Pure Evil in Baldur’s Gate 3: A Disappointing Experience
Imagine a scene in Baldur’s Gate 3 where you witness a character playing a musical instrument for a crowd, only to realize that another party member is pickpocketing them in the midst of the entertainment. It’s a devious act, isn’t it? Or picture yourself whispering sweet nothings to a companion, only to sleep with someone else and break your companion’s heart. Sounds vile, right? These scenarios exemplify the opportunities for misdeeds and general assholery that Baldur’s Gate 3 presents. However, despite the game’s many possibilities for evil actions, it ultimately falls short in delivering a satisfying purely evil experience.
A Lack of Truly Evil Characters
The first issue with Baldur’s Gate 3 is the absence of characters aligned with evil. Most of the companions in the game, such as Karlach, Wyll, Halsin, Shadowheart, and Gale, exhibit either good or neutral tendencies. Even the seemingly arrogant and abrasive Lae’zel does not act on evil motivations. The only companion who fits the bill is Astarion, who embraces his dark past and scoffs at acts of kindness. Therefore, assembling a party of like-minded evil characters is challenging, as the companion approval system favors those with similar views. This limitation diminishes the potential for a truly evil playthrough.
The Dilemma of Choosing Minthara
One pivotal decision in Act 1 involves picking a side in a conflict between Minthara’s goblin army, tieflings, and druids. Choosing Minthara means aligning with an evil faction and committing countless acts of violence and massacre. While this decision may lead to a romance with Minthara, it also results in significant consequences. Karlach and Wyll permanently leave your party, Halsin refuses to assist you further, and potential interactions and quests tied to these companions become unavailable. Is gaining one companion worth losing three others and potentially missing out on crucial storylines and romances? The indeterminate fate of Minthara’s character development in later acts further undermines the appeal of this decision.
The Peril of Choosing Isobel and Nightsong’s Fate
In Act 2, Baldur’s Gate 3 presents players with two important decisions that test their commitment to an evil playthrough. Choosing to murder Isobel, the cleric protecting Last Light Inn, or Nightsong, the aasimar daughter of Selune, has severe consequences. Either decision leads to the complete destruction of Last Light Inn and potentially prevents the completion of various companion quests, recruitment opportunities, and romances. These ramifications highlight the dilemma faced by players who seek a purely evil experience. Is sacrificing multiple companions and storylines worth pursuing one particular outcome?
The Dark Urge: The Ultimate Evil Playthrough
The Dark Urge playthrough in Baldur’s Gate 3 offers the most extreme form of evil. In this path, your character is possessed by a murderous rage, seeking to kill and maim everything in their path. While the Dark Urge storyline receives praise for its intensity and character development, it ironically works best as a redemption arc. Breaking free from Bhaal’s control and turning away from pure evil provides a more compelling narrative. The potential consequences and the underwhelming rewards for purely evil actions in this playthrough leave much to be desired.
In conclusion, while Baldur’s Gate 3 is an exceptional game with its reactivity and multiple outcomes, it falls short of delivering a truly satisfying purely evil experience. The lack of evil-aligned characters, the high stakes and trade-offs of significant decisions, and the conflicting nature of the Dark Urge playthrough all contribute to the game’s failure in fulfilling this aspect of gameplay. Players seeking a purely evil role-playing experience may find themselves disappointed by the limited rewards and unsatisfactory conclusions.