In a surprising turn of events, Larian Studios’ CEO, Swen Vincke, teamed up with two Lord of the Rings actors for an entertaining Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough. This unexpected collaboration between Vincke and Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins) and Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee) has become essential Christmas viewing for fans. Larian Studios shared a brief video clip of the playthrough on social media, and it is nothing short of hilarious.
As the video begins, we witness Astin and Wood joining Vincke for the opening hours of the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) RPG. Laughs erupt almost instantly when Astin takes notice of a naked Tiefling character on the creation screen. He jokingly remarks, “I’m really excited to see what is already… beautiful to look at.” Clearly, the camaraderie between the Lord of the Rings actors adds an extra layer of entertainment to the gameplay.
The playthrough includes some entertaining callbacks to Middle-Earth. Astin channels his character, Samwise Gamgee, as he defeats the Spider Matriarch, reminiscent of his Shelob-hunting era. He proudly exclaims, “I killed the big spider… again!” Meanwhile, Wood decides to create a halfling character with the Dark Urge background. One cannot help but draw parallels between his role as Frodo Baggins, tempted by the overwhelming darkness of the One Ring.
The playthrough takes a surprising turn when Wood’s character unlocks the Necromancy of Thay book. Suddenly, evil temptations consume him, leading him to perform comically mischievous acts such as kicking a squirrel, chopping off a wizard’s arm, and hurling a gnome across the village. The conclusion of this segment amusingly mirrors the iconic trilogy, as Wood’s character succumbs to darkness just like Gollum.
A Spirited Adventure
Retaining the essence of Samwise Gamgee, Astin takes his companion to a pit filled with lava. In a nod to the Lord of the Rings, he urges Wood to throw the book into the fire, just as Frodo destroyed the One Ring. However, Wood’s character resists, claiming the book holds endless possibilities and power. Recognizing his friend’s descent into darkness, Astin decides to kick both Wood and the dark book into the lava pit, portraying a reverse-Gollum moment.
The eight-minute video is a delightful treat for fans of both Baldur’s Gate 3 and Lord of the Rings. It is nearly impossible not to crack a smile while watching the entertaining banter between Vincke, Wood, and Astin. If you are craving more crossovers between these beloved franchises, you may want to explore the mod that adds the entire Fellowship of the Ring to Baldur’s Gate 3.
This unexpected collaboration between Larian Studios’ CEO Swen Vincke and Lord of the Rings actors Elijah Wood and Sean Astin has provided fans with an unforgettable Christmas treat. The humor, camaraderie, and nods to Middle-Earth in this Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough make it a must-watch for both gaming and movie enthusiasts. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this heartwarming and laughter-filled adventure that blends two beloved worlds into one unforgettable experience.
Leave a Reply