Baldur's Gate 3 Is Still Setting The Standard
Two years after release, Baldur's Gate 3 is still the RPG that every new game is compared to. On PC especially it has become the benchmark for story driven role playing, replay value, and post launch support.
Developer Larian Studios has also revealed what comes next. Instead of Baldur's Gate 4 or a big expansion, the team is moving on to a new Divinity project and parting ways with Wizards of the Coast and Dungeons & Dragons. That means Baldur's Gate 3 as we have it now is essentially the final version.
The surprising part is how complete and generous that final version feels. Without ever selling a traditional expansion pack, Larian has delivered an amount of extra content that comes close to what many studios would lock behind paid DLC.
A Free Upgrade Path That Feels Like An Expansion
Baldur's Gate 3 launched in strong shape, unlike many big modern RPGs. Instead of spending the next couple of years just fixing a broken game, Larian was able to deliver meaningful upgrades and new systems that reward players for coming back on powerful gaming PCs and consoles alike.
Some of the biggest post launch additions include:
- Honour Mode A brutally difficult permadeath mode that turns every decision into a life or death choice.
- Playable epilogue A new closing chapter that lets you actually live out the consequences of your choices instead of ending on a quick cutscene.
- New evil ending cinematics Extra payoff if you decide to fully embrace the darker paths in the story.
- Modding tools and in game mod manager Official support for the Baldur's Gate 3 mod scene, making it easier for PC players to tweak and expand the game.
- Console cross play The ability to play co op across different platforms so your party is not limited by hardware.
- 12 new subclasses One for each base class, vastly increasing the variety of builds and party combinations.
- Photo mode A way to capture the wild moments and dramatic battles in high resolution screenshots.
Put together, these updates feel like a diet expansion pack or a spiritual successor to Larian's past Definitive Edition releases. For players with a decent PC, it is a clear example of a game that keeps getting more value over time without demanding more money.
Honour Mode And New Subclasses Change How You Play
The standout feature for many dedicated players is Honour Mode. Instead of just giving enemies more health or turning them into damage sponges, this mode cranks up the tension by making your choices matter more. Death is permanent, mistakes can end a run, and you need to plan every fight and every rest.
It is similar in spirit to Hardcore or Survival modes you may know from games like Skyrim or Fallout. Those modes add things like food and sleep needs and restrictions on saving. The point is not just difficulty on paper, it is forcing you to think ahead, manage resources, and really understand the mechanics of your build.
In a game that already encourages multiple playthroughs, this extra challenge is a great reason to return. It is especially satisfying for players who enjoy build crafting and squeezing maximum performance out of their party. With Honour Mode on, your PC hardware is not the only thing that needs to be optimized.
This is where the new subclasses come in. Larian added a full set of new options covering the original base classes. Some highlights for min maxers and curious players include:
- Hexblade A favorite for weapon focused spellcasters who want both melee power and magical tricks.
- Bladesinger A flashy wizard martial hybrid who rewards careful positioning and timing.
- Arcane Archer A ranged specialist who can apply magical effects with well placed shots.
- College of Swords Bard A long time favorite that mixes support abilities with strong personal damage.
These subclasses do more than change a couple of numbers. They open up fresh strategies and combos. If you have already beaten Baldur's Gate 3 once, trying Honour Mode with a brand new subclass can make the whole adventure feel completely different.
Why Now Is A Great Time To Replay On PC
Larian has indicated that the wave of big updates is winding down and that the recent batch of subclasses likely marks the end of major new content. That might sound like the end of the party, but in practice it means Baldur's Gate 3 has reached a stable, feature rich state that is perfect for replaying.
If you are one of the many players who got partway into the campaign at launch and then bounced off, there is a strong case for starting fresh now. Between the polished performance, the extra epilogue, and the expanded build options, the experience is simply better today than it was at release.
Mod support on PC also keeps things interesting. With official tools and an in game mod manager, tweaking visuals, balance, or adding small bits of content is much more accessible than in many other big RPGs. For players who enjoy customizing every part of their setup from their GPU to their user interface, this mod scene is a natural fit.
The final cherry on top is that build guides are more refined now. The community has had time to test and iterate on multiclass combinations and item synergies. For example, some earlier Bard multiclass setups have been replaced with cleaner and stronger options that lean on late game gear.
The bottom line for PC gamers is simple. Baldur's Gate 3 launched as one of the best RPGs in years, and two years later it is an even better package. With deep build variety, a hardcore mode that respects your time and skill, and strong support for mods and cross play, there is plenty of life left in this adventure. If your gaming rig has been waiting for a long, meaty RPG to chew on, this is still the one to install and lose yourself in.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/baldurs-gate/baldurs-gate-3-started-on-top-and-kept-on-climbing-larian-said-it-wouldnt-make-a-sequel-then-drip-fed-us-an-expansions-worth-of-free-updates-into-2025/
