The Triumph of Baldur's Gate 3
The triumph of Baldur's Gate 3 has sparked an outpouring of conviction that the title is a strong contender for Game of the Year. This comes in a year marked by numerous popular releases, making 2023 one of the most challenging yet.
Early Access Success
From the moment Baldur's Gate 3 was in early access, it was apparent that Larian Studios had crafted a potential blockbuster. The game's full release in August only solidified this assumption as the title saw record-breaking success following its release.
Comparison with Other GOTY Contenders
Alongside its positive reviews, many players are now putting Baldur's Gate 3 on par with previous and upcoming GOTY contenders. While some are awaiting the complete launch of the game Starfield to make a decision, a majority of players are siding with the argument that 'BG3 deserves GOTY.'
Baldur’s Gate 3 vs Starfield
In this vein, a rationalization for Baldur’s Gate 3 deserving the GOTY award was put forward by a player. They elaborated on the exceptional ability of the game from Larian Studios to compete with, and surpass, the first new IP from Bethesda, even though the studio doesn't have the same degree of recognition and brand loyalty. Many reacted positively to this claim, indicating how ratings can provide a good insight into the game's popularity, compared to competitors.
Considerations for Starfield
While some support was observed for the new game Starfield, it’s important to note that the game had only recently been released, while Baldur’s Gate 3 has had almost a month of active release time plus its early access period. Therefore, the Metacritic scores are subject to change and we could see a significant increase for Starfield after people have had the chance to fully experience it.
Various Opinions
However, not everyone was aligned with the majority. Some took a more neutral approach, wondering why people are comparing Baldur's Gate 3 to Starfield, as both games are enjoyable. This could potentially indicate a challenging GOTY competition.
Some even went as far as saying that they don’t think Baldur's Gate 3 will even make the cut, offering the opinion that the final act of the game didn't quite make the same impact as the first two.
The Uncertain Future
Ultimately, it’s impossible to predict what title will claim the GOTY award in such a busy year. There are still plenty more games set to be released, and countless more hours to be spent playing Baldur’s Gate 3, Tears of the Kingdom, and Starfield. Despite this, many players already seem to have their winner.
