bear... because it's a frickin' polar bear, so looking forward to playing around more with that.

I've tinkered with all the classes now and one thing I can say in Larian's favour is that it's going to be incredibly difficult to decide which to play as first when it's fully released, as they've all been fun in different ways. And there's even more to come!

[Wrathbone]

Once I've finished my latest replay of Witcher 3 (yet again), I'm going to dive back into BG3 with a new character. Druids are usually my least favourite class, but what they've done with it looks interesting.

[Hatredsheart]

Not this year guys.....

https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/baldurs-gate ... -for-sure/

[Wrathbone]

It's a frustratingly vague phrasing:

"We are really trying to get the game done by next year," he said. "It's not gonna release this year for sure."

To me that could mean either "It's definitely not releasing this year" or "It's not certain whether it will release this year".

Realistically it's highly unlikely to be this year, though.

[Raid]

I read it as him not being sure they'll be able to get it done by the end of 2022, but definitely not in 2021.

Either way it's frustrating having to wait this long. It's vindicated my decision not to buy the early access, but we're now potentially looking at it being in early access for over two years, which I find to be excessive. It's good to gather user feedback, but it just feels like they're using it so that they don't have to hire in house play testers.

[Sly Boots]

I read it as him not being sure they'll be able to get it done by the end of 2022, but definitely not in 2021.

Either way it's frustrating having to wait this long. It's vindicated my decision not to buy the early access, but we're now potentially looking at it being in early access for over two years, which I find to be excessive. It's good to gather user feedback, but it just feels like they're using it so that they don't have to hire in house play testers.

I'm not sure that's entirely true, I think they're being ultra-cautious about taking player feedback on board so as not to upset the fans, regarding what is already a pretty big departure from the preceding games. They've already changed quite a bit from that feedback, such as the excessive use of fire tiles and explosives that Wrath mentioned previously. From what they've said the next big update will also mainly concentrate on changes made due to player feedback.

I also read they'd been set back considerably by a hack, and combined with the change in working circumstances from the pandemic, it's likely they never envisaged the EA going on for that long.

[DjchunKfunK]

I read it as him not being sure they'll be able to get it done by the end of 2022, but definitely not in 2021.

Either way it's frustrating having to wait this long. It's vindicated my decision not to buy the early access, but we're now potentially looking at it being in early access for over two years, which I find to be excessive. It's good to gather user feedback, but it just feels like they're using it so that they don't have to hire in house play testers.

I'm not sure that's entirely true, I think they're being ultra-cautious about taking player feedback on board so as not to upset the fans, regarding what is already a pretty big departure from the preceding games. They've already changed quite a bit from that feedback, such as the excessive use of fire tiles and explosives that Wrath mentioned previously. From what they've said the next big update will also mainly concentrate on changes made due to player feedback.

I also read they'd been set back considerably by a hack, and combined with the change in working circumstances from the pandemic, it's likely they never envisaged the EA going on for that long.

Yeah I agree with most of this especially the pandemic bit which has messed up a lot of schedules. Taking that into consideration I don't think it's a surprise that the game is taking longer to make it out of EA.