Secretly, Baldur's Gate 3 is a magnificent dress-up game

In every game that allows character customization, I find myself devoting the majority of my time to that aspect. While initially, I couldn't quite connect with Cyberpunk 2077 during my first 25-hour playthrough, I found much more enjoyment in it when I embarked on a more extensive 100-hour gaming session, focusing on clothing and treating it as a sort of fashion simulator. Gifting, crafting, and purchasing clothing became my favorite part of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Despite the multitude of outstanding games that lie ahead, I have already set aside time for Fashion Dreamer. When given the opportunity to indulge in my character's wardrobe, I lose myself for hours, just as I do in Baldur's Gate 3.

So far, the selection of clothing has not been particularly remarkable. After recruiting six party members and clearing out the Goblin Camp - where I looted so much that I became overburdened in the final hideout - I had a few decent armors to switch to, providing my lightly armored companions and myself with improved armor class, but not much beyond that. However, that doesn't mean I couldn't have a little bit of fun.

One pivotal choice you encounter at the Goblin Camp revolves around Minthara. Your task at the camp is to kill her and the other two camp leaders to save the Grove and recruit Halsin. However, there is the possibility of recruiting Minthara instead - either by sending her to the refugees you are supposed to protect and having them kill her or by deceiving her, pretending to help her but ultimately sending her to the wrong location. As a benevolent Lolth-worshipping Drow, I did not want her among my ranks. I killed her and claimed her attire as my own. Now, this clothing belongs to me.

The prickly leather of their snug uniforms looks splendid on my own Drow, becoming my standard attire when I relax in the camp. As a result, I was able to pass on my old clothing to Lae'zel, whose peculiar leather straps now adorn Astarion. In turn, his gathered, open shirt looks enchanting on Karlach, while Gale serves in Karlach's own torn, muscular vest. Not all of them will remain as such - Karlach's appearance is perfect and suits her broad shoulders - but I hope to find more casual clothing during my adventures to further dress myself and my companions.

Within my chest lies a splendid assortment of armor. Although some of them repeat, as is natural when most of them were pilfered from slain goblins, there is already a delightful variety. Karlach's original armor is not as impressive as it appears, hence she now wears a magical green shirt that resembles the type of soft, fine silk Astarion would wear, but is actually much sturdier than her rough and simple initial attire. On the other hand, Astarion now dons thicker metal armor, aesthetically better suited for Lae'zel but most fitting for his class and style of protection.

So far, I have had to make do mostly with the garments I either had at the beginning or could pilfer from others, but I hope that as the game progresses, I will come across a true tailor and be able to infuse some personality into the game and have fun with it. In Dungeons & Dragons, I usually just use the clothing my character is depicted wearing in the image I find on Pinterest and then, during character creation, purchase the most effective and affordable armor. However, in my own adventures, I try to give merchants a sense of fashion to contribute to world-building, alongside selling potions and weapons. I haven't even reached Baldur's Gate 3 itself yet, so hopefully, such a bustling city will have that certain something I need.