Baldur's Gate 3 Dominates 2023: A Landmark Gaming Year Even Without Starfield

Highlights

The 6-year development of Baldur's Gate 3 has resulted in it becoming one of the most eagerly awaited games of the year, receiving outstanding reviews from both critics and players.

The game adheres to the rules of Dungeons and Dragons 5e, providing players with a deep and intricate experience featuring turn-based combat and a group of companions.

The exceptional reception of Baldur's Gate 3 is a testament to the outstanding standard of games released in 2023, alongside highly acclaimed titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Should Starfield achieve similar success, it might solidify this year's excellence in gaming.

The longer development cycles of video games compared to other forms of entertainment allow for the release of exceptional games in certain years. These years, such as 1998 and 2007, become significant for gaming communities. In 2023, Baldur's Gate 3 has already positioned itself to join the list of these landmark years, despite the upcoming release of Bethesda's Starfield later this year.

Baldur's Gate 3 generated high anticipation due to its 6-year development cycle and its status as a sequel to the beloved Baldur's Gate 2. The game follows Dungeons and Dragons 5e rules, featuring turn-based combat, a party of companions, and the freedom expected of a tabletop game in video game format. This aspect greatly appealed to players, resulting in reviews for Baldur's Gate 3 that not only matched but in some cases even surpassed the exceptional scores of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom earlier this year. Rather than a competition, these reviews demonstrate the outstanding quality of games in 2023.

The Success of Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3, released as an early access game in 2020, underwent numerous improvements before its official launch in August 2023. Drawing inspiration from Dungeons and Dragons, it boasts a complex character and class system, as well as a combat system that may require some adjustment. Nevertheless, the game's extensive and entertaining content more than compensates for its steep learning curve, resulting in near-perfect reviews from both critics and players. Truly catering to all, Baldur's Gate 3 offers an unforgettable experience, with such vast scope that even multiple playthroughs cannot cover all the available content.

As players immerse themselves in Baldur's Gate 3, Bethesda prepares for the launch of its new IP Starfield, which focuses on exploration and adventure among the stars. Unlike Baldur's Gate 3, Starfield did not have the advantage of early access, leaving players uncertain about what to expect beyond Bethesda's showcased features. However, if the studio can meet the expectations set by its previous releases like Skyrim, Starfield is poised to become another successful launch in 2023.

Review Scores For Games Released in 2023

Baldur's Gate 3 - 97

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - 96

Metroid Prime Remastered - 94

Resident Evil 4 (2023) - 92

Street Fighter 6 - 92

Final Fantasy 16 - 89

Hi-Fi Rush - 89

Dead Space (2023) - 89

Diablo 4 - 88

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line - 86

With just over four months left in the year, there are still numerous games set to be released. Among them is the highly anticipated early access to Hades 2, announced by Supergiant Games in January but without any recent updates. The success of Baldur's Gate 3 has already made this year stand out, but there are still a few more victories needed to end the year on a high note. Hopefully, Starfield, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 will achieve this when they launch in October, followed by Persona 5 Tactica and the Super Mario RPG in November.

Currently, Baldur's Gate 3 is available for PC, and the PlayStation 5 version will be released on September 6th, 2023. The development of the Xbox Series X/S version is still ongoing.