Baldur’s Gate 3 is full of twists and turns, especially in Act 3. The Dream Guardian, who you design at the beginning of the game, is revealed to be the Emperor—a mind flayer who rebels against the Absolute’s design. But that’s not all, the Emperor turns out to be Balduran, the father of Baldur’s Gate itself. Surprisingly, the clues to these twists were hidden in plain sight in the game’s music.
The Song of Balduran, a beautiful melody that plays in the Elfsong Tavern, actually hints at the Emperor’s true identity. The lyrics talk about Balduran founding Baldur’s Gate and being transformed and enslaved. This foreshadowing was not only in the lyrics but also in the music itself. The game’s composer, Borislav Slavov, revealed that the same piece of music was introduced earlier in a different rendition, preparing players emotionally for the big reveal.
Slavov’s clever use of iterative musical themes in Baldur’s Gate 3 was a stroke of genius. By subtly weaving in the core melody of “Down by the River” and The Song of Balduran in different parts of the game, he managed to hint at the twists without players even realizing it. The idea was to subconsciously prepare players for the emotional impact of the reveals, and it worked perfectly.
During a talk at BAFTA’s “An Evening with Baldur’s Gate 3”, Slavov explained his intention behind the music and how he wanted to give players a hint without them recognizing it. The use of familiar melodies in different arrangements created a sense of déjà vu when the big reveal happened, making the moment even more impactful.
As players, we often overlook the importance of music in games, but Baldur’s Gate 3’s soundtrack proves just how powerful it can be in setting the tone and foreshadowing key plot points. Slavov’s attention to detail and clever use of musical motifs added an extra layer of depth to the game’s narrative, enhancing the overall experience for players.
In conclusion, Baldur’s Gate 3’s early music clues for Act 3 twists were a deliberate and masterful stroke of storytelling. The subtle hints hidden in the game’s music added a new dimension to the narrative, making the reveals even more shocking and impactful. Next time you play a game, pay attention to the music—you never know what secrets it might be hiding.
