The stress test for the eighth, and possibly the final major patch of Baldur's Gate III, has officially kicked off. Some Sony console players previously got an early sneak peek at the patch, but if you're not keen on jumping into the testing phase, the developers suggest a fresh reinstall of the game.
Diving into the key features of Patch 8, one standout addition is crossplay, which bridges the gap between console and PC players, allowing them to team up seamlessly. You can even extend invites to friends across different platforms as long as they're connected through a Larian account. Excitingly, modded gameplay is also getting in on the cross-platform action, but with a couple of caveats: all mods used by PC players need to be compatible with Mac and consoles, and the host's lobby should not exceed a double-digit number of installed mods.
Speaking of multiplayer enhancements, a much-anticipated feature is currently under testing: split-screen co-op on Xbox Series S. This lower-powered console previously couldn't handle split-screen play, so this update is a game-changer for Xbox Series S owners.
Patch 8 doesn't stop there. It also introduces a photo mode brimming with customization options, and adds 12 new subclasses to enrich your gameplay experience. Larian has tackled numerous bugs and fine-tuned game balance, although some issues still linger. For a comprehensive rundown of all the changes in the stress test, check out the game’s official page.