Summary
Role-playing games have always been one of the most popular genres in the industry, and the category has consistently seen its output improve with each passing year. Entries likeGod of War: RagnarokandElden Ringhave contributed to this rise in recent years with Game of the Year-worthy performances, butBaldur’s Gate 3, the latest award recipient, is now the gold standard of the gaming world. The fantasy world-building and character depth from the Larian StudiosDungeons and Dragons-inspired project had few equals in 2023, and gamers are looking for titles that can sate the role-playing desiresBG3ignited.Wasteland 3is no newcomer to the scene, but it flew slightly under the radar withThe Last of Us 2taking the spotlight in 2020, andBG3fans could find a new home in the post-apocalyptic world.
At surface value, there might not be many points of intersection betweenBaldur’s Gate 3’s races and mythical-dominated lifestyle andWasteland 3’s Armaggedon premise. However, fantasy often operates along the lines of zombie apocalypse themes, and there’s a direct line that can be drawn to the more realistic nuclear meltdown seen in franchises likeFallout.Baldur’s Gate 3’s classesgenerated a lot of praise for their gameplay variety, and the Druids can summon undead mushroom creatures in the Circle of Spores subclass. This end-of-age-inspired trope provides a pipeline forBG3fans to find a new home inWasteland 3despite the markedly different focuses.
Wasteland 3 and Baldur’s Gate 3 Have Similar Themes in Vastly Different Worlds
Moral Dilemmas Provide Common Ground for BG3 and Wasteland 3
In terms of story,Baldur’s Gate 3blew away most of its competitors in the RPG scene with powerful visuals and an intricate narrative, drawing players in with each interaction of its multiple characters. Choice systems have been in play in gaming for ages, butBG3’s actionstook things up a notch with the unpredictability of its consequences – providing a vast storyline that left players frequently wondering about the “right” choices. Similarly,Wasteland 3challenges gamers with moral dilemmas, often confronting characters with decisions that have no clear-cut answer. It doesn’t let one escape without seeing firsthand the repercussions of their choices either.
For instance, gamers can choose between getting a reputation boost from protecting law-keepers transporting Power armor or saving an endangered family. Wandering through the ruins of the family’s old home after choosing the boost was a conscience trip from the developers, a subtle reminder that every decision will have ramifications on the lives of NPCs. Little decisions eventually build up into a wide variety of endings, and players won’t finish a run ofWasteland 3unscathed in terms of guilt for past (in)actions.
Mature Themes and Similar Combat Mechanics Add BG3 Familiarity to Wasteland 3
A big reason forBaldur’s Gate 3’s popularity in the gaming community was Larian Studios' unabashed decision to lean into colorful elements.Mature content madeBG3a hot talking point leading up to its release, as its profane dialogue and raunchy cutscenes dominated headlines. It also contained a good helping of dark humor and funny one-liners, which gave the title some much-needed personality. Likewise,Wasteland 3featured some NSFW content in its exaggerated blood sprays and color commentary, soBaldur’s Gate 3fans will feel right at home exploring the nuclear winter inWasteland 3’s Colorado Springs.
BG3’s core gameplay mechanics are also the same asWasteland 3, with both strategic role-playing games employing turn-based combat.BG3’s basis ofDnD5e rules expanded on traditionalCRPG strategywith reactions and opportunity attacks, rewarding players' careful thinking and close attention to their surroundings.Wasteland 3follows this premise, thrusting players into overwhelming battles requiring deliberate planning and a focus on environmental interaction. While their overarching narratives couldn’t be more distinct,Wasteland 3andBG3have more in common than meets the eye, and fans of the award-winning fantasy title can relate to the inXile Entertainment brainchild.
