Game · in order
Baldur’s Gate Games in Order
The three core Baldur’s Gate RPGs in order. BG1 (1998) and BG2 (2000) are one continuous BioWare story; Baldur’s Gate III (2023) is set ~120 years later and is fully standalone.
Baldur’s Gate Games in Order — complete list
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Why this order?
Baldur’s Gate is one of the most influential names in computer role-playing, and "what order do I play it in" has a refreshingly simple answer. There are three core games, and the only real decision is whether you want to play the two classics before jumping to the modern blockbuster. Both the release order and the in-world chronological order land in the same sequence, so you can follow this list top to bottom without worrying about flashbacks or prequels.
Release order is the default here and the order most fans recommend. Baldur’s Gate (1998) and Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000) form one continuous story built on BioWare’s Infinity Engine and the Dungeons & Dragons rules set in the Forgotten Realms. Your character — the "Bhaalspawn" — carries directly from the first game into the second, so playing them back to back is the intended experience. The Enhanced Editions remaster both for modern systems and are by far the easiest way to play them today.
The crucial gotcha: Baldur’s Gate III (Larian, 2023) is NOT a direct sequel. It is set roughly 120 years after the classics, uses the modern fifth-edition D&D ruleset, and tells an entirely new story with new heroes. You do not need BG1 or BG2 first — most newcomers start with BG3 and lose nothing. The chronological toggle simply confirms that the release order and the timeline order are identical.
If you enjoy this style of party-based RPG, the same lineage runs through BioWare’s Neverwinter Nights and Dragon Age, plus Larian’s own Divinity: Original Sin games, which are the closest spiritual predecessors to BG3.
Timeline 1998–2023
Every entry plotted by release year — see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Frequently asked questions
How many Baldur’s Gate games are there?
There are three core games: Baldur’s Gate (1998), Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn (2000) and Baldur’s Gate III (2023). The first two also received expansions and Enhanced Edition remasters.
What order should I watch Baldur’s Gate in?
Play in release order: Baldur’s Gate, then Baldur’s Gate II, then Baldur’s Gate III. The timeline matches release, so the same order works chronologically.
Do I need to play Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 before Baldur’s Gate 3?
No. Baldur’s Gate III is set about 120 years later and is fully standalone with a new story and cast. Most newcomers start with BG3 and lose nothing.
Are Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 connected?
Yes. They tell one continuous story — your custom 'Bhaalspawn' character carries directly from Baldur’s Gate into Shadows of Amn, so they’re best played back to back.
What’s the best way to play the classic games today?
Use the Enhanced Editions of Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II. They remaster the originals for modern systems and run smoothly on current PCs and consoles.
Is Baldur’s Gate connected to Dungeons & Dragons?
Yes. All three games are set in D&D’s Forgotten Realms. The classics use earlier AD&D rules, while Baldur’s Gate III uses the modern fifth-edition ruleset.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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