In what is fast becoming an industry staple, players that pick up either the Deluxe or Collector's Editions of just-announced-for-PS5 CRPG Baldur's Gate 3 will get access to the game three days early, from 28th August instead of the 31st August worldwide release.
It's a tempting proposition. But what are a few more days for veterans of the 'Gate, who have been waiting more than two decades for a follow-up to Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, widely regarded as one of the greatest RPGs ever conceived?
It's perhaps a good thing, then, that some of the other goodies included in the physical Collector's Edition are so appealing. It will run you £224.77, or $269.99 USD, and in addition to the aforementioned early access, players willing to pony up the extra will receive the following:
- A digital copy of Baldur’s Gate 3 Deluxe Edition
- Custom sticker sheet
- 25cm Mind Flayer vs. Drow battle diorama
- 160-page hardcover art book
- Cloth map of Faerûn
- Set of D&D-inspired origin character sheets
- Metal tadpole keyring
- Magic: The Gathering booster pack
- Custom-engraved metal d20, plus an in-game version
- Certificate of authenticity
Players opting for the Deluxe Edition will receive various downloadable goodies, like a playable Bard Song Pack, In-game Dice Skins, and Adventurer's Puch full of consumables to help you get started, and downloads for the soundtrack, artbook and character sheets, in addition to 72 hours early access.
Finally, both the Collector's and Deluxe Editions of the game will come with a content pack inspired by Larian Studio's impeccable Divinity: Original Sin 2:
- Mask of the Shapeshifter: Allows you to change race and appearance on the fly, inspired by Fane
- Cape of the Red Prince: Cloak inspired by the Red Prince
- Lute of the Merryweather Bard: Playable instrument inspired by Lohse
- Needle of the Outlaw Rogue: Dagger inspired by Sebille
- Bicorne of the Sea Beast: Headgear inspired by Beast
- Paintings from Rivellon: Discover a new collection of paintings across the Forgotten Realms
Are you as excited as we are to finally sink your teeth into Baldur's Gate 3? Try not to freak out in the comments section below.
[source ce.baldursgate3.game]
Comments 20
I’m getting this psychical disc only on PS5, day 1.
Been waiting a long time for this one. Beat DOS 1 and 2 with my bro, best co-op RPGs ever. Now next gen graphics and performance with a D&D setting? This is going to be amazing.
I played over 100 hours on pc and have to say it's goty worthy. Larian studios was the best choice for the future of baldurs gate. Cant wait to play the next chapters
Neat incentive, but I won't be buying either version.
Sorry, but a digital copy of a game in a £225+ edition of the game is unacceptable.
Though, at least it includes a copy of the game 🫤
Any editions that will let us play the game about 4500 hours early?
It's nice that we're getting close to release at last. Though this isn't for me since I've already been playing it for ages since I bought early access quite a while ago.
@NinjaNicky No, not at all. They're tactical, very in-depth RPGs based on Dungeons and Dragons. This one is turn-based whereas the previous two were real-time with pause - so imagine playing an RTS like StarCraft, with 6 characters rather than an army, and being able to pause it and issue orders.
That said, on the PS2 there were two spin-offs that were aimed at a more console audience that played like Diablo.
@Bentleyma I know you're joking, but actually yeah, the early access on PC has been available for a few years now - or at least it feels like a few years.
@NinjaNicky There are games that are very similar to Diablo like Grim Dawn, Path of Exile and Titan Quest, but I think they're only on PC. Torchlight 1, 2 and 3, as well, but tonally the series is very cartoony and light-hearted, so not like Diablo in that way. They were made by people that worked in Diablo 2, though, if I remember correctly.
I do enjoy a release spread sheet these companies put out.
I've managed to order a Collector's Edition for the PS5 just now, to go with the one that I ordered for the PC when that was first available to pre-order. I know it's expensive, but I have a display case in which they will look stunning. I downloaded the Early Access game on the day it released (which took forever!), but never fully finished it as Larian kept adding to it, and so I decided to await the finished product. So Larian have done well out of me, one EA game and two Collector's Editions of Baldur's Gate 3, to go with two copies of both Divinity 1 & 2 (one of each for the PC, and one for Xbox). Their games, and their Collector's Editions, are so very good. Divinity 2 is probably my favourite game of all time. So excited for the release of Baldur's Gate 3...
@Matroska Yeah I know you can get early access on PC. I don’t think my PC could handle it, plus I’m more of a console gamer anyway. I’ll just wait the 4500+ hours!
@NinjaNicky You can buy remasters of both PS2 Baldur’s Gate games on PS4/PS5.
@NinjaNicky Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance 1 & 2 are PS2 remasters on the PS4 so you might find they're more your cup of tea. Bit expensive at about £30 each but the first one occasionally appears in the store sale.
I think a lot of people would like to see Gauntlet: Dark Legacy remastered. You could always play Gauntlet: Legends on the PS1 (if you have a 1, 2 or 3 knocking around) but the graphics look terrible on an HD screen never mind 4K. Alternatively if you have a Wii knocking around (probably being used as a doorstop) then that will play the Gamecube version of Gauntlet Dark Legacy.
@NinjaNicky the ps2 re-releases are hack and slash games (dark alliance 1 and 2), this is more of your pc style, top down, strategy type rpg with either real time and pause, or turn taking. More like the original dragon age game, than DA inquisition, if you will.
@NinjaNicky the champions games were fantastic, and I've also eagerly awaited a more modern conpetitor- hoping diablo 4 will fill that gap!
Its out on my Birthday,but ill be getting the Deluxe edition,there are a very few developers ill always pre-order a game from and Larian are at the top of the very, very small pile
So after release we can expect the usual hard crashes, patches and too-small-to-read text.
Again i wont ever be buying a physical CE with a digital copy of the game. It's the first time with a firstparty title like GOW that i just waited to even buy the game. Especially with the crappy trick of selling a steelcase with no no game in it.
An incentive to pre order a game and break the golden rule? I'm good, thanks.
I'd probably have convinced myself to buy this if it came with a physical copy. Well stingy of them not to include one when they are asking for that much money.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...