Baldur’s Gate 4 Doesn’t Need Larian Studios, There’s A Better Choice

23.04.2024 - 08:42 / screenrant.com

Since Larian has confirmed that it is done with the license, some fans have been concerned about the future of the series, but there is an even better choice to work on an expansion to or a potential that could easily outshine Larian. Obsidian has defined itself as the premiere pinch hitter for RPG development. The company’s follow-ups to BioWare’s and surpassed the originals, just as Obsidian did with , a superior game to Bethesda’s by most metrics.

Obsidian is no stranger to based video games. The original two games were based on 2e, and the games were based on 3e and 3.5. was adapted from a 3e inspired tabletop RPG system.

The reputation Obsidian has earned for taking an established IP and game style and producing a follow-up with better storytelling is well-earned. Obsidian’s proposed spinoff game was rejected by Bethesda, which is a loss for fans of the series, as it could have outdone the storytelling of the mainline games, just as did for. Though Larian did an admirable job with the story and character work in, a sprawling world like Forgotten Realms has room for myriad more tales, and Obsidian has previously worked with the setting in several prior games.

The sincere and complex story of made real-world history fascinating, proving again that Obsidian can deliver a quality game without building off another developer’s work, just as the company did with its original series. Still, the distinct skillset of refining an established game style with a focus on compelling plot and storytelling is something that sets Obsidian apart in the industry. If past precedents remain consistent, Obsidian is not only the best choice for follow-ups to, but its sequel could also very likely surpass the quality of Larian’s fantasy opus.

Creating a current-gen engine that adequately adapts the rules of the 5e system was a major achievement for Larian, and it succeeded where the earlier attempt,, fell short. Now that there is a framework to enable both tactical turn-based battles and rich exploration of the iconic world, it would be unwise to leave as a «one and done» project. As reported by IGN, Hasbro is already looking for Larian’s replacement, though the company has not revealed any details about its search for the next developer following Larian’s departure.

Obsidian used an updated version of BioWare's Aurora Engine to create; it used the Odyssey Engine for, and built on the engine of proving the developer's skill in working with established gaming engines to craft new stories and experiences.

There are some potential hurdles to selecting Obsidian to take up the baton from Larian on new projects. Microsoft purchased Obsidian Entertainment in 2018, adding the acclaimed developer to its list of first-party