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| Oops, I've turned Baldur's Gate 3 into a soap opera RPG because I can't stop flirting with everyone |
There came a night in my second playthrough of Baldur's Gate 3 that turned this epic fantasy RPG into an unexpected soap opera. The catalyst for this dramatic twist? My unrelenting flirting. In my initial run, I had played it safe in the romance department, treating it as an experiment to gauge the approval of my party members. But armed with the knowledge of how to win their affections, I found myself overwhelmed with indecision. Larian's talented writers had successfully made me care deeply about the game's characters, leaving me infatuated with several of them.
The question that plagued me was this: how was I supposed to choose a romance path when I had grown so fond of the entire ensemble? Throwing caution to the wind, I decided that flirting with everyone would be the ideal solution. It seemed like a way to keep all my options open. At best, I thought I could follow my heart's natural course, and at worst, I hoped the game would untangle the romantic web I had inadvertently created and make the choice for me.
By the time I reached Act 2, I had accumulated a multitude of potential love interests, and I was eager to explore the romances of many of the characters. However, after a dance and a kiss with Wyll, things started to get complicated. In three consecutive conversations, Gale urged me to decide between him or Wyll, only for Wyll to express hope that I'd find happiness with Astarion immediately afterward. Then, Astarion inquired about my new lover and humorously declared that he couldn't possibly be part of a love triangle with Gale. This came after an earlier episode in Act 1 where I repeatedly reloaded saves to pursue romantic connections with almost everyone.
When Love Becomes a Game
In Baldur's Gate 3, where numerous choices can be made, the decision of whom to romance stands out as one of the most difficult and crucial. As someone who has always been motivated by the prospect of romance in games, the world teeming with captivating characters gave me the perfect excuse to replay the game multiple times to explore various romantic avenues.
However, sometimes indecision strikes, or the desire to test the waters becomes irresistible. During my initial playthrough, I could hardly wait to start over and plan subsequent playthroughs from the get-go. But with so many possibilities and paths to explore, I grew increasingly impatient to experience all potential romances, hence the ensuing chaos.
In Act 1, after dealing with the goblin camp, an opportunity arises to grow closer to someone and celebrate your victory with the Tieflings (if you chose to help them). Given that I had learned how to gain the approval of each party member, I had no shortage of options, and everyone held me in high regard at this point. The night before, I'd shared a tender moment with Karlach, and, after missing her presence entirely in my first playthrough, I immediately gravitated towards her. Unfortunately, for understandable reasons related to her fiery nature, she suggested that I enjoy the company of someone else. And so, I did.
From persuading my way into a kiss with Wyll and engaging in suggestive banter with Halsin to agreeing to a night with Lae'zel and Astarion, I found myself exploring romantic possibilities with many companions. To top it off, I promised to share some wine with Shadowheart after flirting with Gale. When it was time to retire to my bedroll, I was torn. If only I could have left this to a dice roll. While it's not possible to be with everyone in a single night, curiosity got the best of me, and I found myself reloading the same save file to experience each and every romantic moment with my companions. Eventually, I had to make a choice for the night, which wasn't easy, but thankfully, it didn't lock me out of romancing someone else later if I changed my mind.
The Complexity of Romance
Each interaction, whether it was Lae'zel declaring I drove her to madness, Gale getting flirty before attributing it to his unstable orb, or Wyll sweetly stating that I'd made the evening unforgettable, provided further insight into the characters early in the game. I even spent time making a decision and observing how the others reacted after propositioning me. For instance, I appreciated Lae'zel lamenting how busy my bunk already was and how we were both missing out because of it.
This approach to romance isn't new to me, as I've adopted a similar strategy in BioWare's lineup of RPGs. Whether it was flirting with both Liara and Kaidan in Mass Effect 1 or initiating something with Garrus and Thane before ultimately committing to the calibrating sharpshooter, my approach in Baldur's Gate 3 is consistent with my past experiences. I vividly remember using romance dialogue options freely at the start of Dragon Age: Inquisition because every character intrigued me.
While my indecision may lead to messy scenarios for characters seeking commitment, it also highlights the exceptional writing in Baldur's Gate 3. Every character boasts their unique flaws, nuances, motivations, and backstories, making them feel incredibly real. It's hard not to get attached and care deeply, whether romantically or not.
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