Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past few months, you’ve definitely seen countless heartfelt praises for Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studio’s D&D-inspired turn-based action RPG game.
However, if you’re like me, who has been waiting impatiently for Diablo IV, you may wonder, which one should you play, Diablo IV or Baldur’s Gate 3?
That’s the question I’ll answer today. So, grab your health potions and magic scrolls because we’re going on an epic adventure!
Diablo 4 vs. Baldur’s Gate 3: Which should you buy?
Let’s kick off with the most crucial difference between both games: Gameplay mechanics.
Diablo 4 vs. Baldur’s Gate 3: Gameplay differences
Diablo is like the Usain Bolt of action RPGs. It’s all about the fast-paced, click-and-slash action. You’ll be mowing down hordes of demons with the ferocity of a cat chasing a laser pointer. And the loot? It’s like opening presents on Christmas morning.
Meanwhile, Baldur’s Gate takes a slow and steady approach. It’s like a game of chess, but with swords and spells. Tactical thinking is your best friend here, and you’ll spend more time planning your moves than actually making them. It’s like a fine wine; you savor every moment.
Fast-paced action lovers may find Baldur’s Gate 3 a little…boring. The game isn’t actually so; it’s incredibly addictive, but only for the right audience. If you’ve never played D&D or any D&D-inspired turn-based games, I suggest watching some gameplay videos with voiceovers.
Voiceovers are essential, as they will help you understand what’s going on. Trust me on this: watching a turn-based game is incredibly boring if you don’t already know what’s going on.
Oh, and if you didn’t know, Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5 and Xbox has a completely different control that’s customized to the controller. So, playing Baldur’s Gate 3 on a console is much more enjoyable than Diablo 4.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is the first-ever turn-based game I’m playing, and before I started playing myself, I couldn’t make heads or tails of the gameplay videos. So, watching some beginner’s guide videos will be incredibly helpful.
Baldur’s Gate 3 vs. Diablo 4: Which one has a better story?
In the story department, Diablo is all about the battle between good and evil. You’re the hero trying to save the world from Lilith. It’s like an action movie where you’re the star, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. No pressure, right?
Baldur’s Gate, on the other hand, is like a Shakespearean drama. Betrayals, political intrigue, and more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. It’s like a gripping novel you can’t put down. You’re not just a hero; you’re a part of an epic saga.
That’s an oversimplification, but what makes Baldur’s Gate 3 infinitely replayable is the fact that your dialog options are practically endless.
Well, it’s not truly endless, but because there are such a huge number of factors (like your race, skills, class, subclass, companions, etc.), the story will branch into something completely new and unexplored every time you start with a new character.
And it’s not even just about different characters. If you start with the same characters, you may end up with entirely different storyline. Why? Because of dice rolls. You may have everything that you theoretically need to progress on a particular storyline, but luck may be off your side. One wrong dice roll, and you branch off in a completely different direction.
Different characters in Diablo 4 vs. Baldur’s Gate 3
Speaking of characters, Diablo 4 has a healthy amount of options for you to customize your character, but it’s simply no match when it comes to an enormous list of choices available to you to create your character. You could easily sink hours in the character creation screen in Baldur’s Gate 3.
That may sound tedious, but Baldur’s Gate 3 has no wrong answers. (Well, there are poor choices. But everyone learns by making mistakes!)
Think of the differences between Diablo IV and Baldur’s Gate 3 characters like this: Diablo keeps it simple with a few character classes. You pick your hero and dive straight into the action. It’s like going to a buffet with only one dish, but that dish is so darn tasty you don’t mind.
Baldur’s Gate 3, however, is like a buffet with a menu longer than the phonebook. You can customize your character to the nth degree, choosing from various classes, races, and alignments. It’s like creating your own fantasy alter ego.
Graphics in Baldur’s Gate 3 vs. Diablo 4
Diablo is like that fancy, high-end restaurant where the presentation is on point. Its dark and brooding atmosphere is as moody as a teenager during a rainy day, and the gruesome demons look like they’ve been on a strict diet of nightmares. It’s all about that immersive, hack-and-slash experience.
On the flip side, Baldur’s Gate is more like a cozy neighborhood pub. It may not have the flashy graphics, but it’s got charm for days. You’ll find yourself falling in love with its isometric view. It’s like a warm hug from your favorite fantasy book.
Don’t get me wrong, though. Baldur’s Gate 3 can get very dark very fast, just like the weather in London. Between the two games, unexpected turns of events are more common on Baldur’s Gate 3 simply because it’s overwhelmingly a story-based game.
It’s entirely possible to avoid most if not all, combat in Baldur’s Gate 3 simply by creating your character with the right skills and choosing the right set of dialogs.
Multiplayer options:
Diablo loves company. Multiplayer is where it shines, and you can team up with friends to face the forces of evil together. It’s like a party that never ends, and the loot is for everyone to share.
Baldur’s Gate is more of a solo act. While there’s multiplayer, it’s more like inviting a friend to watch you play D&D. It’s a different kind of fun, but it’s still a blast.
As the name of this blog implies, I’m a single-player kind of guy. I played Diablo 4, but it’s definitely less fun than Baldur’s Gate 3, which is more about exploring, getting to know different characters, and using strategy to avoid or excel at combat.
Which should you play? Baldur’s Gate 3 vs. Diablo IV?
So, which one should you choose? Well, it depends on your mood and playstyle. If you want a fast-paced, action-packed romp through hell, Diablo 4 is your demon-slaying buddy. But if you prefer a rich, story-driven experience with a side of strategy, Baldur’s Gate 3 is your ticket to the Forgotten Realms.