Larian Studios held the Panel from Hell: Release Showcase, the final live update panel show before the launch of Baldur's Gate III on its recently moved up PC release date of August 3rd.
The team streamed from a medieval abbey, and discussed a number of big details, including being able to wildshape into a dinosaur and a fully customizable protagonist option. They’ve also revealed the third, and final, central antagonist– Orin the Red. She is voiced by actress Maggie Robertson, who some may remember as the voice of Lady Dimitrescu from Resident Evil: Village.
The Dark Urge is the final playable Origin character to be revealed. Larian Studios has recently been teasing a reveal with a community puzzle/murder mystery game, “Blood in Baldur’s Gate”, where a serial killer was out there committing brutal murders. The community was murdered and the killer was revealed as the Dark Urge.
So, one of the possible characters you can play is this serial killer. Unlike the other playable protagonists, the Dark Urge is fully customizable. By default, the character appears as a dragonborn, but you have full control over customizing the appearance, choosing gender, species, and class. Since there could be evil in anyone, they decided to leave it up to you. If you pick this character, you’ll spend the game committing the brutal acts or resisting that darkness within.
“You’ll begin Baldur’s Gate 3 with your memory lost after an unfortunate encounter between a parasitic tadpole and your brain. Now all that’s left is an insatiable urge – an urge that makes itself known in your subconscious, through your deepest thoughts and in your dialogue options.”
You have a mysterious companion who will egg you on to commit those violent acts again. If you choose, you will be able to make friends and even have romances but this might impact those as well.
In addition to being able to customize a potential serial killer protagonist, character creation was also showcased, with a wide range of customization options. You'll be able to personalize your character with things like tattoos, the option for heterochromia, a number of accessories like earrings or piercings, and added skin options that include freckles or scars. There is an age slider and the team has included body type options.
Larian even covered the topic of potential romance. Adam Smith, the game’s lead writer, said “Have you ever considered the joys and pleasures of sexual congress with a wildshaped Druid? Because at Larian, we have, and ultimately landed on the side of giving the people what they want: tender, consensual romance with a man temporarily transformed into a grizzly bear.”
This game is going to be a big one, folks, and it seems like there are plenty of options and possibilities baked in, including the ability to explore the city of Baldur’s Gate proper.
You can watch the full panel for all the reveals, and head to Baldur’s Gate III for more.
