Larian Studios just teased the appearance of a fan-favorite character from its preceding games in Baldur’s Gate 3. The tease came in the form of a short trailer announcing Baldur’s Gate 3’s attendance for The Game Awards.Though Baldur’s Gate 3 takes place in the same universe as its prequels, the action of the game is set 120 years after the end of Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn. Despite the timeskip, it seems players might run into Minsc, the wacky heroic companion from the previous games, in Baldur’s Gate 3.In a short trailer announcing Baldur’s Gate 3 at the Game Awards, Larian Studios showed the statue of Minsc and Boo in the titular city of Baldur’s Gate. The statue, erected in honor of the beloved ranger and his miniature giant space hamster, is cloaked in ivy and shrouded in darkness. However, as the camera pans to the statue's face, a bolt of magic energy strikes its head, the foliage is burned away, and the statue's eyes begin to glow, indicating the statue may not be what it seems.
Players privy to other Dungeons and Dragons material might be less surprised by Minsc’s apparent return in Baldur’s Gate 3. Minsc’s petrification and subsequent freedom were detailed in the Legends of Baldur’s Gate comic series, and his recent escapades were further shown in the semi-official Dungeons and Dragons sourcebook Minsc and Boo’s Journal of Villainy. Likewise, the dynamic duo appeared as a Magic: The Gathering card in Adventures in the Forgotten Realms set.
Many Baldur’s Gate fans are excited to see Minsc make his triumphant return in the new sequel. Some intrepid players had previously discovered models for Minsc and Jaheira, another Baldur’s Gate and companion. Now it seems Larian Studios is ready to reveal Minsc’s presence in the game, meaning Jaheira will almost certainly be returning as well.
Some players are less enthusiastic about Minsc’s return to Baldur’s Gate 3. Though quite popular, Minsc is a comic relief character whose absurd antics are not to every player’s tastes. These players would rather Baldur’s Gate 3 rely on its new characters, rather than pandering to its audience with cameos. Players won’t have to wait long to find out what sort of role Minsc will play in Baldur’s Gate 3. A full reveal trailer will air during The Game Awards on December 8–and if players are lucky, perhaps Larian Studios will also share a full release date for Baldur’s Gate 3.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is currently in Early Access and is available for the PC.