Highlights

  • Baldur's Gate 3 runs just as well on PS5 as it does on PC, with comparable graphics and performance, especially on high or ultra settings.
  • Both PS5 and PC versions of Baldur's Gate 3 have solid overall frame rates, but occasional drops can make the game look sluggish in crowded areas.
  • The main issue with the PS5 version is the controls, which are more friendly to PC players using a mouse and keyboard, making the menus and interface overwhelming for some PS5 players.

Baldur's Gate 3 has taken the gaming world by storm since its initial release on PC back in August. Although Larian Studio's fantasy title was a highly anticipated release, it exceeded the expectations of many gamers and has raised the bar for other turn-based RPGs. Among both critics and gamers, Baldur's Gate 3 quickly gained rave reviews, and the positive feedback made those eager to play the game on PS5 even more excited.

However, when it comes to PC and consoles, sometimes games run better on one than the other, and one of the main questions surrounding Baldur's Gate 3's September 6 release on the PS5 was whether it would run as well as it does on the PC or not. Whether it's playing Baldur's Gate 3 with a controller or the overall performance and graphics, the differences between playing the game on PC and PS5 are mostly slight, but there is one main difference that could leave some PS5 players frustrated.

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How Does Baldur's Gate 3 on PS5 Compare to the PC Version?

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When it comes to the general performance of the game, Baldur's Gate 3 seems to run just as well on PS5 as it does on PC, especially when the PC is running on high or ultra settings. Despite Baldur's Gate 3 experiencing some split-screen issues on PS5, the graphics and performance of the game are quite comparable to that of the PC version. Although a more high-powered PC will fare better when it comes to performance and appearance, the PS5 and mid-range PCs will find themselves performing nearly just the same depending on what settings the PC is on.

When it comes to frame rate, both the PS5 and the PC version of Baldur's Gate 3 remain solid overall, but there is the occasional frame rate drop in heavily-populated areas, especially the titular city that appears in Act 3 of Baldur's Gate 3. The frame rate can sometimes drop to the mid-20s, which can leave the game looking sluggish. However, this is the case for both versions of the game and is not exclusive to PC or PS5. For those who want to purchase the game on PS5 but are nervous about the possibility of Baldur's Gate 3 not running as well as it does on PC, the performance on the PS5 is just as good.

However, the main issue the PS5 sees when being compared to the PC version of Baldur's Gate 3 is the controls. When playing both versions of the game, one may quickly realize that the controls and overall interface is more friendly to PC players who use a mouse and keyboard. Although the PC version also provides the option for players to use a controller for that specific version, those who aren't enjoying using a controller for the PC can simply switch back to using a mouse and keyboard. For those who are playing on PS5, a controller is obviously the only option available, and it can sometimes feel overwhelming when trying to search through the game's complex menus and interface. This might become frustrating for some players, especially those who are diving into the world of dense turn-based RPGs for the first time.

Even though the controls and menus feel better on the PC, Baldur's Gate 3 is now the highest rated PS5 game, proving that the sometimes uncomfortable controls are not an issue for most of the players who have jumped into the game. Since the Baldur's Gate games have been more popular on PC in the past, it makes sense for the controls and interface to be more PC-friendly, but that hasn't stopped the fantasy RPG from being a PS5 hit. Once PS5 players get comfortable with the game's complex interface, Baldur's Gate 3 provides hours of amazing gameplay and content that is an incredible experience on both PC and PS5.

Baldur's Gate 3 is out now for PC and PS5 with an Xbox Series X/S version in development.

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