After 9 years of action games winning The Game Awards finally, a turn-based RPG takes the crown as this year’s Game of the Year. RPGs of recent years have slowly been transitioning to an action combat format. Even massive franchises like Final Fantasy, with a pedigree of over 20 turn-based games have slowly been adapting the action combat formula. Because of this, the viability of turn-based combat has been called into question in recent years. And as if to prove the notion wrong, Larian Studios released Baldur’s Gate 3 with an overwhelming success. Solidifying that the turn-based genre is alive and well.
Released on the 3rd of August, 2023, Baldur’s Gate 3 started a revolution in the gaming industry. The game went on to receive overwhelming praise from fans and critics alike. Resulting in being nominated for this year’s The Game Awards. Receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews on PCs, Xbox, and PlayStation, the game has earned its right to be a standout title in the event.
The Game Awards 2023
The Game Awards kicked off by giving awards to a myriad of smaller categories. In between the awarding were teasers to upcoming games. One notable game that we are particularly excited for is Persona 3: Reload. Fast forward to the main event, Baldur’s Gate 3 went head to head against some of this year’s video game juggernauts. Namely Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros Wonder, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Resident Evil 4, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.
The game proceeded to win not 1, not 2, but 6 awards. Bagging the highest number of awards given in the event, which should be an award of its own. Winning Best Role-Playing Game, Player’s Voice Award, Best Multiplayer Game, Best Performance, Best Community Support, as well as taking the crown for this year’s Game of the Year. I can see the game winning all these awards except for the Best Multiplayer Game. Which is unheard of for turn-based RPGs. This is why Baldur’s Gate 3 is such an anomaly as well as a masterpiece.
