For a long while last autumn, I thought of almost nothing but Larian’s Baldur’s Gate 3. My husband and I spent all of our free time playing, and when we weren’t literally in game, we sent each other walk-through videos, easter egg articles, and threads about side quests we’d missed. I even started dreaming about the storyline and characters. Eventually, the obsession faded, but only after we’d finished our playthrough and begun another.

So far, my original characters have been a bit all over the map—a half-elf Druid named Arwen (thank you to J.R.R Tolkien for the namesake); a dragonborn Warlock named Spike; a tiefling Bard named Siouxsie; and a githyanki wild-magic Sorcerer inexplicably named Sponch. But what remains true in each playthrough is the sense of wonder that flows through every tabletop Dungeons & Dragons campaign. There are opportunities for daring heroism or, in equal measure, the pursuit of power through sinister means. There’s a vast, explorable fantasy world filled with danger and whimsy, where you’re just as likely to run into a hostile group of gnolls as you are a lickable pile of spider meat.

Yet ask any player and they’ll tell you that the most memorable component of Baldur’s Gate 3 is the remarkable cast of characters at its core. While there’s no shortage of compelling villains and endearing side NPCs, it’s the game’s recruitable companions that really shine. Their backgrounds, personalities, goals, and alignments are all their own, and how you choose to interact with them plays a part in how their story shakes out.

So, it follows that if you’re here, you’re a fan of exceptional, character-driven storytelling. And you’re in the right place—we’ve made it simple to cure that BG3 hangover (or to accompany you on your next journey through the Forgotten Realms) with these listening recommendations, all based on your favorite companions.

Note: Proceed with caution! The following article contains plot spoilers for Baldur's Gate 3.