Engine is similar but BG3's is more enhanced. Story is a complete other level. It delivers on the level of what Todd Howard promises and starts approaching what Peter Molineux used to promise.
A decent comparison is the 5e SRD based game Solasta: Crown of the Magister that uses the same 5e ruleset as BG3, and it does some things better, but is an absolutely on-rails experience. Even one instance where you have to get caught stealing to proceed in the main quest.
Where BG3 shines is looking truly open.
E.G. In the primary map's "main" conflict, you have three main factions, A group that runs a refuge,
B some refugees and C some goblins.
You can side with A, A+B, B, A+C, B then C, A then C, C then B+A. All of those outcomes will have rollon effects down the line. And not changes like Mass Effect 1's Rachni Queen to Mass Effect 3's "oh you killed that one, well someone else found a queen", but like: this PC's personal quest can't be completed on this run. Or a vendor that carries multiple unique items has a quest you can't complete because your loot goblin friend opened a chest the game told her multiple times to not open.
Letto@reddthat.com 10 months ago
That’s almost exactly the difference. Mechanically, they are very similar with some expanded interactions and a bit more player agency. It feels more like playing d&d than ever before.
The SCOPE of the story is on an entirely different level. I’ve only played the first 10 hours, but I’ve done so almost 4 times, and each run through has felt >70% unique. Choices have weight, options are meaningful and plentiful, character interactions are some of the closest I’ve felt to interacting with other players in a turn based RPG.
Is it going to shock the world like Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild? No, probably not. It does show what can be accomplished by a great team of driven writers and programmers who actually care.
Definitely worth a try if you can pay the entry fee.