The Baldur’s Gate remakes should scrap the original combat system and fully embrace superior turn-based fights
Baldur’s Gate 2, along with the original Baldur’s Gate, is set to receive remakes, as recently announced by Wizards of the Coast. The publisher has brought back BG2’s co-lead designer to help shepherd the remakes, signaling a commitment to honoring the classics. However, significant details about the scope and direction of these remakes remain unclear.
In an opinion piece, one analyst argues passionately that the remakes should embrace a substantial departure from the originals: replacing the Real-Time With Pause (RTWP) combat system with full turn-based gameplay. The author, a long-time CRPG enthusiast dating back to the 1990s, contends that Baldur’s Gate 3’s turn-based combat system represents the superior evolution of the franchise’s battle mechanics.
The central argument centers on gameplay preference and design philosophy. While acknowledging that players have historically “muddled through” the RTWP system, the author makes the case that BG3 demonstrates a more refined, engaging combat approach. This suggests that a remake presents an ideal opportunity to modernize the foundational mechanics that define the Baldur’s Gate experience for contemporary players.
The proposal raises interesting questions about the boundaries of what constitutes a “remake.” Does modernization require preserving original mechanics, or can significant system overhauls still honor the spirit of a classic? With Wizards of the Coast clearly invested in the project—evidenced by recruiting original talent—the company will need to balance nostalgia against innovation.