It's amazing how easy it is to miss companions in Baldur's Gate 3

After nearly 30 hours in Baldur's Gate 3, I have finally encountered two companions that other players have been talking about since the start.

In search of ways to level up before entering the Underdark, I decided to explore further north, in the area where Halsin mentioned there was a mountain pass leading to the Moonrise Towers. In doing so, I discovered a whole lot of other things, including Karlach and Wyll. If I had followed my original plan of simply rushing into the Underdark, I would have completely missed them.

This is already the third time this scenario has played out in my relatively short time with Baldur's Gate 3. In the beginning, I encountered Shadowheart and promptly stumbled upon a battle outside the Druid Grove. This led me to enter the grove, and as the door closed behind me, I assumed it wouldn't be easy to get out again. Eventually, I realized that I needed another character in my party to handle the fights the game would throw at me. I returned to the gate, jumped down, and suffered some fall damage in the process.

Only then did I find out, as I unintentionally passed by the gate, that it would have opened if I had approached. With this knowledge, I set off and immediately encountered Lae'zel. After that, I stumbled upon Astarion, and we set out to explore the area and came across the Goblin camp. I spent another 10 hours there and completed this section of the main quest. It was only then that I realized I hadn't met Gale yet, whom I had heard many people talking about online, so I went in search of him before exploring the Underdark.

I found him, and now he is a valued member of the group, despite his constant need to devour valuable magical items. But if I hadn't heard what people online were saying about Baldur's Gate 3, I wouldn't have even known that Gale existed. I'm glad I found him because his Magic Missile spell, combined with my player character's Magic Missile spell, has been invaluable in battles. However, if I hadn't passed by that exact spot on the map where his hand reached out from a portal, I wouldn't have had that resource at all.

My experience with Karlach was similar. I didn't even know that I could meet her in the first act and was ready to proceed to the second act without having her in the group. But then, when I arrived in the area where she was waiting, covered in blood and battered, I instinctively headed towards her. It was due to my constant need to explore the path that I believe the game doesn't want me to take first before exploring the path that I think the game wants me to take.

Obviously, I haven't completed Baldur's Gate 3 yet, so I have no idea if the game finds ways to reconnect you with those companions if you missed them during your initial time frame. If not, would you be able to tackle the endgame without anyone in your party? Considering that Baldur's Gate 3 is cut from the same flexible fabric as the current Zelda games, which allow you to challenge Ganon with a broom while wearing underwear if you wish, I suspect that this would be possible.

That may be received negatively by other players, but for me, it's consistently positive. Baldur's Gate 3 is a game about choices, and I appreciate that you only have the possibilities in front of you. The game won't push you into the experience it has intended for you. Missing important moments is just as essential to the game as experiencing those moments. What your character doesn't do and whom they don't meet shapes who they are just as much as any active decision they make.