#this batch of incomprehensible thoughts is brought to you by my second cup of coffee

[pinacoladamatata]

i have some thoughts. long ramble about bg3 and comparisons to dai 

I’m not a huge fan of comparing BG3 to DAI as if DAI is some kind of ‘goal’, and there are plenty of games I like better than DAI, but on the other hand, it makes sense, as DAI is still quite popular and I absolutely compare certain aspects of BG3 to DAI, however... 

maybe I’m the odd one out here, but I truly feel like the writing for the companions in BG3 is better than DAI. I mean we’ve only seen act 1. So if I’m comparing BG3 early access - to DAI pre skyhold- honestly.... bg3 wins out on how interesting I find the npcs. 

In DAI, in Haven I honestly felt like ‘oh time to exhaust all the character's dialogue trees and see what they have to say because I don't want to miss huge story content’. But every DAI companion basically joined the inquisition because ‘they’re a good person/trying to do good for the world’, (even if they’re clearly fucking wrong *coughsolascough*)- 

-and the BG3 companions are all trying to save Themselves. Like, in so far as we know, the world in BG3 isn’t at stake of being destroyed. It’s a group of selfish people trying to save themselves (though they’ll probably uncover a much bigger plot that does endanger a larger part of the world but i digress). I genuinely enjoy when the companions get that little ! over their heads because I want to hear their thoughts. 

I like the writing better in BG3 so far. Maybe it’s because DA (both bioware and the fans) has left a bad taste in my mouth. Like I am dying to know more about Shadowheart’s past! What is Wyll going to do when we find Mizora?! I want so badly to see how Lae’zel reacts to arriving at the creche, or how Astarion will act if we encounter Cazador? What is Gale going to do if he has to confront his goddess?  

I had none of these thoughts when doing the DAI companions personal quests.... like... finding those goddamned artifacts for Solas. Now that I think about it, BG3 does not seem to have as many fetch quests. In fact I can’t really think of any, aside from Gale needing artifacts? Or the missing shipment? Where DAI is full of them. “go here. get me some weeds. come back.” “Inquisitor.... I’ve something for you...” “Inquisitor-”  

Now I do fully expect that the companions personal quests in BG3 will lead us to some ‘oh shit’ moments. I’d be lying if I said my hopes aren’t up a little after playing EA. The way side quests are handled where you are free to turn down everything that doesn’t interest you without locking yourself out of game content feels very freeing. Anyway, i like this game better than DAI already, even with the bugs in early access.