Baldur’s Gate 3: The Perfect RPG I Don’t Have Time For
A Love Letter to a Game I Can’t Finish
This is not a negative review. Let me be absolutely clear about that, because what I’m about to say might sound like criticism but it’s really something more complicated.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the best RPGs ever made. It has everything I love in a game: meaningful decisions, tactical combat, companion systems that rival Mass Effect, build diversity that puts most RPGs to shame, and a level of player freedom that’s genuinely staggering.
And I’ll probably never finish it.
Everything I Want, All at Once
Let me run through the checklist of things I care about in games and show you why BG3 is, on paper, my perfect RPG:
Meaningful progression? Every level-up opens new abilities, new multiclass options, new ways to approach encounters. The D&D 5e system provides a fantastic framework for character building.
Tough decisions? The game constantly presents choices with real consequences. Characters live or die based on your decisions. Entire storylines open or close depending on what you do.
Tactical combat? Turn-based combat with environmental interactions, height advantage, surface effects, and the full complexity of D&D’s action economy. It’s like XCOM met D&D and they had a very gifted child.
Companion investment? The companion system is among the best in gaming. Shadowheart, Astarion, Karlach, Lae’zel — these aren’t just party members, they’re characters with arcs that respond to your decisions in nuanced ways.
Freedom? You can solve almost any problem multiple ways. Sneak past, fight through, talk your way out, find a creative environmental solution — the game supports approaches its designers probably never imagined.
So what’s the problem?
The Problem Is Me
The problem is that I’m an adult with a job, responsibilities, and limited gaming time. And BG3 asks for something I don’t have: 80-100 hours of focused engagement.
This isn’t a game you can pick up for 30 minutes and make meaningful progress. The quests are long. The exploration is deep. The systems demand attention. Playing BG3 properly requires the same kind of time commitment I’d give a university course.
I’ve started two playthroughs. Both times, life interrupted around Act 2. Both times, when I came back weeks later, I’d forgotten crucial plot threads, NPC relationships, and tactical plans. Both times, I almost started over.
The Adult Gamer’s Dilemma
I know I’m not alone in this. There’s a growing population of gamers who grew up with RPGs, who have the skills and desire to play deep, complex games, but who simply don’t have the continuous hours to invest.
BG3 doesn’t have a “quick play” mode. It doesn’t have a “recap what you missed” feature. It’s designed for the kind of deep, immersive sessions that I could afford in my twenties but can’t in my current life.
This isn’t Larian’s fault. They made the game they wanted to make, and it’s brilliant. The mismatch is between the game’s scope and my available bandwidth.
What I’ve Experienced Is Outstanding
The hours I HAVE played are some of the best RPG hours of my life.
The Goblin Camp in Act 1 is a masterclass in open-ended design. The number of ways you can approach it — diplomacy, stealth, full assault, betrayal, creative use of explosives — is staggering. I spent an entire evening just exploring the options.
The companion campfire scenes are among the best character moments in gaming. The way relationships develop based on your actions, not just dialogue choices, creates an authenticity that most RPGs miss.
The combat, when you have time to really engage with it, is phenomenal. Combining spells with environmental effects, using height and positioning, setting up combo plays between party members — it’s tactical heaven.
The Same Problem, Different Game
This exact same tension applies to Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader, another massive CRPG that demands a similar time investment. Both games are exactly my type. Both sit in my library partially played, taunting me with their excellence.
There’s a specific kind of pain in knowing a game is perfect for you and not being able to fully experience it. It’s not frustration at the game — it’s frustration at the constraints of adult life.
What Makes BG3 Special
- Unparalleled freedom: The most player-responsive RPG ever made
- D&D combat done right: Turn-based tactical depth with environmental creativity
- Companion depth: Characters that react to your actions, not just your words
- Consequence-driven narrative: Decisions that genuinely matter and ripple through the game
- Co-op: Playing with friends adds a layer of chaotic brilliance
The Honest Truth
- Time investment: 80-100 hours minimum for a single playthrough. This is the elephant in the room
- Complexity ramp: The system depth can be overwhelming, especially for players unfamiliar with D&D
- Act 3 pacing: Even fans acknowledge that the third act feels rushed compared to the meticulous first two
- Save management: Long quest chains with branching consequences make save management almost a mini-game
Final Thoughts
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a triumph of RPG design. It’s the game I’d design if I could make my dream RPG. It has systems, progression, tactical depth, meaningful choices, and characters worth caring about.
And I’m being honest with you: if you have the time for it, it might be the best RPG you’ll ever play. I mean that sincerely. The quality is undeniable.
If you’re like me — if your gaming sessions are measured in occasional hours rather than dedicated weekends — go in with realistic expectations. You might not finish it. But the hours you DO spend with it will be some of the finest gaming of your life.
Ready to embark on the journey? Get your copy of Baldur’s Gate 3.
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