Summary
The lead writer ofBaldur’s Gate 3, Adam Smith, has revealed that Larian heavily considered taking players back to a classic location from the first entry in the series. WhileBaldur’s Gate 3has plenty of locations to explore throughout the world, bringing back this location would have been a cool blast to the past for long-term fans of the franchise.
Larian’s latest RPG,Baldur’s Gate 3, remains one of the biggest hits from 2023. Its attention to detail was lauded by players and critics alike, and the game won countless Game of the Year awards throughout the industry. Since its release, individuals at Larian have been quite open about features that never quite made it into the finished game, which is refreshing to see. Just recently, Swen Wincke revealed thata journey through the afterlife was cut fromBaldur’s Gate 3, which would have been interesting to see come to fruition. While it’s sad to know what players almost got, there has to be some understanding that content is cut from just about every game, and it’s rare that a developer is as open about this as Larian is.
In an interview withRock Paper Shotgun,Baldur’s Gate 3’s lead writer, Adam Smith, confirmed that Larian heavily considered bringing back Candlekeep, the area where players experience the prologue in the original game. The plans were made because “there’s something interesting about that kind of library dungeon,” calling the idea of having somewhere so massive in theBaldur’s Gatelorepresent in the game “very, very attractive.” WithBaldur’s Gate 3taking place much later than the original game, it certainly would have been an interesting prospect to revisit where it all began.
The idea of revisitingCandlekeep inBaldur’s Gate 3was eventually abandoned, and Smith gave a few reasons why. “The biggest problem was that geographically, it’s on the way to Baldur’s Gate. So it’s like, are we going to stop on the way there? Are we going to go in and then come back out again, how are we going to position it like that?” He also offered an interesting take about whether Candlekeep was actually relevant to the storyline, claiming, “There’s a point where it becomes like, well, is this content for the sake of content? I hate the word ‘content’, but you know - is it actually adding to the story and the journey I’m on, where I am in my adventure?” Clearly, the answer for Larian here was no.
…is this content for the sake of content? I hate the word ‘content’, but you know - is it actually adding to the story and the journey I’m on, where I am in my adventure?
Smith raised a ton of interesting points in the interview regarding why Candlekeep never made it intoBaldur’s Gate 3, and ultimately, it seems like it was for the best. While revisiting old franchise locations makes for a strong hit of nostalgia, it’s also important that it makes sense in the narrative.Baldur’s Gate 3had one of thebest video game stories of 2023, precisely because everything makes sense and nothing feels forced. Larian seemed to get everything right with its latest release, and long may it continue with its upcoming projects.
Baldur’s Gate 3
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCEChoose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPICForged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian’s next-generation RPG engine.
