Larian Boss Reacts to Baldur's Gate 3 Inspiring Stranger Things Finale
The Duffer Brothers drew inspiration from the beloved RPG for the final battle sequence, earning praise from Larian Studios' head honcho.
The final season of Stranger Things wrapped up with an epic confrontation that drew direct inspiration from one of gaming's most celebrated RPGs. When the Party faced off against Vecna and the Mind Flayer in the series finale, the showrunners looked to Baldur's Gate 3 for guidance on crafting the climactic battle.
Matt Duffer revealed the connection during a recent interview. "We were thinking about D&D, and I was playing Baldur's Gate 3 at the time, and we felt it was very important that the only way for them to defeat it was for the entire party to work together," he explained to Variety.
Gaming Industry Responds
Swen Vincke, the head of Larian Studios, caught wind of the tribute and shared his thoughts on social media. He posted an article about the RPG's influence on the show with a simple but telling response: "That's pretty cool."
The connection makes perfect sense when you consider the shared DNA between both properties. Mind Flayers serve as major antagonists in Baldur's Gate 3, and the game's climax features a massive battle against an Illithid enemy that demands coordination from all party members.
Full Circle Moment
The finale delivered more than just spectacular action. Joyce Byers landed the killing blow on Vecna in a scene that Winona Ryder nailed in just two takes, decapitating the villain in dramatic fashion.
After the dust settled from their final confrontation, the Party gathered one last time in Mike Wheeler's basement for a D&D session. This touching callback mirrored the very first scene of the entire series. The credits rolled with another nod to the beginning, referencing Will Byers's infamous dice roll that started everything. It was a seven.