Larian Studios, the developer behind Divinity: Original Sin 2, is set to release the long awaited role-playing game Baldur's Gate 3 on August 31, for PlayStation 5, according to a new trailer shown in the latest PlayStation Showcase. The game will continue its early access period on PC until its full release at the end of August. In addition, the Digital Deluxe and Collector's editions of the game for PS5 have been unveiled in a new PlayStation blog post.
Baldur's Gate 3 is described by Larian Studios as a next-generation role-playing game that truly captures the essence of Dungeons & Dragons in a video game format. The game offers players the freedom to create their own character or select one of the team's hand-crafted original characters, each with their own unique traits, motivations, and perspectives.
These characters' stories are said to be intertwined with the overarching narrative, and each choice players make will determine their ultimate fate, including outcomes such as redemption, salvation, or domination.
Larian Studios has also confirmed that its grand cinematic storytelling adventure can be enjoyed either solo or with friends. The game features split-screen co-op for two players on a single PS5 or up to four players online. Moreover, the game will offer players a form of cooperative freedom in which they will have the option to team up for battles or go off on their own to pursue individual quests and objectives.
The studio elaborates on the new trailer in its blog post, revealing that it gives players a first look at General Ketheric Thorm, one of Baldur's Gate 3's three main antagonists. Due to his complicated ambitions and motivations, the studio chose JK Simmons (known for his role as J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man) to voice the character, whom they found to be very suitable for the role after only one take. In addition, the studio has teased the introduction of two more antagonists in the coming months.
The Deluxe Digital Edition of the game will have a number of exclusive goodies, including a playable bard song pack, an in-game dice skin, a Headstart Adventurer's Pouch, a digital soundtrack download, an art book, and character sheets. In addition, players who pre-order the Deluxe Edition will receive 72 hours of early access to Act I of the story.
The Collector's Edition includes all digital contents of the Deluxe Edition, as well as a 160-page hardcover art book, a cloth map of Faerûn, D&D-inspired character sheets, a custom engraved metal D20, a Magic: The Gathering booster pack, a metal tadpole keychain, a 25cm Mind Flayer vs. Drow battle diorama, a custom sticker sheet, and a certificate of authenticity.
Finally, the two editions will introduce a pack of items inspired by Divinity: Original Sin II, such as the Mask of the Shapeshifter. It is an item that allows you to change your race and appearance on the fly, inspired by Fane's ability in Original Sin 2 to transform into a human, lizard, elf, or dwarf. Other cosmetic items inspired by other characters from previous games are also getting included.