Baldur's Gate III Developer Acknowledges That Act 3 May Not Resonate With All Players

Larian Studios is turning heads as the one to watch, particularly with Baldur's Gate III capturing acclaim at The Game Awards. We had the opportunity to connect with Anna Guxens, the senior RPG designer, to go over some elements of the game and its warm reception.

Displaying modesty about Baldur's Gate III's achievements, Guxens shared her surprise regarding Larian's victories and addressed potential areas for enhancement in the game. Notable critiques have targeted the third act, which Guxens acknowledges:

"Each act brings a distinct essence," says Guxens. "Act 2, for instance, concludes with a powerful moment that ends an entire chapter. Then you enter Act 3, where the shift in tone can be quite jarring, especially after many gameplay hours invested in the previous acts."

"I see the mixed reactions as valid. For some, the tone of Act 3 hits the right note, while others prefer Act 2. It's a hurdle, indeed, but also an invitation to give it a chance and something we'll be conscious of in our future work—aiming to moderate the transitions to make them less severe."

Since Baldur's Gate III's debut, the developers have addressed several performance issues in Act 3. Despite the significant change in tone and direction that comes with this act—a pivot that has been divisive among players—some find this evolution to be the game's highlight, whereas others are less enthusiastic.