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Baldur’s Gate 3 is set in 1492 DR, 120 years after the conclusion of the Bhaalspawn Saga in Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the highest-rated games of all time. It is the only title to win 5 major Game of the Year awards in a year. Critics have raved about it and praised it extensively, and fan reviews echo the same sentiment. Steam scores are soaring, so you may want to try it out finally. And that brings forth the question – Do you need to play Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 to play Baldur’s Gate 3? The answer is no! But, there’s some nuance here. Let us explain.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Timeline Explained
Baldur’s Gate 3, as the name suggests, is the third game in the franchise. Set in the Forgotten Realms in the Dungeons and Dragons universe, the game takes place 120 years after the events of Baldur’s Gate 2.
Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 follow the story of the descendants of Bhaal, the dead God of Murder. The two games are interconnected, and take place over a span of three years between 1368 DR to 1370 DR (Dale Reckoning, the calendar used in the Forgotten Realms).
The third game kicks off in 1492 DR, over a century after the conclusion of the Bhaalspawn saga. Despite the time that has passed, references to the saga are made in the world of BG3. It also brings back some characters from the previous games, namely Minsc and Jaheira, but you do not have to know the lore to connect with them. The experience is definitely enhanced for those who have played the previous games.
The main plot of Baldur’s Gate focuses on an entirely new threat and cast of characters. References to the Bhaal and Bhaalspawn are sprinkled in, but only as tongue-in-cheek fan service.
Gameplay Connections to Previous Games
Baldur’s Gate 3 is the third installment in the franchise and naturally comes with refinement and quality-of-life features that the previous games in the series lack. Despite being part of the same series, Baldur’s Gate 3 also has different combat mechanics. BG 1 and 2 have real-time combat, whereas BG3 is a turn-based RPG.
The first two games, limited by the technology of their time, use an isometric presentation similar to what you’d see in Age of Empires. The third game comes with a freely movable camera and 3D character models.
All in all, Larian Studios, while making the game, was well aware of the nearly 20-year gap in the franchise and put in the work to help the latest entry stand on its own. So no, you don’t need to play Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 to play Baldur’s Gate 3. You can start playing BG3 as a standalone experience!
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