The climactic battle in the finale of Stranger Things was directly inspired by the mechanics and spirit of the hit role-playing game Baldur's Gate 3, the show's creators have revealed. Matt and Ross Duffer explained how the modern video game influenced the staging of the two-hour conclusion to their hit Netflix series, which first premiered in 2016.
From Dungeons & Dragons to Digital Battles
In an interview with Variety, Matt Duffer connected the dots between the show's long-standing love for Dungeons & Dragons and the specific influence of Larian Studios' acclaimed 2023 video game. "We were thinking about [Dungeons & Dragons] and I was playing Baldur's Gate 3 at the time," Duffer stated. He emphasised that the core concept for defeating the ultimate evil was a direct lift from party-based RPGs: "We felt it was very important that the only way for them to defeat it was for the entire party to work together."
The show has always been steeped in 1980s nostalgia, with video game references peppered throughout its run. Earlier seasons featured classic arcade cabinets like Dig Dug and Dragon's Lair, while the fifth season included moments with Ghosts 'N Goblins on the NES and Duck Hunt. However, the inspiration for the grand finale came from a much more contemporary source.
Crafting the Ultimate Party vs. The Mind Flayer
Duffer elaborated on the narrative parallel, describing how the Hawkins crew mirrored a perfectly synergised RPG adventuring party. "Everyone had fully realised – either through self-acceptance or they’ve resolved all their various issues – moving into that final battle, they’re absolutely primed. They’re the ultimate team," he said. This focus on individual skills and collaborative strategy is a hallmark of both Dungeons & Dragons and its digital adaptation, Baldur's Gate 3.
The final showdown, which takes place in a dimension referred to as the Abyss, sees a large group of core characters confronting Vecna and the spider-like Mind Flayer. The staging is deliberately reminiscent of a classic video game boss fight. At one key moment, characters including Mike, Lucas, Robin, and Jonathan scale a cliff to bombard the beast—a tactical move that visually echoes many gaming finales.
Industry Recognition and Lasting Legacy
The revelation did not go unnoticed by the gaming world. Swen Vincke, the CEO of Larian Studios, shared an article detailing Duffer's comments on X (formerly Twitter), simply adding: "That’s pretty cool." This nod from the creator of Baldur's Gate 3 underscores the significant cultural crossover between the blockbuster series and the gaming industry.
While the Duffers noted that "lots of video game references" were applied to the final battle, the specific inspiration from Baldur's Gate 3 highlights how modern gaming continues to shape contemporary storytelling. The news follows the recent announcement that Larian's next project will be a new entry in the Divinity series, following the success of their Dungeons & Dragons adaptation.
The fusion of 80s-inspired nostalgia with a 2023 Game of the Year winner demonstrates the enduring and evolving relationship between Stranger Things and video game culture, providing a fittingly epic template for the series' last stand against the forces of the Upside Down.
