Larian Studios’ single-player/multiplayer mega-RPG Baldur’s Gate 3 continues to heap on the goodies for players with its Patch 5 release, expected later today; it will introduce some more narrative for those about to complete the game and a couple of new modes for those who are ready to re-run the whole experience all over again.
One of the major highlights of Patch 5 is a new epilogue that will take place just before the final fight and ahead of the end credits. Players who are at this point in the story will find themselves loaded in to camp, where they’ll “meet new friends and old, taking all the time they need to say their final goodbyes to the party,” which takes into account all of the events that have occurred in the run to that point in what Larian promises will be “some of the most complex writing in the game so far.”
Those who have already seen the end credits can expect the new Honor Mode and Custom Mode features to take advantage of. Honor Mode will effectively make the game harder by introducing legendary actions for bosses to use, a function that ends “save scumming,” and an optional permadeath-like feature that will disengage Honor Mode if players elect to continue their game after death. Those who successfully clear an Honor Mode run will be rewarded with a golden skin for the in-game D20.
Meanwhile, Custom Mode will do what it says on the tin, letting players adjust BG3 to their preferences. Options in this mode include the ability to hide skill check DCs and enemy HP pools, short rests that fully heal the party, and the end of death saving throws.
The patch will also boast UI improvements, several fixes, and performance adjustments that are geared to improving the Xbox version but ended up helping all versions of the game. It’s yet another chunky and excellent update for what’s largely considered an already excellent RPG.
Expect the update to launch later today!
