Baldur's Gate 3 Wins Game of the Year at the Game Awards

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Baldur’s Gate 3 winning Game of the Year prompts widespread praise for its depth, production values, DRM-free availability, lack of microtransactions, and the way it modernizes classic CRPG design, with many calling 2023 an exceptionally strong year for RPGs overall. At the same time, commenters highlight significant criticisms: a clunky final act, pervasive bugs at launch, polarizing turn-based 5e combat, heavy sexualization and romance design, confusing UX, and questions over whether it truly honors the Baldur’s Gate legacy or feels more like Divinity with a new skin. The thread also touches on platform support (Linux, macOS, Steam Deck), Larian’s rise as a studio, and how BG3 raises expectations for narrative and systemic richness in future big-budget games.

Overall Reception and Awards

  • Many consider BG3 a masterpiece and a deserving Game of the Year, praising its scope, polish, writing, and lack of exploitative monetization (no loot boxes, microtransactions, or DRM; available DRM-free on GOG).
  • Others think it’s “just” very good (e.g., 8/10) and view its elevation to masterpiece as a sign of how weak much of the industry is.

Gameplay, Combat, and Systems

  • Strong praise for the tactical depth, turn-based adaptation of D&D 5e, and creative problem-solving with items and the environment.
  • Significant pushback from players who find turn-based combat slow, tedious, and unfit for AAA; some bounced off within an hour.
  • Some feel D&D 5e is mechanically shallow and that Divinity: Original Sin 2 had superior systems; others argue BG3’s combat is easy if you use all available tools.
  • Debate over “save scumming”: some see it as necessary due to punishing rolls; others argue failed rolls are part of the narrative and that insisting on perfect outcomes is a player choice.

Story, Tone, and Romance

  • Many praise the storytelling, character moments, and reactivity; some highlight romance arcs as especially satisfying and see the game as an outstanding single-player narrative experience.
  • Others dislike the campy/“Reddit-style” humor, bathroom/sex jokes, and feel the tone undermines a serious fantasy setting.
  • Companions’ early over-eagerness to romance the player was widely criticized; posters note this was partly a launch bug later patched, but some still find the game overly horny or awkward.
  • Disagreement over authenticity of inclusive romance options; some find it modern and fun, others feel it breaks immersion.

Acts, Structure, and Pacing

  • Act 1 is widely regarded as the strongest: dense, reactive, and memorable.
  • Several feel Act 2 offers limited branching and Act 3 becomes a chore of checklist objectives, with underdeveloped side arcs and a messy, overstuffed plot.
  • Some players feel overwhelmed or directionless, describing progress as slow and stakes unclear.

Technical Quality, Platforms, and DRM

  • Experiences vary: some report few bugs for a game of this complexity; others call it buggy and “still in beta,” citing frequent hotfixes and performance issues (especially in Act 3).
  • Runs well on Steam Deck and Linux via Proton; no official native Linux build. Mac version exists but not on all stores.
  • LAN support and lack of invasive DRM are praised.

Comparisons and Industry Context

  • Frequent comparisons with Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, Divinity: Original Sin 2, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, and classic BG1/2.
  • Some long-time BG2 fans feel BG3 is “Divinity in Forgotten Realms” and not a true sequel; others are delighted with Larian’s reinterpretation and see it as a new high bar for CRPGs.
  • Thread notes 2023 as an exceptionally strong year for games overall, with long lists of notable titles.