Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on both PC (via Steam) and PlayStation 5, but which is the best version of the game? There is also an Xbox Series X/S port arriving before the end of 2023, with the Series S port notably stripping out the split-screen co-op mode, but there’s no reason to think the Series X version won’t match Baldur’s Gate 3 on PC or PS5.
PC players had access to Baldur’s Gate 3 for several years, as the game was available in Steam Early Access since 2020. The game received regular content updates over the next few years until it was finally ready to launch in 2023. PC players got it a month earlier than the console fans, most likely to avoid conflicting with Starfield, but it’s now out on both platforms.
Related: Baldur’s Gate 2’s Slayer Form Makes Surprise Return In Baldur’s Gate 3
The PS5 Version Of Baldur’s Gate 3 Looks & Runs Great With Minimal Tinkering
The PS5 version of Baldur’s Gate 3 is the best choice if you just want a high-quality port of the game straight out of the box. The PC version of Baldur’s Gate 3 is notoriously finicky when it comes to getting the settings right. Unless you have an excellent rig, you will be dropping those settings, especially during the later sections of the game.
Baldur’s Gate on PS5 looks fantastic, runs like a dream, and you can dive straight in without messing around. A PS5 is also much more affordable than a high-tier gaming PC, so that’s another thing to consider if you want to play the game. You could go for the Steam Deck as an inexpensive alternative, but the game runs terribly during Act III, and none of the patches have fully addressed the issue.
Baldur’s Gate 3 On PC Has More Control Options & Mod Support
Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5 might not require much additional work, but there are some caveats to choosing that port of the game. As of the time of writing, Baldur’s Gate 3 on PS5 lacks keyboard & mouse support, which means you’re forced to use a controller. The PC version lets you use both options, and many people will prefer a keyboard for the inventory management and targeting system alone.
The other significant leg-up the PC port of Baldur’s Gate 3 has over the PS5 version is mod support. There are already tons of high-quality mods for Baldur’s Gate 3, ranging from performance upgrades to adding new classes and races. Considering how popular the modding scene was for the older Baldur’s Gate games, it’s likely that Baldur’s Gate 3 will receive free fan-made content for years to come.
Related: Baldur’s Gate 3: What’s The Level Cap?
In short, the PS5 version of Baldur’s Gate 3 offers excellent visual quality out of the box, while the PC version allows you to tailor your experience to your liking. It’s likely that you will be limited by your available options, but these factors are worth considering when deciding what system you will invest in further down the line if playing Baldur’s Gate 3 is important to you.
