The favor towards Baldur’s Gate 3 as Game of the Year
The favor towards Baldur’s Gate 3 as Game of the Year is notable, even as 2023 has seen a year filled with strong gaming releases. The game’s success story began as soon as it entered early access, where it was clear that Larian studios were crafting a hit. Come August, when it was fully released, this prediction proved true as the game went from success to success, hitting record-breaking achievements and gaining an unprecedented amount of popularity.
Comparison with other Games of the Year
High reviews and constant praise have led many players to compare Baldur’s Gate 3 to previous and upcoming Game of the Year contenders. Whilst some wait to see Starfield take off before making a decision, there is a resounding sentiment that Baldur’s Gate 3 holds deserving stake to the top title.
A game enthusiast’s viewpoint
A game enthusiast shared their reasoning regarding Baldur’s Gate 3 deserving the Game of the Year title, stating: 'It is downright incredible to see a CRPG from Larian (which while a large and well-known company still doesn’t have the same degree of recognition and brand loyalty as Bethesda) compete and even surpass the first new IP that Bethesda has created in 25 years on its launch day.'
Support and ratings
The show of support for this statement turned out to be immense, with many agreeing that the ratings give a good indication about the popularity of its competitors: 'Baldur’s Gate 3 is the highest rated game on Metacritic this year, and in the top 10 of all time. Starfield isn’t even in the top 10 this year.'
Starfield vs Baldur’s Gate 3
Remarkably, it’s important to note that Starfield has only recently been released, while Baldur’s Gate 3 has had almost a month of release, so these comparisons are still subject to change. Nonetheless, the initial reaction from players is highly favorable for Baldur’s Gate 3 and this sentiment resonates with many.
A Neutral Standpoint
However, despite the massive support, some game enthusiasts argue from a more neutral perspective. To them, the Game of the Year competition is not as one-sided as others believe, thus, making the decide on the top spot, even trickier.
Final Thoughts
Finally, the love for Baldur’s Gate 3 is indeed evident, but with still many exciting games due to come out in the foreseeable future and countless hours to be spent in Baldur’s Gate 3, Tears of the Kingdom, and Starfield, it’s too early to determine the winner of the Game of the Year title. Despite these factors, however, many players have already decided their champion.