My Journey Through Baldur's Gate 3's Heartbreaking Endings

You know, diving into Baldur's Gate 3 in 2025 still blows my mind with how many ways it can end. It's not all heroic saves and happy ever afters—some endings leave you staring at the screen, wondering what the heck just happened. I mean, Larian Studios really went all out, making sure our choices matter, even when they lead to tragedy. And trust me, I've seen my fair share of those 'what if' scenarios that are equal parts fascinating and gut-wrenching. Spoilers ahead, obviously, so if you're still exploring, maybe come back later? 😅

Let's start with Act 2, because who doesn't love a shortcut? I decided to have Gale blow himself up in the Mind Flayer Colony under Moonrise Towers. Man, it was abrupt! One minute, we're fighting, and the next—boom! The Elder Brain is gone, but so is Gale, and Act 3 just vanishes. Poof! It's bittersweet because you skip all that chaos in the city, but those escaped Mind Flayers? Yeah, they're still out there causing trouble. Funny thing is, it doesn't count for Honour Mode—learned that the hard way when I tried it again recently. Still, as a one-time thing, it's wild to experience. Here's how it looked:

Now, playing as the Dark Urge? That's a rollercoaster I can't recommend enough. I embraced those urges, failed to resist Orin, and ended up with a choice: kill myself or... well, let's just say things get messy. I chose suicide after defeating the Elder Brain—talk about a tragic arc. It felt like a final act of love for my companions, sacrificing myself so they could live. But wow, the weight of it! If you resist the urge but still lose control, Durge shows up at the camp celebration later, totally insane, and attacks everyone. I mean, seeing my character imprisoned but then snapping and going on a rampage? Brutal, but so well-written. Check out these moments:

Moving on to allies turning on you—The Emperor. I trusted him too much during the Elder Brain takedown, and bam, he takes over everything! He enthralls you, making you a slave. I tried rebelling, got killed instantly. Lesson learned: never fully trust a Mind Flayer, except maybe Omeluum. He's cool. But the irony? If you try to seize power yourself, you might end up unwillingly enacting the Grand Design. I used too many tadpoles, felt the hivemind pull, and suddenly I'm turning people into Mind Flayers against my will. Talk about a hollow victory! 😫 Here's the Emperor in control:

Now, companion deaths hit hard. Karlach's ending? Oof. She's one of my favorites, and seeing her explode at the finale after saving everyone? Soul-crushing. If you romance her, it's even worse—she holds on just long enough to help, then poof. At least you can choose to go to Hell with her, which is better than nothing. But Lae'zel? If she stays loyal to Vlaakith, she ascends... only to be consumed by the queen. It's sad because she's doing everything right by her culture, and it gets her killed. Plus, seeing Vlaakith without illusions is a rare treat. Here's Lae'zel's fate:

Finally, the Mind Flayer endings. Someone has to transform to beat the Elder Brain—could be you, Karlach, or Orpheus. I did it to myself, and in the epilogue, I felt urges to attack others. Your personality fades fast. But seeing Karlach turn? That's heartbreaking. She's gone, replaced by the tadpole, using her memories like a puppet. It's a grim reminder that transformation equals death. Here's Karlach's fate:

So, why put yourself through this? Because these endings make Baldur's Gate 3 unforgettable. They challenge you, make you think, and honestly, they're fun in a dark way. Don't just stick to the hero path—dive into the shadows. Give it a shot in 2025; the game's still a masterpiece, and experiencing these twists firsthand is worth every tear. 🎮✨ Ready to see what your choices will bring? Start a new playthrough today—you won't regret it!