Baldur's Gate 3 is just weeks away, and the CRPG from Larian Studios' hype is at an all-time high after the success of the game's early access. It's been over 20 years since the beginning of the franchise under Bioware, and Baldur's Gate 3 is likely to be the first game of the series for many new players only just discovering the landmark fantasy titles. While the original Baldur’s Gate releases may be dated, they are still widely considered must-play games due being some of the truest RPG experiences ever presented within the medium.
Baldur's Gate and Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn are based on iterations of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons rules, also known as the second edition rule set. With it having taken the impressive RPG Baldur's Gate 3 so long to finally emerge, the upcoming third entry is actually based on Dungeons and Dragons' fifth edition. During the time in between games, both of the original titles have received Enhanced Edition updates that expanded upon their existing massive quantities of content. Between all the options for races, classes, alignment, and variation in outcome and player choice within each feature-complete game, they can be replayed nearly endlessly. Realistically, however, playthroughs of the prior Baldur's Gate games leading up into the upcoming third require no shortage of time.
Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition: 40 Hours - 70 Hours+
The original Baldur's Gate was developed by Bioware and released in 1998 before the updated Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition followed in 2012, updating the game with more companions and content from the Tales of the Sword Coast expansion. The tough learning curve of the series is evident through the fact that less than half of Baldur's Gate players on Steam have the achievement "On My Own" earned by leaving Candlekeep, the game's starting area. The optional Enhanced Edition expansion The Black Pits is short and simply centered around combat encounters, while the Siege of Dragonspear is a controversially optional addition that released in 2016 meant to bridge the gap into the second game.
The base game of Baldur's Gate typically takes players up to 40 hours to complete, assuming that doesn’t involve striving for 100% completion. Tales of the Sword Coast generally takes around 10 hours on top of that, while The Black Pits is a shorter affair at just a few hours total. Siege of Dragonspear, optional and late as it is, can add a solid 20 hours to the end of the game leading up to the sequel. Seven available difficulty settings range between the “Story Mode” and “Legacy of Bhaal” options, likely to play a rather large role in the amount of time a unique Baldur's Gate playthrough ultimately takes.
Baldur's Gate 2: 50 - 90 Hours+
Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn was released in 2000 before its Throne of Bhaal expansion followed in 2001, while the sequel’s own Enhanced Edition later released in 2013. As a direct continuation to the first game, Baldur's Gate 2 notably operates at a higher level with more challenging enemy types from the start. The sequel is typically praised for its more personally involved side quests with multiple routes along with denser, more content-rich maps that make Baldur’s Gate 2 an immersive experience for most. Four base game companions and four added in the Enhanced Edition may seem bare, but they surpass the shallow depth of the first’s 25 party members in an example of the second game’s biggest strength.
The base game of Baldur's Gate 2 typically takes around 50 hours to complete, with Throne of Bhaal adding another solid 20 hours on to the experience for most players. Many consider the expansion to be a necessary continuation of the main story, and it is highly recommended to play through it. The Black Pits 2: Gladiators of Thay is capable of adding another further several hours, with some players even getting up to ten out of the Enhanced Edition's bonus content. Between all the expanded content of the first two Baldur’s Gate games, it’s safe to say that most would need from 90 to upwards of 160 hours to fully prepare for the imminent release of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Baldur's Gate 3 comes out on August 3 on PC and September 6 on PS5. An Xbox Series X/S version is in development.
