How to play Baldur’s Gate 3: a complete guide
Start your epic journey in Baldur's Gate 3 by mastering its intricate combat and story choices—discover the secrets that await in every turn.


That depends on how you play. Some finish the main story faster than expected, while others find themselves lost in side quests, companion arcs, and countless choices that stretch the journey far longer. The real question isn’t just how long it takes to beat Baldur’s Gate 3, but how much of its world you’re willing to explore.
If you’re wondering about the main story completion time in Baldur’s Gate 3, most players can expect it to take around 25 to 35 hours.
This main story completion time can vary depending on your playstyle, especially if you take time to explore or focus on key quests.
Thanks to its pacing, the main story completion time supports a smooth balance between exploration and narrative, letting you enjoy character development without feeling rushed.
Beyond the main story, Baldur’s Gate 3 features many side quests that can significantly extend your total playtime.
These Baldur’s Gate 3 side quests encourage exploration, add variety to your goals, and naturally increase the hours you’ll spend in the game.
With smart planning, you can streamline progress without missing the fun, but fully embracing Baldur’s Gate 3 side quests delivers a longer, richer, and more immersive experience.
Baldur’s Gate 3 features a vast world packed with secrets, making exploration a key part of the experience. Through exploration, players discover environmental storytelling, hidden quests, and rich lore that deepen immersion.
Meaningful character interactions also shape the narrative, rewarding thorough exploration with new paths, dialogue, and outcomes. This emphasis on exploration extends gameplay far beyond the main story, significantly increasing total completion time and enhancing overall enjoyment.
Choosing a difficulty setting in Baldur’s Gate 3 can significantly change how long it takes to finish the game. The difficulty setting affects combat intensity, resource management, and overall pacing, which can make some playthroughs faster or slower.
On higher difficulties, Baldur’s Gate 3 requires more strategic planning, careful progression, and thoughtful decision-making, often extending total playtime.
Players who adjust the difficulty setting can tailor their experience, whether they want a smoother story-focused run or a challenging, tactical journey through Baldur’s Gate 3.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, multiplayer often takes longer because cooperative strategies require discussion, voting on dialogue, and coordinating combat, which adds time but also enhances teamwork and immersion.
In contrast, Baldur’s Gate 3 singleplayer typically moves faster since one person makes quick decisions, skips fewer interruptions, and streamlines exploration.
To improve progression in Baldur’s Gate 3, build a balanced party that covers damage, control, and support, so you can adapt to different fights without wasting resources.
You’ll also speed up progression in Baldur’s Gate 3 by prioritizing main quests, skipping low-value detours, and keeping your inventory clean for quick access to potions, scrolls, and key gear.
Focus on turn economy, use high-ground advantages, and pre-buff before tough encounters to minimize risk while maintaining a rewarding challenge.
How Long Does It Take to Beat Baldur’s Gate 3? For most players, finishing the main story takes around 25 to 35 hours, depending on your choices and playstyle. If you dive into side quests, explore every area, and experiment with different builds, your total time can easily double, making Baldur’s Gate 3 a much longer and richer experience. Factors like difficulty level, game mode, and co-op coordination can also affect your pace. Ultimately, how long does it take to beat Baldur’s Gate 3 comes down to how you want to play.
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