RPGs: The Good, the Bad, and the Mistakes We Make

The Comeback of Real Choices in RPGs

Ah, the world of RPGs! It’s a beautiful place where you can slay dragons, cast spells, and craft the perfect hero with an intricately thought-out character build, or at least that’s what we thought! Back in the day, when I tried playing the original Baldur’s Gate, I was just a confused kid who got obliterated regularly—thanks to my absolute zero understanding of D&D. Like, who even knew that failing a roll could mean instant doom?

Fast forward a few decades, and RPGs have almost become like pop quizzes at school—everyone passes, and nobody learns anything! Brandon Adler, the big cheese behind The Outer Worlds 2, is kind of relieved that there are still games out there that slap you with consequences… like the fabulous Baldur’s Gate 3! He’s pretty stoked to see players having to actually think about their character builds instead of just clicking whatever sounds cool.

Choices Matter, Folks!

According to Adler, stuff has gotten way too comfy for players, who are now being spoon-fed assistance so they never make a “bad” choice. Where’s the fun in that? In an RPG, your decisions should pack a punch—some may lead to epic successes, while others make you wish you never stepped into that dungeon! Watching streamers fumble through bad character builds is, believe it or not, entertaining and completely valid; as long as they have fun, what’s the harm in throwing yourself into a chaotic mix?

And let’s talk about those annoying objective markers that make us forget about the rich storytelling! We’ve all been guilty of smashing that skip button when NPCs start yakking on about their life stories rather than listening to the glorious lore. Adler puts it plainly: engage or be left behind! The resurgence of quality RPGs means people are starting to rediscover the art of choosing well, which in turn makes the whole experience a delightful rollercoaster of emotions.

As RPG literacy continues to rise, it’s about time we had something reminiscent of our tabletop beginnings. And what’s more exciting? Baldur’s Gate 3 is picking a fine moment to shine amidst the D&D revival, thanks to the popularity of shows like Critical Role that are making our favorite nerdy pastimes cooler than ever. Let’s just hope no one gets knuckles deep in THAC0 hell!