Baldur's Gate 3 has generated a lot of hype in its Early Access period, but it got even more widespread attention when, in a livestream, the devs demonstrated that you can do the nasty with a bear. Well, kinda. It's a Druid taking the form of a bear, but still, it's easy to see why it got so much attention. Now, it seems like many of us are looking forward to the romances more than any other part of the game, something Larian Studios has clearly noticed too.
Speaking in a Steam post, the developer has gone into more detail on how its romance system will work, setting out exactly who we can and can't shack up with. While it opens up a fair amount of options, it does come with one tragic confirmation: we can't bang our real-life buddies. That still leaves you with some very tempting relationship candidates, but it might get in the way of some plans couples had to play through the game together.
The lengthy Steam post goes over many of the features we'll be able to explore at launch, which of course, includes romances. Here, Larian shed some light on how we can expect them to go down.
"Throughout your journey, you'll forge genuine connections with those you venture with," reads the post. "These can flourish into relationships that add gravity to every decision you make in the game, and you’re free to pursue them through deliberation, choice, and consequences. However, you’re also able to back out of them at any moment, change your mind, or fall in love with someone else."
Answering fan queries, Larian then sets out the limitations of these romantic jaunts.
"A played Origin can romance an NPC Origin
An NPC Origin cannot romance an NPC Origin
Played Origins cannot romance other player Origins"
If that isn't clear enough, then the post goes on to confirm that no, we won't be banging our homies in Baldur's Gate. When we discussed this story at work, our cross-department editor James Troughton was quick to remind me that Baldur's Gate players will still be able to screw in real life, so I hope that's some consolation for you all. In fact, Larian seems to have the same idea.
"If you and your co-op partner both kiss your monitors at the same time, the static shock you’ll experience produces a heart-racing effect similar to the feeling of love," reads the post. "If you begin to feel pain or numbness in your limbs, please go to a hospital immediately."
Anyone who's been following the game since 2020 will remember headlines about being able to get jiggy with your pals. However, this was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the fact that a co-op partner could take control of NPC party members in multiplayer. If they start playing as the NPC you're romancing, they wouldn't be able to select dialogue options or anything, but they'll be there for the ride, so it's kinda the same thing.