GameSpot Awards Baldur's Gate 3 the Title of Game of the Year 2023

I can pinpoint the exact moment I knew Baldur's Gate 3 would be a hit. Last year, Kurt Indovina created a video titled The Box That Broke Baldur's Gate 3, in which Swen Vincke spoke in great detail about how Larian Studios used advanced programming to ensure that players would always end up with an artifact necessary to progress the game, regardless of their choices.

In the video, I saw the dedication and creativity required to craft a rewarding story and plan for every possible outcome, similar to a Game Master in Dungeons & Dragons. At that moment, I knew that Larian Studios understood the assignment. The developers prioritized encouraging and rewarding player choice by accounting for as many outcomes as possible, leading to what will be the best game of 2023.

Baldur's Gate 3 excels in leveraging every aspect of the game to guide your creativity back to the established narrative, creating a sense of limitless options and correctness. The game's clever writing and top-notch voice acting bring its characters and memorable narrator to life, encouraging you to pursue their storylines and objectives. Intelligent enemy AI responds to your actions, ensuring that even repeated combat encounters against the same enemies feel unique, with your choices shaping fights in numerous ways.

The game is filled with humorous discoveries in its varied locations, some of which can only be fully uncovered with specific items or spells, creating a sense of mystery and discovery even after you've explored the entire map. The random nature of dice rolls ensures that success is not always guaranteed, requiring you to reevaluate and adapt, leading to inspired paths forward carefully crafted by the developers.

Baldur's Gate 3's success is evident in how players are drawing inspiration from it to enhance their experiences with the original D&D tabletop game. The game's handling of various aspects of D&D, such as the Guidance cantrip, short rests, and healing potions, improves the momentum of play compared to the tabletop version, offering more options in both roleplay and combat scenarios. While it may not match the reactivity and endless possibilities of a real-life Dungeon Master, Baldur's Gate 3 authentically captures the sensation of playing D&D, resulting in one of the most memorable stories in video games. Plus, you don't have to deal with the hassle of scheduling regular in-person game sessions with friends.

The game is exceptional. Larian Studios has set a new standard for what developers can achieve in a single-player RPG, and it wouldn't be surprising to see more studios attempting to replicate the success of Baldur's Gate 3 when it comes to crafting choice-driven narratives. Whether anyone, including Larian itself, can meet this standard is uncertain.

There are few RPGs where the consequences of character creation can still be felt dozens of hours into the main plot, influencing your dialogue options and choices. Beyond the main story, every aspect of the game celebrates player freedom and adapts to the choices you make. Almost all of your companions are open to forming romantic relationships with you, adding unique and emotionally satisfying storylines to your playthrough. Additionally, the combat mechanics are flexible enough to accommodate even the most unusual and unpredictable strategies.

In Our Website's review of Baldur's Gate 3, Jake Dekker articulates the game's unprecedented freedom, noting that it takes time to fully grasp the scope of this feature. He acknowledges that the multitude of choices and consequences can initially feel overwhelming, but emphasizes that the game ultimately allows players to shape their own destinies in a way unlike any other game. The game's greatest achievement lies in its consistent affirmation that the answer to the question "I wonder if I can do this..." is often a resounding "Yes, yes you can."

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of Baldur's Gate 3, I wholeheartedly agree with GameSpot's decision to award it the title of Game of the Year 2023. Larian Studios has crafted a masterpiece that seamlessly blends captivating storytelling, stunning visuals, and innovative gameplay mechanics, resulting in an immersive experience that is unmatched in the gaming industry.

The game's commitment to player choice and freedom is truly remarkable. Every decision, from character creation to dialogue options and combat strategies, has a profound impact on the narrative, leading to a sense of limitless possibilities and a deeply personal connection to the game world. The intelligent enemy AI ensures that even repeated encounters feel unique and challenging, further enhancing the sense of immersion and engagement.