Many video games these days come in “editions,” and quite frankly, it’s hard to keep track of which version includes what content. Usually, if you buy the base edition, you get the game and that’s it, but from there things get weird.
Some publishers and developers sell slightly more expensive versions of a game to push out cosmetic DLC, and others package games with season passes for even more money. Lately, some studios have even sold exorbitantly expensive editions of games that come with tons of ludicrous physical goodies, but they back so much into these versions that they have no more room for the actual games. Thankfully, Baldur’s Gate 3’s editions are far more straightforward. They’re expensive, but they aren’t confusing.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Every Edition Difference Explained
Currently, Baldur’s Gate 3 comes in three editions: Base, Digital Deluxe, and Collector’s. The base edition, which costs $70, is just that: the base game. However, the vanilla experience already provides more bang for your buck than most RPGs. Larian Studios boss Swen Vincke told IGN that one playthrough of the campaign should take anywhere between 75 to 100 hours, and that’s only if you skip side missions. Completionists could expect upwards of 200 hours of content, and that isn’t even counting any DLC, free or otherwise, Larian plans on adding down the line. If the Early Access version is anything to go by, the base version of Baldur’s Gate 3 is a must-buy on its own, especially for RPG and Dungeon & Dragons fans.
The next level up, Digital Deluxe, will cost $80, but only if you’ve waited to buy the game. Anyone who played the Early Access version of Baldur’s Gate 3 (or at least just pre-ordered it) will receive the Digital Deluxe content free of charge. But what constitutes “Digital Deluxe content,” you ask? As is the case with many games, the Digital Deluxe Edition will include a digital soundtrack, artbook, and character sheets. This version of the game will also include some bonus in-game potions, camp supplies, and an exclusive dice skin (one for the PC version and one for the PlayStation 5 port).
However, arguably the most attractive Digital Deluxe feature is early access to the first act of Baldur’s Gate 3, as well as a series of paintings, Bard songs, and artifacts inspired by Larian Studios’ previous game, Divinity: Original Sin 2. These aren’t the kinds of bonuses that you absolutely need for your playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3, but if you absolutely want them (and/or you are a big fan of Divinity: Original Sin 2), pre-order Baldur’s Gate 3 to save $10.
The final edition of Baldur’s Gate 3, the Collector’s Edition, retails for a whopping $270. The Collector’s Edition includes everything in the previous two versions and a Collector’s Edition dice skin you can’t get anywhere else, but that’s just the digital content. This edition of the game justifies its price with more physical goodies than a Mimic could stomach.
Said goodies include 32 stickers of characters from the game, a 160-page artbook, a game certificate, a cloth map, character sheets for Baldur’s Gate 3’s origin characters, an oversized metal D20, an Illithid tadpole keyring (don’t worry, this one won’t try to eat your brains), a Magic the Gathering booster pack, and a 25 cm-tall statue depicting a Mind Flayer fighting a Drow. Given the Collector’s Edition’s price, I would only recommend this version for die-hard fans, especially those who want to role-play as a Baldur’s Gate 3 origin character during a real Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
Besides, the Collector’s Edition of Baldur’s Gate 3 is currently sold out. You can request the Larian Studios website to notify you if the version you want receives some stock, but if that doesn’t happen, you missed your chance to purchase the Baldur’s Gate 3 Collector’s Edition for PC and PlayStation 5. But maybe you will have better luck if you’re willing to wait for the Xbox Series X/S version, as Larian might produce some new copies for that port.