Have you ever played **Baldur’s Gate 3** (BG3) and suddenly noticed something strange happening with your character’s approval ratings? One moment, you’re building deep relationships with companions, and the next, you’re stuck in an endless loop of negative approval for no reason. Yes, we are talking about the infamous **BG3 Approval Bug**. If you’ve encountered this frustrating issue, you’re not alone! Let’s dive into the problem, how it affects the game, and—most importantly—how to fix it.
What Is the BG3 Approval Bug?
The BG3 Approval Bug is a nasty little glitch that messes with the approval system in the game. BG3, for those who might be new to it, is an RPG where your character’s relationships with companions play a huge role in the game’s story. These relationships are tracked through an approval system where your companions either like or dislike your actions, and you can build stronger bonds with them over time.
However, in some cases, this approval system goes haywire. The bug causes your companions to act like they’ve suddenly started to hate you, even though you haven’t done anything wrong (or anything to make them dislike you). It’s like the NPCs are just having a bad day and take it out on you, and that can make your journey feel a lot less enjoyable.
How Does It Affect Gameplay?
You know what’s even worse than an NPC hating you? An NPC hating you when you have no idea why. Players have reported that sometimes, after making a series of good choices, their companions’ approval suddenly drops to the lowest level. This can lead to some awkward conversations where your companions act cold and distant, and you, as the player, are left feeling confused.
This bug can especially affect your gameplay when you are trying to recruit certain companions or want to unlock new story content based on high approval. When the approval bug hits, you might find that your hard-earned relationship progress has been wiped out for no reason. Ouch!
Why Does the BG3 Approval Bug Happen?
Well, there’s no official statement from the developers (Larian Studios) about why this bug exists, but the general consensus is that it’s tied to how the game processes player actions and dialogue choices. BG3’s approval system is dynamic, so every choice you make can impact your relationship with companions. However, sometimes the game doesn’t properly register these actions, leading to inconsistent approval drops.
The bug seems to affect certain platforms more than others, with some players on **PC** and **Steam** experiencing it more frequently. It’s possible that different setups or patches can impact how the bug appears, but for now, it’s clear that it’s still a bit of a mystery.
Players’ Reactions to the Bug
Oh, the frustration! Players on Reddit, forums, and social media have been sharing their experiences of the BG3 approval bug, and let’s just say, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Some players were devastated when a companion they had worked hard to gain approval with suddenly started disapproving of every decision they made.
For example, one player said, “I spent hours helping Astarion, but now every time I try to make him happy, it feels like he’s getting more and more annoyed. I don’t know what happened! Did I say something wrong? Is he just having a bad day?”
Another player shared, “I was about to unlock a special romance scene with Shadowheart, but then the approval bug hit. Now, I can’t seem to make her happy, no matter what I do. It’s like she’s broken, and I feel like I’m failing as a player!”
It’s safe to say that the BG3 approval bug can cause some serious emotional distress for players who care deeply about their companions. But don’t worry—help is on the way!
How to Fix the BG3 Approval Bug
If you’re facing the dreaded approval bug, here are some practical steps you can take to fix it and restore harmony to your party:
1. **Update Your Game**: The first thing you should try is updating your game to the latest version. Larian Studios frequently releases patches and hotfixes, and there’s a good chance that they have already fixed the bug in a newer version.
2. **Reload Old Saves**: If the bug has already caused some damage to your relationships, try loading an older save before the issue occurred. This might not be a perfect solution, but it can save you from going through the same frustrating moments.
3. **Dialogue Choices**: Sometimes, the bug can be triggered by specific dialogue choices. Try reloading the game and choosing different responses to see if that changes the approval rating.
4. **Community Solutions**: Many players have discussed the issue in BG3’s official forums and Reddit threads, offering solutions. Some have suggested reloading certain areas or performing specific in-game actions to reset the approval system.
5. **Patience**: Finally, if all else fails, try waiting for an official patch from Larian Studios. They are active in the community and have likely acknowledged the bug. In the meantime, try to enjoy the other aspects of the game.
What Are Players Saying?
It’s clear that the BG3 community is passionate about their companions, and many players have voiced their opinions about the approval bug. While some have expressed frustration, others are taking it in stride and joking about it.
One Reddit user said, “I thought my character was really good at making friends, but now it feels like I’m just making enemies! Maybe my character should take a course on social skills.”
Another user shared a more positive perspective: “Well, at least I get to experience the full range of emotions in the game. A little drama never hurt anyone, right?”
Despite the bug being an inconvenience, players seem to understand that these things happen in big, complex games like BG3. Many are hopeful that a fix will be coming soon and are continuing to enjoy the game despite the hiccups.
Conclusion: The BG3 Approval Bug and Beyond
So, there you have it—the BG3 approval bug in all its glory! While it’s certainly an annoying issue, there are ways to handle it and continue your adventure. Keep your game updated, try reloading old saves, and maybe take a break if things get too intense with your companions.
Have you encountered the BG3 approval bug? How did it affect your relationships with your companions? Did you find a solution, or are you still dealing with it? Let us know in the comments below—your experience might just help someone else who’s in the same boat!
At the end of the day, **BG3** is still an amazing game with a rich story and deep character interactions, bugs and all. Here’s hoping the next patch will bring a smoother experience, but until then, happy adventuring!
