Baldur’s Gate 3 didn’t just crash into the gaming world—it kicked in the tavern doors, downed a health potion, and made everyone fall in love with turn-based RPGs again. Larian Studios pulled off a near-miracle: making a Dungeons & Dragons game that’s both accessible to new players and a love letter to the lore-obsessed veterans. But how well does it actually represent the world of Faerûn?
Let’s be clear: no adaptation will ever get everything right. Faerûn, the main continent in the Forgotten Realms setting, has been evolving for decades. Still, BG3 delivers more hits than misses—and a few fascinating stumbles worth talking about.
Nailed It: The Mood and Magic of the Forgotten Realms
One thing Baldur’s Gate 3 absolutely nails is the tone of the Forgotten Realms. From the moment you step off the Nautiloid and into the chaos of the Sword Coast, the world feels alive. There’s mystery in every abandoned ruin, danger in every shadowy cave, and just enough magic in the air to make you hesitate before opening a dusty old chest.
The use of familiar locations like Baldur’s Gate itself (eventually) and the Underdark is done with care and fan-service finesse. Longtime D&D fans will recognize landmarks, factions, and spells pulled straight from the sourcebooks. And the game doesn’t shy away from deep cuts—Mind Flayers, Githyanki, and the Dead Three aren’t just name-drops; they’re integral to the story.
Even better, the game lets you live the D&D experience. Want to shove an enemy off a ledge? Go for it. Cast “Speak with Dead” on a random skeleton? Absolutely. It’s the kind of chaotic freedom that tabletop fans dream of.
Lore-Twisting or Lore-Breaking?
Now, here’s where it gets messy. While BG3’s respect for the setting is clear, it also takes creative liberties—some small, some colossal. The biggest eyebrow-raiser? How the game handles the tadpole and Mind Flayer transformation. According to traditional Faerûn lore, ceremorphosis (the process of becoming a Mind Flayer) is brutal and irreversible. In BG3, you walk around for days with a tadpole in your brain and somehow get… cooler?
It’s a smart gameplay mechanic, no doubt. But for lore purists, it feels like a stretch. The same goes for certain companion storylines that bend canon to serve dramatic flair. The flexibility makes sense from a narrative design perspective, but if you’re used to D&D campaigns that hold tight to Wizards of the Coast’s rulebooks, some elements might feel more homebrew than holy writ.
Still, the tweaks are usually in service of storytelling. If anything, they make the world more dynamic for new players picking up the game after grabbing a few cheap Steam games to get started in the CRPG genre.
The Verdict: Mostly True, Slightly Twisted
Baldur’s Gate 3 walks a fine line between faithful adaptation and modern reimagining. The world it presents is dripping with atmosphere, magic, and reverence for its source material. But it’s not afraid to bend the rules when it makes the story stronger or the gameplay more compelling.
And honestly? That’s the spirit of D&D anyway. Every dungeon master adds their own flavor to the world. Larian just happens to be the DM for millions of players at once.
If you’re diving into Faerûn for the first time—or you’re a returning adventurer hoping to spot familiar lore tucked into new narratives—this game is worth your time. And if you’re looking to explore more digital worlds without breaking the bank, check out digital marketplaces like Eneba. It’s a great place to score deals on titles, including those legendary cheap Steam games you’ve been meaning to try.
