Prepare yourselves for an epic adventure! Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 is shaping up to be an incredible classic RPG, and it’s rumored to feature a mind-boggling 17,000 different endings. Talk about endless possibilities! As the successor to highly regarded CRPGs of the past, Baldur’s Gate 3 has some big shoes to fill, but the developers are determined to meet those lofty expectations. The game is packed with so much content that Larian estimates it would take a whopping 18 playthroughs just to experience everything with a single character.
While it’s true that some developers have expressed concerns about Baldur’s Gate 3 setting an unfair standard for RPG studios with its substantial funding, extensive development time, and large team at Larian, it’s important to note that the game’s exceptional 174 hours of cutscenes is more of an exception than a rule. It would be unrealistic to expect such extensive content from most other RPGs in the future.
According to reports, there are approximately 17,000 endings in the game. One of the talented writers spent around six months primarily focusing on crafting the game’s conclusion. In an interview with Fextralife, the writer confirmed this staggering number of endings, clarifying that it doesn’t mean there are thousands of entirely different story endings.
Instead, it refers to the various outcomes that result from the different choices players make throughout their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough. The magnitude of the ending variations was further confirmed when Larian’s director of publishing tweeted, “Oh no they found the 17,000 number.”
Oh no they found the 17,000 number https://t.co/54zAaGsfYj
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) July 17, 2023
When it comes to the main, overarching story endings in Baldur’s Gate 3, the writer interviewed by Fextralife did not provide a specific number. This suggests that the number of main story endings may not be easily quantifiable, similar to games like Elden Ring with six endings or Cyberpunk 2077 with five endings.
It’s possible that Larian Studios has not yet determined the exact number of main story endings, or they may have a different approach altogether. Additionally, it remains unclear how the 17,000 possible variations in the game will impact what players see onscreen at the end of their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough.
While some developers may express concerns about Larian Studios being overly ambitious with the game, if the company manages to meet or surpass player expectations, it could indeed set a new standard for other RPGs such as Mass Effect 4, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, and a potential sequel to Cyberpunk 2077. Unlike smaller studios, BioWare and CD Projekt Red have the resources and capabilities to rise to the challenge presented by Baldur’s Gate 3. This means that the game could provide both gamers and developers with a glimpse of what to expect from epic RPGs in the future.
Even if it takes time for competitors to catch up, Baldur’s Gate 3 will offer ample replayability, ensuring that players can continue to enjoy the game while waiting for other RPGs to emerge.
