One of the biggest similarities between RPGs and online games is how unwritten rules often form around certain actions. For example, it is an unwritten rule to never trust a mage in theDragon Agegames, while spamming moves in fighting games likeMortal Kombat isseriously frowned upon. As an extensive RPG with online co-op elements,Baldur’s Gate 3has its own unwritten rules already, even though it’s not even on PS5 yet.Baldur’s Gate 3has established itself as Game of the Year material and the personal GOTY for many fans. While manyreviews forBaldur’s Gate 3are likely still in progress, it has still established itself as one of the best PC and RPGs of the year, as its Metacritic score currently sits at 97 (after 21 reviews as of this writing). For comparison, that’s one point higher thanZelda: Tears of the Kingdom(but it has 145 reviews). What’s clear is how gaming fans have survived multiple massive games that have created major waves throughout the industry, and because of that, certain etiquette forBG3has already been made apparent.RELATED:Baldur’s Gate 3 Releases Another Hotfix Update
Baldur’s Gate 3 Stats: Community Engagement Rules
Recently, Larian Studios released some stats tied to its first weekend after release. It’s easy to gleam how players are tacklingBaldur’s Gate 3via these stats, especially when it comes to certain rules of engagement.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Unwritten Co-Op Rules
When it comes toco-op inBaldur’s Gate 3, there are a couple of obvious unwritten rules and etiquette to follow. Combat-wise, it’s best if each player controls some of BG3’s companions because it speeds up combat.
If players are starting the game together, then anything goes. Players may or may not miss out on certain conversations, but it’s how such a game should be enjoyed. There’s nothing wrong with listening in (except for inBaldur’s Gate 3’s romance scenes- those should be set to private dialogue for obvious reasons). On the other end of the spectrum, if someone is joining another player’s game but have either beaten it or are farther along, they should let the host enjoy as much as the game as possible. Giving them a powerful custom character to use later on is nice too.
Baldur’s Gate 3: A Word on Min-Maxing and Save-Scumming
If there is one area that the greaterBaldur’s Gate 3community seems split on, it’s how one embraces RPG and minmaxing classes and if they should save scum or not. Save Scumming references using saves and loads to get the best results possible every time, instead of letting the dice play out as they should. Some folks think it’s fine, others hate save scumming with a passion. There’s no hard unwritten rule here, but as long as everyone is enjoyingBaldur’s Gate 3, however they play, fans should just be happy for them.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Unwritten Rules for Companions
In a game likeBG3, it’s impossible for every player to decide on the same fate for a companion. Karlach, Wyll,Minthara, and so forth are so complex with so many endings that dubbing one of them the “best” is highly subjective. However, there are three unwritten rules for RPGs that do come into effect here.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Most Important Unwritten Rule is Simple
There are certainly other unwritten rules that fans engage with, and as players grow more experienced with it, more will likely emerge. However, there is one key unwritten rule forBaldur’s Gate 3that dominates every other discussed so far. And it’s pretty simple. However one plays, whatever rules one breaks, or however one engages with its system,Baldur’s Gate 3is the player’s story, whatever they want it to be. There are no canon choices, there are no strict do this or do that rules, or anything like that.
Baldur’s Gate 3is a feat in freedom for the player, and this rule protects it above all: someone giving intoIllithid Powershas their personal story, just as someone resists them. It’s a beautiful thing that every story in-game is just as valid as the other, and no two players or playthroughs will ever play out the same, not whenBaldur’s Gate 3’s endings have 17,000 variations.
Baldur’s Gate 3is available now on PC, with a PS5 version releasing on September 6.
