Stranger Things Finale Inspired by Baldur's Gate 3

The co-creators of Stranger Things have disclosed that the climactic battle of the series finale was shaped by the mechanics of Baldur's Gate 3. Matt and Ross Duffer revealed that the need for the heroes to function as a unified 'party' was a direct result of the RPG's influence. The finale, titled 'The Rightside Up,' sees the characters travel to The Abyss to confront Vecna and the Mind Flayer. Larian Studios, the developer behind Baldur's Gate 3, reacted positively to the revelation. The battle strategy involved the cast utilizing their individual skills in a manner similar to how players manage a party in the video game.

During an interview regarding the conclusion of the hit series, Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer identified the specific media that shaped the final act. Matt Duffer noted that he was actively playing Baldur's Gate 3 while he and his brother were plotting the finale's trajectory. The game, which is an official Dungeons & Dragons video title, utilizes specific combat rules and party dynamics that the creators wanted to emulate.

The influence of Dungeons & Dragons has long been a staple of the show's DNA, but the specific structure of the final battle was a direct homage to the video game. The creators felt it was essential that the victory be achieved through collective effort rather than individual heroism. This narrative choice required the cast to move past their personal issues and operate as a perfectly synchronized unit.

The finale features a complex battle sequence where the heroes are split into two teams. One team enters the Mind Flayer to face Vecna and rescue kidnapped children, while the other engages the massive entity from the outside. This structure allowed the writers to assign specific roles to each character based on their established strengths, mirroring the class systems found in RPGs.

Matt Duffer emphasized that the cast had reached a point of 'self-acceptance' and were 'primed' for the fight. The battle plays out with distinct character actions:

• Eleven uses her psychokinetic powers to carve a path inside the Mind Flayer.
• Dustin suggests the team 'spread out' and 'flank it on all sides' to 'chip away at its hit points,' a direct reference to gaming terminology.
• Nancy Wheeler draws the entity's attention with her firearm skills while the team ambushes it from above.
• Jonathan Byers utilizes a flamethrower, while others throw Molotov cocktails.
• Steve and Dustin strike from below with melee weapons.
• Will eventually uses his powers to help finish the job.

This coordinated assault reflects the gameplay of Baldur's Gate 3, where players control a main character and companions like Shadowheart, Astarion, and Karlach, each bringing unique skills to boss fights.

Following the Duffer Brothers' admission, executives at Larian Publishing acknowledged the connection. Swen Vincke, the head of Larian, took to social media to offer a brief but positive reaction, stating, 'That's pretty cool.'

Additionally, Michael Douse, the publishing director for Larian, expressed his enthusiasm for the reference. He jokingly remarked on the timing of the news, stating, 'Damn now I really should watch Stranger Things…' The interaction highlights the growing overlap between high-budget television production and modern video game mechanics.

The final episode, 'The Rightside Up,' serves as the conclusion to the long-running narrative involving Vecna. The heroes' journey to The Abyss provided the setting for this ultimate confrontation. While the Duffer Brothers have explained the inspiration behind the battle mechanics, they also noted that they have explanations for other fan queries, such as the whereabouts of the Demogorgons during the final fight.

Additionally, details regarding the live-action spinoff and theories surrounding the 'Conformity Gate' have been circulating. Sadie Sink's interpretation of Eleven's ending has also been a topic of discussion among the fanbase following the finale's release.