Baldur's Gate 3 Still Can't Get One Character Right, Even After Three Updates

An upcoming update to Xbox consoles could finally make it possible to address some key graphical and performance shortcomings in major titles like , and it won't even require a hardware upgrade to do it. The standard for mid-generation updated models established with the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X has seemed like the obvious solution to keep hardware capable of running increasingly challenging games, but it can force owners of the original consoles to play compromised versions. The right software updates, however, have the chance to improve the play experience for everyone already invested in the ecosystem.

is an adventure of substantial size, but whether it's possible to keep playing after the credits roll is one question that's likely to come to mind over the course of the game. As an open-world experience, has plenty of side content that could be passed over while racing toward the story's climax. The game's developer Team Ninja included a variety of optional missions in prior games like , so it's no surprise that this element carries over to the more expansive historical setting of Edo in Japan.

is an ever-changing, ever-growing game, and this ability to reinvent itself is part of why it's able to celebrate a 50th anniversary this year with an audience that's bigger than ever. It's also taking the opportunity to shake things up once more with a cavalcade of new books, including several core rulebooks that freshen up the ideas governing 's fifth edition for the past decade. Publisher Wizards of the Coast dropped the One D&D branding originally intended for the new products about a year ago, but it doesn't seem like it's reneged on any of its ambition.

Bringing the locations of the original to life is one of the most exciting things about , but one region is a clear example of how the game can miss the mark. From the slums of Midgar to the military fortress of Junon, packed a lot of flavor into a globe-trotting adventure. transforms these originally pre-rendered destinations into detailed 3D environments, expanding many of them in size while packing them full of more side content than ever.

The newest big crossover for pairs the collectible card game with the series, but there's a major reason why the collaboration might not be everything that it could be. Although there was a time when the fantasy CCG teaming up with a pulp history video game series might have seemed like a pipe dream, the brand has made IP crossovers a regular thing. From to an crossover, there's been something for just about everyone, but even fans might not love the newest venture.

Like in any open-world game, travel is one of the most important aspects of , and there's one key element that the game does better than just about any competitor. The world of Gaia presented in is a huge one, translating what was originally an overworld map into a series of large open-world zones filled with activities and decorated in detailed terrain. Not every corner of the map is as exciting as the more bespoke content in the game, but it does manage to smooth over some potential annoyances in a smart way.

Bards are often viewed as a generally humorous class option for , but just like in tabletop, dismissing them as silly ignores the heavier implications of what bards can do. doesn't shy away from darker themes and violent affairs in general, offering plenty of possibilities to take an amoral path and bloodying the party at just about every turn. It's easy to think of the more devious Origin characters as the ones most likely to embrace underhanded behavior, but a playable bard is capable of outdoing them all in some regards.

is the freshly announced upcoming entry in the popular racing management series, and the newest entry is finally adding a much-requested feature that could transform the game experience. Althoughthe franchise has only been around for a few years, it hasn't had much trouble building a pedigree as the official management game for the Formula series of racing championships. The racing series also features some management aspects in a My Team career mode, but it's a significantly less robust approach than what offers.

Getting the hang of combat in can be a challenge, but there's one optional setting that can make it easier to master without decreasing the actual threat that enemies pose. Building on the system established in, features a fusion of dynamic action combat with the menu-based ability, spell, and item options that return from the original It can be a lot to wrangle, and it's sometimes possible to get tripped up by the hectic nature of battle even when keeping a good handle on the system itself.

Efficient travel can often be dependent on acquiring the best mounts in the game, but there's one way to move quickly that dodges these prerequisites. Although doesn't have a world as huge as many other survival crafting games, it's still substantial and can take a fair amount of time to cross distances. Fast travel is always an option, but it's bound to specific locations that have to be activated first, and it's not always as fun as actually making it from Point A to Point B.

The shifting tides of the Galactic War can bring constant changes to the experience, but one recent adjustment to the game completely overhauls the way that armor should be approached in every mission. Although the best offense is a good defense is typically a good mantra when it comes to games, it hasn't always been true of. With the newest update, however, the list of effective armor choices has grown significantly, making for more diverse and interesting strategic options to deploy against the Terminids and Automatons.

The upcoming addition of mechs is a source of significant excitement in , but getting them could require some extra effort in the Galactic War. As a feature first introduced in the original, exosuits provide a unique way to power up at the cost of mobility. For soldiers used to deploying on missions with light armor and outrunning enemies whenever possible, their inclusion in could represent a big shift in strategy.