Baldur’s Gate 3 provided inspiration for Stranger Things' final battle in the Netflix series. Read on to learn more about the interview and details here!
Baldur’s Gate 3 Influences Stranger Things’ Finale
Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork
Baldur's Gate 3 heavily influenced Stranger Things' series' final battle, as confirmed by the series creators, the Duffer Brothers.
In a recent interview with Variety on January 1st, Matt Duffer revealed that he was playing Baldur’s Gate 3 while working on the finale, citing the game’s emphasis on team-based strategy, which helped guide how the main cast confronted the series’ ultimate antagonist, Vecna.
"It was significant that the only way for them to defeat it was for the entire party to work together," Duffer explained, highlighting how each character’s role contributed to the protagonists’ victory.
The Duffers also noted that each character’s emotional journey was a crucial element of the confrontation: "They’re the ultimate team, and it’s the party working all together to defeat this thing. And that’s where I go back to Dungeons & Dragons and something like Baldur’s Gate." RPG-style tactics helped shape the finale, merging naturally with the narrative to enhance its overall impact.
Larian’s Founder Reacts
This connection drew positive attention from Baldur’s Gate 3 players and even Larian Studios, with studio head Swen Vincke responding to the interview on his personal Twitter (X), "That’s pretty cool."
The revelation that Baldur’s Gate 3 influenced Stranger Things highlights the growing crossover between video games and linear storytelling. With the rise of games in the film industry, the success of well-known movie franchise titles such as "Sonic the Hedgehog", "Five Five Nights at Freddy’s", and "Dungeons and Dragons" have furthered interest in combining both mediums.
RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 3 emphasize team dynamics, strategic pacing, and character interdependence, elements that were all reflected in the series’ conclusion. Projects like this demonstrate how games and film coexist in a creative ecosystem, continually inspiring each other in new ways, allowing storytelling techniques from one medium to influence the other.
Slight Rift in Reception
The Season 5 finale generated widespread discussion among viewers. Loyal viewers praised the large-scale payoff and character-driven resolution, particularly highlighting how teamwork and coordination made the final battle feel earned and satisfying.
The climax also sparked discussions on Reddit; commenters emphasized the group’s coordination, noting, "They had a plan and they all knew their roles in the plan. Each brought their own expertise and handled business." While the importance of each character’s role was widely appreciated, some users still expressed a desire for a more streamlined final episode.
Fans debated regarding the pacing and some unresolved plot points, but overall reactions still leaned positive. Across its nine-year run, Stranger Things reinforced its impact with a finale that combined spectacle, emotion, and strategy like an RPG.
Viewers also responded enthusiastically to the Baldur’s Gate 3 inspiration, appreciating that the game-influenced approach fit naturally with the series’ long-standing ties to Dungeons & Dragons. Across social platforms after the series' end, fans expressed their hopes that future productions can achieve the same level of impact as Stranger Things.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For more updates and information on the game, check out our article below!
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