Baldur's Gate 3 fandom is way more elitist and unable to accept criticism of the game than any soulslike game fandom, send post.

My Baldur's Gate 3 experience, in full.

Like, genuinely happy for people who loved this game but I absolutely hated my experience with it. Waste of time and money.

Okay, here goes.That feeling  when you wake up and realise it's not a bad dream.

I'm writing this on the bus, on the way to work. I'm wearing my Zavala hoodie and it's absolutely miserable, pouring rain, which seems appropriate.

I'm not usually one to get very upset over celebrity deaths but Lance Reddick's passing has absolutely bodied me. I picked up my phone last night to see about half a dozen DMs warning me what had happened and I genuinely felt like I'd been punched in the gut.

I wish I could say I noticed him in the Wire but that wasn't my introduction, I became a fan because of Fringe. Agent Broyles typified the kind of role that Lance could absolutely in nail in a way few actors could; stern, authoritative but with an underlying compassion and kindness that shone through if you paid attention.

I started playing Destiny in year one and Zavala was my favourite character from the off, the cast grew over the years but he was never toppled from the top spot for me. As soon as I heard him speak, I knew I was in for a treat. You always are when you hear *that* voice.

I mainly played solo and didn't really get involved with the fandom until the run up to Destiny 2. My life was in turmoil at the time, my father passed and my mother followed a few months later. Destiny was an escape and Zavala's character, in particular, was a comforting presence. He's typically strong and imposing, what you'd expect from an FPS leader character but Zavala is so much more than that. He's kind, compassionate, principled. I was, and still  am, fed up of Game of Thrones style moral greys, Zavala's unambiguous goodness was a breath of fresh air and so compelling. I was so ready for a character who embodied goodness, someone who'd always do what was right no matter what. I'd follow him into battle without hesitation (and let's not get too poetic here, let's be honest, I'd climb him like a tree too, I'm only human).

It might seem silly, and not everyone will be able to relate but when your life is falling apart, hearing that voice in your ear telling you, "Be brave," it really meant something to me.

It might be daft to get weepy over someone I didn't know. His characters meant the world to me, his tweets about his dogs made me laugh and his involvement with and enthusiasm for the Destiny community was heartwarming but I didn't know him. But still. I'm heartbroken. I wish I could have met him and told him what Zavala meant to me. He was a comforting voice in my ear and it's gutting to know he won't be around to see The Final Shape. It just feels so wrong and unfair.

So farewell and thank you, Lance. I'm sending all the love to your family, friends and colleagues. I wish we all had longer with you.

The Light provides.

Thank you, whomever you are, who joined in with my little vigil.

Rest in peace, Lance Reddick.

I'm absolutely heartbroken, this is a devastating loss.