Best Games of 2023: 1st Place – Baldur’s Gate 3 / ITech content

Contents:

• Behind the Scenes
• D&D is Back in Trend
• Convenient Old School
• Almost an Immersive Sim
• Fantasy Blockbuster

2023 saw the release of many remarkable games. Alan Wake 2 stands out among them – an ambitious project with a fascinating development history. Iconic series like Armored Core and Final Fantasy have returned, winning the hearts of players once again. Numerous titles have emerged that successfully combine classic elements with modern industry trends. For example, Hi-Fi Rush, which seamlessly blends a dynamic Devil May Cry-style slasher with a rhythm game. Some developers have emphasized the interactivity of their game worlds, like Tears of the Kingdom, where physics and mechanics play a key role. Others, like the creators of Phantom Liberty, have focused on visual aesthetics and a gripping story. These games showcase the diversity and creativity of modern game design, opening new horizons for players.

Baldur's Gate 3 combines many outstanding characteristics, making it not only an outstanding project but also a potential game-changer for the gaming industry. In this article, we'll take a closer look at why it deserves the title of best game of the year.

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Behind the Scenes

Summing up the year with the awarding of titles like "Film of the Year," "Game of the Year," and "Song of the Year" is, first and foremost, a show. The objectivity of such events is often questionable, as real metrics are minimally taken into account. Otherwise, the winners would be exclusively popular projects. Although the organizers strive to reflect on the events of the past 12 months, the importance of entertaining the audience remains paramount. Such ceremonies become not only a summary of the results, but also vibrant events that attract the attention of the general public.

Boredom sets in when the winner doesn't have a fascinating behind-the-scenes story. Leonardo DiCaprio won an Oscar for his role in The Revenant largely due to his long streak of losing at the awards and the difficult filming conditions, in which he suffered from the cold. Hideo Kojima's accolades for Death Stranding were also influenced by his high-profile and controversial split with Konami. These stories add depth and intrigue to victories, making them more memorable for audiences and fans.

The story of the Belgian company Larian Studios is a shining example of success in the gaming industry. Its path can be compared to the plot of Hollywood biopics that end on a positive note. Let's take a closer look at how Larian Studios reached such heights.

Larian's founders are devoted fans of classic computer RPGs like Ultima 7 and Fallout. Throughout their journey, they faced pressure from publishers who tried to divert them from their original course. Publishers claimed that creating such games would not be profitable, persuaded developers to switch to other projects, and offered unfavorable contracts. Nevertheless, Larian remained true to its ideals and continued to develop games inspired by classic RPGs, which allowed them to establish a strong market position.

Larian Studios repeatedly faced serious difficulties and was forced to make compromises. Twice, it was on the verge of closure. The first time, this occurred after refusing to share profits from the successful sales of the first Divinity. The second time, during the development of Original Sin, the studio faced a budget shortage and received loan approval from only one bank. Despite all the difficulties, Larian continued to create games that it enjoyed, which ultimately led to increased popularity and recognition in the gaming community.

In the early 2010s, thanks to the support of its fans, Larian Studios was able to divest itself of PC publishers. This freed the studio to create games closer to classic RPGs. Larian's new projects became so popular that the studio grew to become a AAA developer and released Baldur's Gate 3. This game unexpectedly reached ninth place in peak online viewership on Steam, a real surprise for the team. Studio head Swen Vincke attended the TGA ceremony in full armor, demonstrating his dedication to the genre he still adores. Larian's success is the result of years of dedication and commitment to creating quality RPGs.

D&D is Back in Trend

In the 1980s and 1990s, Dungeons & Dragons-based video games occupied a prominent place in the gaming industry. During this time, numerous games were released that not only generated significant revenue but also became classics of the genre. Projects such as Pool of Radiance, Eye of the Beholder, Baldur's Gate, and Planescape: Torment became iconic RPGs of the era. In the 2000s, role-playing games on PC and consoles faced a serious crisis, which led to a decline in developer interest in the D&D license. However, during this time, fan-favorite games such as Temple of Elemental Evil, the Icewind Dale duology, and Neverwinter Nights emerged, continuing the genre's traditions and captivating players.

By the 2010s, Dungeons & Dragons' development had slowed noticeably. The only significant project within the franchise during this time was the MMORPG Neverwinter, which, however, failed to gain widespread popularity. Meanwhile, the party-based game Sword Coast Legends proved so unpopular that its disappearance from digital stores went virtually unnoticed. These events indicate a stagnation in interest in D&D, which became noticeable against the backdrop of the emergence of new gaming projects and genres.

In the 2010s, Dungeons & Dragons regained popularity thanks to the appearance of characters playing it in such series as The Big Bang Theory and Stranger Things. The popular Critical Role channel also contributed to a resurgence of interest in the game. At the same time, the blockbuster film Honor Among Thieves, based on the Forgotten Realms, was beginning to be developed. However, it was Larian that played a key role in the revival of D&D in the gaming industry, evidenced not only by the return of the Baldur's Gate series but also by its significant contribution to the development of role-playing games.

With its unique gameplay mechanics, the studio showcased the tabletop aesthetic in a new light, standing out from other developers.

Previously, Dungeons & Dragons developers focused on elements such as dungeons, beholders, owlbears, illithids, drow, Drizzt Do'Urden, and fireballs. These iconic visuals played a key role in creating atmosphere and captivating adventures. However, dice rolls, an integral part of the original RPG, were often overlooked, revealed only through their consequences. This emphasized the importance of the game's mechanics, which, despite their hidden nature, shaped player interactions and the story's progression.

The creators of Baldur's Gate 3 made the twenty-sided die a key element of gameplay. Unlike other games, such as Disco Elysium, where dice are displayed in a small window during complex actions, in Baldur's Gate 3 the dice are displayed directly in the center of the screen during each skill check. This adds dynamism to the game, as the roll is animated, but players have the option to skip the animation to avoid wasting time waiting. This approach makes interacting with the game mechanics more engaging and visual, emphasizing the importance of each roll in the decision-making process.

Some players feel uneasy and quickly press the load button after every unsuccessful roll. However, the emphasis on the origins of a big-budget game is intriguing. The roll of a twenty-sided die creates the perfect amount of tension for the player, who is trying to guess whether their hero will succeed in subduing an impudent goblin or will be destined to kiss his ugly feet. This tension is heightened in co-op mode, where each roll of the dice generates joyful chaos and unpredictability, adding an element of exciting anticipation to the game.

One of the most memorable game mechanics of the year is the ability to create various objects from wheels and sticks in Tears of the Kingdom. This unique mechanic stands out from other game elements, offering players endless opportunities for creativity and experimentation.

Convenient Old School

When discussing gameplay in the video game world, the focus is often on competition: which studios have most effectively reimagined classic games? This primarily concerns the mainstream, which lacks the radical experiments typical of independent indie developers. It's important to note that reimagining old concepts allows for fresh ideas and improved gaming experiences, making such projects relevant and appealing to a wider audience.

Baldur's Gate 3 has no real competitors among AAA games in 2023. In recent years, the market has seen a plethora of action RPGs, slashers, horror games, and even JRPGs, but Western party-based RPGs remain in the shadows. This niche has been dominated for years by BioWare, which hasn't released a new game in the genre since Dragon Age: Inquisition in 2014. Baldur's Gate 3 offers players an engaging party-based RPG experience with intuitive controls on consoles and PC, though the inventory mechanics could be more user-friendly. The game features a clear and flexible RPG system, impressive graphics, numerous motion-captured cutscenes, and full voice acting for all dialogue. These characteristics make Baldur's Gate 3 a remarkable phenomenon among other releases.

Baldur's Gate 3 stands out for its old-school mechanics, including turn-based combat. While many Western AAA RPGs favor dynamic combat systems, this approach in Baldur's Gate 3 returns to the genre's roots, challenging players to think strategically and plan tactically in every battle. This makes the game unique among modern developments and attracts the attention of fans of classic RPGs.

Ironically, partly due to the success of the early Baldur's Gate games, by the early 2000s, publishers began to consider turn-based combat outdated. Divine Divinity, originally conceived by Larian as a turn-based game in the spirit of the early Fallout games, was converted to real-time under pressure from publishers. This opinion only intensified during the era of PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. However, the situation began to change in the 2010s with the advent of tactical games in the vein of XCOM, as well as thanks to small and mid-budget RPGs like the Divinity: Original Sin duology. These games brought back interest in turn-based combat, demonstrating its advantages and possibilities in modern gameplay.

Baldur's Gate 3 can be considered the pinnacle of the classic RPG revival. The game impresses with its visuals and accessibility, demonstrating that turn-based battles can be no less engaging than those featured in Dragon Age or Knights of the Old Republic. Furthermore, the turn-based system in Baldur's Gate 3 offers more opportunities for strategy, unlike real-time battles, which often suffered from chaos and a lack of tactical depth. In each battle, players have time to consider their actions, using magic and the characters' unique skills to achieve victory even in the most difficult situations. Baldur’s Gate 3 not only returns to the roots of the genre, but also sets new standards for future RPGs.

Almost an immersive sim

An immersive simulator has no strict definition, making its concept more philosophical than technical. It is an approach to game design that developers use when creating games, giving them unique features. This style can be observed in various projects, including Dishonored and Weird West. The latter game has been called an action version of the early Fallout parts, which highlights the diversity of interpretations of the immersive simulator. Importantly, this genre strives to create deep player interaction with the game world, allowing them to make decisions that affect the development of the plot and the environment.

Larian Studios draws inspiration from classic projects in the field of game design, which is clearly reflected in their games. Players have access to a wide range of skills that can be used in various situations, providing a wealth of tactical options. Every obstacle in the game can be overcome in multiple ways. Thanks to the many interacting systems in the game world, some logical solutions weren't even envisaged by the developers. Many of these ideas were already present in the Original Sin duology, but in Baldur's Gate 3, they have been significantly refined and improved.

In the game, almost every door can be picked, smashed, blown up, or burned. If you notice a fire, you can extinguish it with an ice beam or barrels of water. By collecting enough crates, you can climb to any floor of the building. If your character is knocked unconscious, you can revive them by throwing the right potion, as you can throw any item from your inventory. If negotiations fail and combat is looming, there's a high chance you'll be able to strike your enemy from behind during dialogue. When you're tasked with an assassination, it's usually easiest to take a more indirect approach, luring your victim to a chasm, a body of water, or lava, and then pushing them in.

Baldur's Gate 3 can be described as an immersive simulator, albeit with some caveats. It's important to note that, as a party-based RPG, the game sometimes limits player control, and the impact of turn-based combat on immersion can be questionable. However, the game mechanics provide a high level of interactivity in the game world, which has become rare in recent years, especially in such a large-scale implementation.

Fantasy Blockbuster

Since the release of Baldur's Gate 2, one of the key requirements for Western RPGs has been an epic and complex story. Larian delivers on this promise: the game begins with the question "How do I get rid of this parasite in my head?" and gradually escalates into grand conflicts with the gods and the salvation of the world. This plot twist creates a deep connection to games like Cyberpunk 2077 and keeps players engaged, promising a gripping adventure throughout the gameplay.

The main quest of Baldur's Gate is nothing special: it's simply a pleasant story without much depth. However, the game truly stands out thanks to its many engaging little storylines and diverse, vibrant characters. Each character adds their own unique personality and enriches the overall narrative, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. These elements make Baldur's Gate not just a game but a true adventure, full of unexpected twists and interesting interactions.

The game's first act creates a deep immersion into the world, filling it with a variety of content. Secrets and unusual characters await the player at every turn. For example, in a dungeon, you can discover a hidden passage that leads to a settlement of fishmen who sacrifice to their fearsome god. Dialogues with this naive yet cruel people are filled with irony and humor. Meanwhile, if you take a different turn in the same location, the player finds themselves in the witch's house, where they face a moral dilemma with no obvious correct solution. This contrast between lightheartedness and seriousness makes the game experience unique and captivating.

The cast of characters you'll travel with is one of the most diverse in the history of the genre. They are multifaceted, each with unique traits and memorable quirks. Each character has their own secrets and problems that constantly impact the protagonist. Importantly, all characters are voiced to a high standard, making them even more realistic. It's a shame that awards shows often only highlight Astarion's voice actor, ignoring the talent of the entire main cast.

Baldur's Gate 3 has many strengths, which has captured the attention of the hardcore gaming community since its release. Repeating this success will be extremely difficult, as few studios have the resources, experience, and creative freedom to create an RPG of such a high standard. However, Larian's triumph could help increase interest in the genre. Journalists have already begun searching for "the next Baldur's Gate 3" in upcoming releases, underscoring the significance of this game's success in the context of the development of role-playing games.

There is a possibility that we will see sequels to the cult games Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights in the coming years. It is also possible that BioWare will transform Dragon Age: Dreadwolf into a large-scale turn-based strategy game. In Eastern Europe, they may resume development of the Vseslav the Sorcerer project, which also gives hope to fans of stories from Slavic mythology.