What a year to be an RPG games fan! Since Baldur’s Gate 3 was released, many thought it created an earthquake in the gaming industry. However, Bethesda’s latest release is doing what it was supposed to – amplifying the magnitude of the shockwaves! We are here to put everything we know on the table regarding the Starfield vs BG3 comparison.
Since Baldur’s Gate 3 reached the top of Steam charts, the gaming community couldn’t wait until the next major release – Starfield. It was again proven that the anticipation was justified, as Starfield took over the #1 position on Steam’s Top Sellers global market chart.
Although at first sight, one is a futuristic interstellar experience in 2023, and the other is a DnD game in 1492 DR, both games have exceptional world-building and a similar fan base. This is why putting Starfield and BG3 side by side is exciting.
Perfection takes time
Bethesda took time with the Starfield development, which was long, similar to the one around Baldur’s Gate 3. Eight years have passed since Bethesda announced that they are starting to develop the first new universe in 25 years.
⏳ = 💰 Time is money, and many gaming companies seem to take it literally.
Starfield started early access approximately five days before the official game release. The catch is that it is available only for gamers who purchased the Premium or Constellation edition of the game.
Here is how the Starfield vs BG3 comparison looks regarding the price tags:
| 💰 | Starfield | Baldur’s Gate 3 |
| Standard Edition | $69.99 | $59.99 |
| Premium / Deluxe Edition | $99.99 | $79.99 |
| Constellation / Collector’s Edition | $299.89 | $259.99 |
Another string is attached, regardless of your opinion about it – microtransactions. While Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn’t come with any microtransactions, as the Larian studio believes in providing the complete experience for the price tag, the situation is not crystal clear with Starfield.
What does this all mean for both games? It’s hard to say, especially considering that Microsoft owns Bethesda, giving them crucial support in game development and price tag setting. It’s still not clear if Starfield includes microtransactions and in what format. Once this is announced, we will know better.
What do fans have to say?
While some are excited about having the perfect time between releases like Starfield and BG3, others complain that time or finances wouldn’t allow them to enjoy both titles.
At the same time, many gamers point out a considerable difference in the system requirements between the two titles since BG3 was built on a much less demanding game engine.
Here is the Starfield vs BG3 minimum system requirements comparison:
| 👾 | Starfield | Baldur’s Gate 3 |
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X Intel Core i7-6800K | AMD FX 8350 Intel Core i5-4690 |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon RX 5700 NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti | AMD RX 480 Nvidia GTX 970 |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 125 GB SSD | 150 GB SSD |
Is BG3 an underdog in comparison to Starfield?
Baldur’s Gate 3 was released one month earlier only because Starfield was launching in September. This seemed like a reasonable decision back in August. Now that we are circling the Starfield launch date, it will become more apparent if it was the right move.
There is also a console release date, which stayed on the 6th of September. Practically, this means it overlaps with Starfield PC and console release. On the 6th of September, BG3 is available on PS5, while Starfield is on Xbox Series S | X. This means they won’t directly compete on consoles, at least for now.
However, some gamers like ‘playing it safe.’ Baldur’s Gate 3 has been around for a month longer than Starfield, and many wait for constructive feedback about Bethesda’s release before buying it.
Others argue that regardless of Starfield’s release condition, they believe in the strong community around it. This means potential game modifications promising rich gameplay and experience.
Although the games are made for gamers, critics always have their own opinions. Let’s see what critics on Metacritic.com have to say about Baldur’s Gate 3 and Starfield.
⭐ Baldur’s Gate 3 is rated 96 out of 100 based on 88 reviews.
⭐ Starfield is rated 88 out of 100 based on 50 reviews.
Both games didn’t receive any negative critic reviews. BG3 received only one mixed review, while Starfield got four, which lowered the overall rating.
Which one to purchase: Starfield vs BG3?
Although the two games have similarities, it is essential to underline that one is a futuristic space exploration, while the other is one of the best DnD games for PC. Since these two contexts are so different, deciding which is better for you shouldn’t be hard.
However, things are never that simple, aren’t they? If you like both plots and want to limit yourself to only one, it’s crucial to consider that Bethesda is known for having issues around the game launch.
This and the fact that Larian (the company behind BG3) is committed to keeping the original price is why many gamers advise buying Baldur’s Gate 3 first.
So, did all the gamers who pre-ordered Starfield make a terrible mistake? No, not at all!
🚀 If you are excited about exploring the galaxy and have no attraction towards DnD, ignore everything we mentioned!
Although the gaming community has a strong opinion on specific topics, it’s good to remind ourselves that both companies are well-known and established. Most Reddit gamers point out how to play your cards smartly now that so many new games are coming out in the same year.
🎮 If you are a PS5 gamer, the choices are pre-determined.
Baldur’s Gate 3 comes on PlayStation 5 with a yet unannounced date for Xbox release, while Starfield comes exclusively on Xbox Series X | S. So, if you want to get going immediately and you own PS5, you can go with BG3, and if you are Xbox fan Starfield is your choice.
Related articles:
- BG3: 10 Surprising Facts That Will Blow Your Mind
- Starfield You’re Too Early: What To Do If This Error Appears
- BG3 Hits 800,000+ Players, Becoming 2023’S Second Biggest Steam Launch
- The Truth Behind The Baldur’s Gate 3 Lawsuit Controversy
Final Verdict of Starfield vs Baldur’s Gate 3
In conclusion, the Starfield vs BG3 comparison comes down to individual preference. The most significant similarity between the two titles is the hype around the games and RPG genre. Differences start with the plot but expand when looking at the bigger picture.
Bethesda (Starfield) is a Microsoft-owned company, while Lariant (BG3) is independent. Both companies have long-lasting traditions, and it’s safe to say gamers trust them to deliver high quality.
Starfield has a slightly higher price tag, while BG3 is committed to delivering a complete experience without microtransactions. Both games are competitive on Steam’s chart, and Starfield has a significant advantage there, even from early access.