Highlights
- Final Fantasy 14 fans playing Baldur's Gate 3 have discovered a reference to the beloved character Haurchefant.
- The reference requires specific actions and background choices, making it easy to miss on the first playthrough.
- The crossover between the two games has been well-received by fans, showcasing the developers' understanding of their audience.
While exploring the Forgotten Realms in Baldur’s Gate 3, Final Fantasy 14 fans have discovered a reference to Haurchefant, one of the most beloved characters in the critically-acclaimed MMORPG. Finding this reference requires a Baldur’s Gate 3 character to take specific actions while using a particular background, so some players might miss it on their first playthrough.
Warning: This article has MAJOR SPOILERS for Final Fantasy 14: Heavensward.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is an immense game with a staggering amount of dialogue options, so it is impossible for players to see everything it has to offer in a single playthrough. Even so, players are already scouring the corners of Faerun for every Easter egg, reference, and secret they can find.
Some fans have now discovered a secret in Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3 that is a direct reference to one of the stars of Final Fantasy 14: Heavensward. If players have the Folk Hero background, they have the chance to speak with Alfira, a popular Bard NPC in the game. Should they choose certain inspiring dialogue options during their conversation, they are awarded with an Inspiration called “A Smile Better Suits…” Final Fantasy 14 players will immediately recognize this from the last line Haurchefant says before he dies: “Oh, do not look at me so. A smile better suits a hero…”
Despite having died in an expansion over eight years old, Haurchefant is one of the most popular characters in Final Fantasy 14 to this day. He is never far from the top of character popularity polls, even in spite of the stellar cast introduced in subsequent expansions. The game also regularly harkens back to Haurchefant, with his final words becoming a mantra players can repeat during a couple heartfelt moments in Shadowbringers and beyond.
Fans of both Final Fantasy 14 and Baldur’s Gate 3 loved this crossover between two of their favorite games. Some players who haven’t picked up Baldur’s Gate 3 even took interest, proving the impressive reach of the CRPG. The sheer amount of charming references in Baldur’s Gate 3 acted as proof to many that Larian Studios knows its audience, and are true gamers at heart.
Baldur’s Gate 3 has been a massive success. Though players have encountered a few glitches and performance issues, its launch has been smooth, and Baldur's Gate 3 has already put out multiple hotfixes in less than a week. With over seven times the number of expected players picking it up and counting, Baldur’s Gate 3 has a very real chance at being the 2023 Game of the Year.
Baldur's Gate 3 is out now for PC with a PS5 version releasing on September 6. An Xbox version is also in development.
