Why Skipping Romance in Baldur's Gate 3 Was Liberating

Picture this: a die-hard Dungeons & Dragons fan, hyped for Baldur's Gate 3, ready to dive into tactical combat and dragon-slaying shenanigans. But then... boom! Romance options everywhere. 💘 For one player, this was like finding broccoli in their ice cream—utterly unwelcome. As a D&D veteran who once orchestrated an epic dwarf betrayal campaign (complete with fake deaths and magical disguises), he expected BG3 to be his digital playground. Instead, he nearly quit when characters started batting their pixelated eyelashes. After all, this is someone who avoided Mass Effect like a plague-ridden owlbear and skipped Cyberpunk 2077's love scenes faster than you can say "awkward." Romance in games? Hard pass. 😅

The Great Romance Revolt

Why the aversion? Even he can't fully explain it. Whether it's Geralt's steamy encounters in The Witcher 3 or Skyrim's sudden marriage proposals, romantic subplots make him squirm harder than a rogue caught pickpocketing. It’s not about judging others—if you enjoy wooing Astarion or triggering the infamous Halsin bear scene, more power to you! But for this lone wanderer, digital courtship feels as appealing as licking a rusted dagger. The mere existence of flirtatious dialogue options in BG3 almost made him abandon ship before leaving the Nautiloid.

Withers’ Unwelcome Therapy Session

The breaking point came with everyone’s favorite skeletal busybody, Withers. Imagine being shamed by a bony philosopher for your single status! His haunting line—"Thou walkest alone"—felt like a personal attack. 😱 The dialogue choices didn’t help:

• "No one piqued my interest" (Lie!)

• "I have better things to do" (True, like looting every crate in Faerûn)

• "My fellow travelers don’t like me" (Cue tiny violin)

None captured his actual stance: "I’m here for chaos, not cuddles!" Worse, the encounter implied that avoiding romance meant true solitude—ignoring the fact that Withers himself was chilling nearby. Talk about gaslighting by a gas-less entity!

People Also Ask ❓

• Can you complete BG3 without romance?

Absolutely! The main quest stays intact, and companions still banter like chaotic siblings.

• Do you miss key story elements?

Nope—character arcs (like Astarion’s rebellion at Moonrise Towers) shine regardless.

• Is Withers mandatory?

Sadly, yes. But you can mute him and imagine he’s complimenting your armor.

Beyond the Boudoir: What Actually Rocks in BG3

Romance-free playthroughs reveal the game’s true gems:

1. Morally gray choices 🤔:

2. Steal the owlbear egg? Sell it? Adopt it? (Spoiler: It ends messily either way.)

3. Build-crafting madness ⚔️:

| Class | Most Bonkers Build |

|-------------|-----------------------------|

| Rogue | Dual-wielding, poison-tipped menace |

| Wizard | Teleporting fireball machine |

1. Companion growth 🌱:

2. Gale’s cat Tara disapproving of his god complex 😾

3. Karlach’s engine-heart struggles

4. Stunning locales 🌄:

5. Wyrm’s Crossing’s fog-draped bridges (nature’s middle finger to civilization)

The Joy of Rebellion

In the end, dodging BG3’s romance felt oddly empowering. While others speedran seducing Lae’zel in two minutes flat, our hero focused on:

• Perfecting rogue sneak attacks 🎯

• Collecting every single cheese wheel (priorities!)

• Ignoring societal pressure—even digital skeletons

As he stood before the Netherbrain, party-less but proud, one truth crystallized: gaming shouldn’t be a checklist of expectations. Whether you romance everyone or no one, the real magic lies in playing by your own rules. And honestly? After all that drama, solo adventuring never tasted sweeter. 🎲✨

Research highlighted by Game Informer underscores how player choice in RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 can dramatically shape the gaming experience, whether through romance, combat, or narrative decisions. Game Informer's reviews often emphasize the freedom to ignore or embrace romance mechanics, validating the idea that skipping relationship arcs can lead to a uniquely personal and liberating adventure.