Baldur’s Gate 3is one of the best games I’ve played in years. Not only did it scratch that proverbial itch I’ve had for a BioWare-like RPG experience, but it introduced me to some of my favorite characters, likeAstarionandShadowheart. One of the things that I wasn’t 100% satisfied with, however,was its ending. ButLarian Studios, as it has done since the initial release of the game several months back, has kept a steady stream of big updates. The biggest (and best) in my opinion was Patch 5, which implemented the new epilogue.
I fired up my recently finished solo campaign and was automatically feeling the feels of rewatching the ending once more. In my playthrough, I had romanced both Astarion and Halsin. Karlach and Wyll went to Avernus to fight against endless demon hordes, and Lae’zel had become the leader of the Githyanki rebellion after Orpheus had sacrificed himself to bring the end of the Big Brain Baddie.
The “Old, Boring” Couple Returns
After the original scenes I’d experienced, Astarion and Serenity (my character) had walked onto the screen, being the boring romantic couple that I had wanted them to be. They’d chosen to settle down and live quietly when, one day, Boneman (aka Withers) sent them a message saying that he’d like to have the gang meet up and discuss their lives for the past six months, after killing the Big Brain Baddie.
The party was in a well-decorated area, with lights streaming above and everyone in new clothes. Because Serenity was stuck to Astarion’s hip, it was only fair that they’d start the festivities by talking with him, only to be lovingly shooed away to talk with the others.
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First was Shadowheart. She’d taken to life on the road and continued to adventure. She did have a place to stay but, pun intended, her heart was meant for the road. She’d found solace in the temple of Selune, who was once her sworn enemy. She apologized for the way she spouted on about Shar, the Dark Lady, and gave Serenity kudos for dealing with her crap during the main game. She wished Serenity and Astarion the best.
There was a projection of Lae’zal present, because she was busy doing things in another plane of existence. Gale became a teacher. Wyll and Karlach might’ve found a way to get her infernal heart fixed. And “Daddy Halsin,” as the children he oversees call him, found himself so enamored with his new role as a leader that he started to find himself rooted in one area, which is quite the twist from his general “I go wherever because it’s what nature intended” philosophy he spoke of ad nauseam (something that got Serenity into a throuple with him and Astarion).
Serenity made their rounds, going to each of the other characters, and one thing that was apparent was all of them had had their own adventures, their own lives to live, and Serenity wasn’t a part of them. And that was the greatest thing I could imagine for my character.
Moving On Without Me Is Amazing
As much as I love playing the hero and being fawned over within an adventurer’s tale, one of the things I appreciate is when there’s a great amount of believability injected into the narrative. That believability comes from seeing that my character’s comrades have indeed been doing things outside of their narrative.
Initially, I felt like the ending to Baldur’s Gate 3 felt a bit rushed. It felt like Larian had to wrap things up quickly because we players were going to get bored with all the post-game “talking heads” moments. Obviously that’s exactly what we wanted. And boy did they deliver.
After an hour or so of reflection, interactions, hugs from friends (and kisses from Halsin), Serenity gave Withers the queue to give a final toast. Boneman waxed poetics about adventures, friendship, and even love — all things that made the adventure so memorable for me. It felt like everyone at Larian had stepped out of the TV and hugged me and genuinely thanked me for playing their game over and over again.
Astarion reassured Serenity that they’d be together for a long time, and as corny as it was, I really needed to hear him say that.
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All The Feels For Free
The thing I couldn’t get over when finishing up the epilogue was that the entire experience was free. Since buying the game in September, I’ve yet to drop another cent on the content, and I’ve felt far more satisfied with it than I have with so many other RPGs.
The beautifully wrapped-up experience was reminiscent of bothMass Effect 3’s Citadel DLC andDragon Age Inquisition’s Trespasser DLC. Both DLC acted as a final hurrah for the player. Citadel takes you on a comical ride that involves “twin Shepard” and a toothbrush that saves the day, and ends with a big party at Shepard’s apartment. To this day, burning a steak with Kaidan is one of my favorite moments in the series.
Trespasser, on the other hand, was a return to form for Inquisition, as it ditched the bloated open world nature of the game and took on a more story-focused approach found in previous entries. It revealed Solas as the Dreadwolf, and gave my character more time with Dorian, who was his chosen romance and who he’d been away for quite some time due to Dorian’s new role.
While those experiences, length wise, were meatier, they came almost a year after the game had been out, and criticisms of the respective games were made and processed by the devs. On top of this, they both cost money. Both DLC sat at $15 during their initial launch. Baldur’s Gate 3’s new epilogue didn’t cost an extra cent.
At this point in my experience of replaying Baldur’s Gate 3, I can say that the full experience is already there. From now on, anything will be extra. And if it ends up having paid DLC, I will proudly wave my Benjamins in Larian’s face and say “Shut up and take my money.”
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