Baldur’s Gate 3: Exploring the Length and Acts of the Game
Baldur’s Gate, known for its expansive open-world RPG gameplay, has returned with its third installment. Developed by Larian Studios, Baldur’s Gate 3 offers players a deeply immersive experience with diverse environments and choices that lead to different outcomes.
During its three-year early access period, fans of the Dungeons & Dragons franchise eagerly anticipated updates and additional content. As a game that can be quite time-consuming, players wondered how many acts Baldur’s Gate 3 would consist of.
BG3: How Many Acts Are In the Game?
Currently, Baldur’s Gate 3 features a three-act story. However, this doesn’t mean that the game is limited to just three chapters. The first act alone can take players anywhere from 15 to 20 hours to complete, depending on their exploration and completion of side quests. According to Swen Vincke, one of the developers of Baldur’s Gate 3, Act 2 is the largest portion of the game, while Act 3 is the shortest but brings the story to its climax.
As the game is set in the titular city of Baldur’s Gate, there is a vast amount to see and do. Being a Dungeons & Dragons game, players have the freedom to make impactful choices throughout their journey.
Here’s an overview of the acts in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Act 1: Introduces players to the world of Baldur’s Gate 3, its main characters, and sets the stage for future events.
- Act 2: This ambitious and expansive act introduces new characters, locations, and propels the story forward.
- Act 3: The culmination of the player’s journey, this act is shorter but offers the greatest challenges and rewards.
How Long Does it Take to Beat Baldur’s Gate 3?
The time required to complete each act depends on the player’s focus on the main story and their exploration of Faerun. Each act expands upon the content, offering players plenty to engage with. Based on statistics from HowLongToBeat, Baldur’s Gate 3 can take anywhere from 24 to 70 hours to complete if players solely concentrate on the main story. However, for those who prefer a more casual playstyle, which includes side quests, Larian Studios estimates a completion time of 75 to 100 hours.
Considering the length of Larian Studios’ previous game, Divinity: Original Sin 2, Baldur’s Gate 3 is expected to be even lengthier. With this in mind, estimated completion times for each act are as follows:
- Act 1: Approximately 50+ hours
- Act 2: Approximately 70+ hours
- Act 3: Approximately 40-50 hours
Other Things to Consider While Playing Baldur’s Gate 3
In addition to the game’s scope and content, players should also consider other factors that can consume their time in Baldur’s Gate 3. The game offers various romantic options with multiple characters, including the ability to romance the Dreamlover within your character’s mind.
Furthermore, your actions in the game will lead to unique endings tailored specifically to your choices. With a reported 17,000 possible endings, players may find themselves investing countless hours to achieve their desired outcome. Every decision made within the game has the potential to influence the finale of the story.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Three-Act Story Isn’t Short By Any Means
While some may assume that Baldur’s Gate 3 lacks content due to its three-act structure, it is important to recognize the vast amount and depth of the game. With hundreds of playthrough options, a script consisting of 2 million words, and hours of cutscenes, each experience is unique. It is safe to say that no two playthroughs of Baldur’s Gate 3 will be the same.