As Baldur's Gate 3 hits its first anniversary, here's why we've poured a cumulative 3,550 hours into Larian's world-beating RPG

Baldur's Gate 3 anniversary - the Blood of Lathander.

There's no place like home. That's what Baldur's Gate 3 has come to feel like for many of us here at GamesRadar+ since it launched out of Early Access on this day in 2023, and oh what a year it's been. We've laughed at Gale's boot-munching proclivities, cried with Shadowheart as she confronts her destiny, held Karlach in our arms to the bittersweet end. We've put ourselves through bizarre challenges just to see what happens, fallen in love with interviewing animals by way of spells or potions, and one or two of us might have shared some, uh, tender moments with a certain tentacled guardian.

And yet, I think I speak for all of us when I say the journey is far from over. The promise of Baldur's Gate 3 speaks to unending possibilities, and despite the plethora of huge game releases in 2024, there's something special about BG3 that still has us under its thrall. Here's what Larian's latest treasure means to the GR+ team, and why it'll likely never be too far from our hearts and minds.

Your party is gathered...

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

Creature comforts

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

Got a lot on my mind (and, well, in it)

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

First in my heart

(Image credit: Larian Studios / YouTube via Sparrows)

No stone unturned

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

Chaotic evil

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

Unexpected magic

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

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