Searching For Medievalism in Baldur's Gate 3

A (Historical) Game Guide

Knights and Princesses, Myths and curses, heroes and villains, these are the elements of any great Arthurian myth or medieval tale. As a fan of such tales, I am always in search of new and fascinating ways to engage with these types of stories. One of my favorite examples of this comes in the form of the 2023 Game of The Year Award recipient Baldur’s Gate 3, a video game that flourishes in and shares many of these same thematic and narrative elements, weaving in what came before with new conventions and technology for a modern audience. Never before has medievalism been so mainstream and accessible to young audiences than with the release of Baldur’s Gate 3. Baldur’s Gate, produced and developed by Larian studios, is a series of role-playing video games set in the Forgotten Realms Dungeons & Dragons campaign, meaning it takes place in the world of D&D officially. I am not the first to tell you that the world of Dungeons and Dragons takes considerable inspiration from the medieval landscape and its foundations, both aesthetically and intrinsically. That being said, since medievalism is core to Dungeons and Dragons, it is also core to the soul of Baldur’s Gate since they are in the same world and setting. One of my favorite in-game examples of Arthurian presence is in the form of the sword in the stone that the player finds early in the game. This Arthurian homage encapsulates the idea of medieval heroism and destiny, connecting the player to a legacy of storytelling enriched with chivalric ideals.

Wallace Collection, (2023).

Similarly, the game’s aesthetic choices, such as period-inspired armor and clothing, reiterate historical medieval designs and environments.
These designs not only work as visual markers for the era, but also reinforce certain themes of identity, status, and power, which were an important (and also cool) aspect of societal structures of the Middle Ages. One could also interestingly argue that since the games core gameplay design is focused on personal choice, Baldur’s Gate 3 thus reflects the exact principles of Arthurian knightly quests or adventure stories, where characters grapple with the pursuit of honor, self-discovery, chivalry, heroism, and much more. This is why the dialogue fueled nature of the game feels perfect for the world of Arthurian myth, and manages to serve it so easily. Another aspect of medievalism that can easily found within Baldur's Gate is the Bard or the Troubadour. The bard is a playable class in the game, and can play the role of charmer and inspirer. Below is a video of these player bards in action, performing every medieval lyric available in the game. Another interesting aspect of
medievalism I engaged with and learned from while personally playing through BG3 was through the presence of the Paladins as a playable class and their oath system, which echoed the code of chivalry and honor adhered to by the knights and heroes of Arthurian legend. In the game, if a player violates this sworn path, they can become an oathbreaker paladin, which forces them to atone for their gameplay choices in order to further on in the game; touching on themes of moral failings and redemption, much like the stories of the fallen knights like Lancelot. 

Mid-15th century chainmail shirt, Wallace collection (Inv. A3) 

Finally, to close this blog on, I want to say that video games are one of the greatest ways to experience history and education, as they are genuinely in the truest sense the most immersive art form. This interactivity means players don’t just observe these historical and mythical stories—they shape them. With Larian Studios' advanced graphics, AI-driven narratives, and user-friendly interfaces, they have made games involving history more accessible than ever. The obvious payoff being players who might not usually pick up a history book or watch a medieval drama can now explore the period interactively, bridging the gaps in historical knowledge. Baldur's Gate 3 as a game and a narrative vehicle makes the Middle Ages more accessible, now more than ever before, reaffirming the belief that the time period and genre still have relevance in the public eye and will always remain relevant.

Works Cited:

Baldur's Gate 3. Version 7.30 for Playstation 5, Larian Studios, 2023.

The Wallace Collection (London, UK). Helena Bonett, Ysanne Holt, Jennifer Mundy, (eds.), The Camden Town Group in Context, Tate Research Publication, May 2012.