Baldur's Gate 3 is Larian Studios' extraordinary achievement — a CRPG of large scope and strong narrative reactivity. It released on Windows on 3 August 2023, PS5 on 6 September 2023, macOS on 22 September 2023 and Xbox Series X|S on 7 December 2023; a Linux build optimized for the Steam Deck followed on 23 September 2025. Based on the D&D 5th Edition ruleset, it follows a group of characters infected with Mind Flayer tadpoles as they navigate a world threatened by a Githyanki invasion while pursuing their own intertwining goals.
The reactivity of the world is BG3's defining achievement. Every choice — who you side with, what you say, what you do in combat — has documented and undocumented consequences that ripple through the narrative. The game tracks many variables and checks them in ways players often only discover on later playthroughs.
The companion system creates some of gaming's most memorable character relationships: Astarion the vampire rogue, Shadowheart the cleric with a secret, Gale the wizard who ate a Netherese orb, Lae'zel the Githyanki warrior, Wyll the warlock, and Karlach the tiefling barbarian. Companions have their own storylines, several of them can be romanced, and outcomes depend on your choices. Co-op supports up to four players, online or split-screen. In April 2024 BG3 became the first game to win Game of the Year at all five major ceremonies (Golden Joystick Awards, Game Developers Choice Awards, D.I.C.E. Awards, BAFTA and The Game Awards), and Wikipedia reports over 20 million copies sold by the end of 2025.
Your choices are tracked and can surface consequences hours later, giving the story a high degree of reactivity.
Co-op for up to four players (online or split-screen), each controlling their own character; the host makes the main story dialogue decisions.
Full implementation of D&D 5th Edition rules — spells, abilities, saving throws, and conditions create emergent tactical combat.
Six of the companions can be chosen as your own character (origins), and companions have personal storylines whose outcomes depend on your decisions.
Release facts, mechanics and boss details on this page were checked against these sources on 12 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us.