As Work On Xbox Version Continues, Baldur's Gate 3 Is Now The Highest-Rated Game Of 2023

Based on 14 critics reviews vs Zelda’s 145 and FF16 140 reviews. I’m sure this game is amazing - definitely looks very good. But let’s wait to see until it gets more reviews.

it's since wracked up over 65,000 "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews

@FraserG just a quick FYI, that's not how Steam user reviews work. It has over 65,000 reviews, 95% of which recommend the game, which currently gives it a rating of Overwhelmingly Positive. It doesn't mean that 65,000+ people have all individually rated it as Overwhelmingly Positive (as it's been worded in the article) as you can't assign specific ratings to Steam reviews; just positive or negative.

I’ll definitely play this when it comes but not really a fan of CRPGs on consoles. Maybe this one will change my mind. In any case, Starfield (and plenty of other games) will more than tide me over until the Xbox release.

I hope when it arrives over on Xbox people give Larian a chance and enjoy it.

@emj2010 that is true.
On Opencritic it has 26 reviews so far and it's scoring 95, one point lower than Zelda, with 96 and 144.

That's a spectacular score nonetheless.

I doubt Xbox are happy that it’s hitting their consoles next year behind everyone else, when the hype will have diminished somewhat. It’s their own fault though with their stupid policy.

Has the Series X version been delayed as well, or just the Series S version? If the XSX has been delayed I was gonna get it on PS5 instead…then I realised it releases around the same time as Starfield and I’ll be too busy playing that anyway! Maybe that’s why the Xbox version has been delayed, cos it clashes with Starfield? I know they said it was because of “technical reasons”, but it seems a bit of a coincidence 🤔

I haven't played the first two so I'm not in any rush for it to come out anyway.

@Nightcrawler71 yes series X version is delayed due to Microsoft parity clause. They didn’t say ‘technical reasons’. for a change a developer was pretty open at what was causing them issues. Was nice to see a bit of open communication than ‘delayed’ with no reason.

But with the score it is getting you can understand Larian wanting it released right.

@Fenbops doesn’t matter to me, these types of games are better on pc

Would never play this on anything but PC and I never would have put playing this over Starfield so this doesn’t effect me at all. Still sucks for Xbox gamers that were looking forward to it. MS should really adjust that parity clause they have in case something like this pops up again.

I'm actually glad it isn't coming the same week as Starfield, both since I'm playing Starfield anyway and because Baldur's Gate can get 2 bites at the apple. I think releasing against it would have drowned it out on xbox, while this way it'll have multiple times to shine.

A win/win if you ask me.

@Moonglow Splitscreen is indeed in the PC version. Not sure where you got that inaccurate information from. It is even front and center on their website.

Cutting it from Xbox would result in Xbox being the only platform without it. And again, one more reason to chide Xbox. The S SKU needs to be replaced by a disc less X SKU. This is one of the things Sony actually got right this gen.

I for one play these games exclusively in coop and make weekly use of splitscreen. Even on PC.

You cant really compare the Metacritic to Zelda (for example) as one has over 140 reviews and the other 14.

While I am sure Baldur's Gate 3 is a truly exceptional game, we should wait until all the relevant information is in, before comparing

I can't place what it is about this game. I rate BG1 and BG2 among my favorite games of all time. We haven't seen a new D&D game in ages. The internet/marketing machine is crazy hyped about it. I should be mega-hyped about this. But somehow nothing is exciting me at all about this game. I don't know why it's not even really piquing my interest much. By all rights it should be my most anticipated game of the decade.

@Hexamex-Tex that’s great for you but this is currently the most preordered game on PS5. That’s a fact, so a lot are waiting for a console release and sadly it’s only releasing on the competition. Xbox self harm in full motion.

@Moonglow You may not agree and that’s fine but it’s a fact that it’ll be out on PS5 next month and not Xbox. I do not believe Larian are lazy, they’ve ran into an issue with the Series S version and now it’s delayed on every xbox platform until 2024. I believe an X version is good and ready to go just like the PS5’s but with Xbox’s lovely parity rule they can’t release it. Good times.

@Fenbops Larian are kinda stuck in a no win.

Release without split screen = Xbox players complaining that they have inferior version.

Release with it but it’s buggy = Larian bad devs gave us unfinished game and so on.

When a game is rating at 95ish I think it’s clear it’s a good game and one they are proud of so they should release it when ready in a full complete state.

@NEStalgia maybe because all of the articles are not about the game but about having sex with animals. That is why it's a huge pass for me. It could be the best game ever - but the marketing, and the people it appealed to, has annoyed me so much it soured me.

@PsBoxSwitchOwner it’s not Larians fault imo. Just like I said in my last post I believe they could have released on X simultaneously with PS5, but Xbox restricts that. So here we are.

@Cashews furrys 😂😂

Larians marketing team are genius… they pushed this early to release before Starfield then away from Xbox on a technicality. Then to a hyped and frankly underserved PS community and finally to Xbox in 2024 so we’re are hyped and desperate- genius

@RazputinAquato absolutely agree. And I’m sure it’ll stay in that range either way. It’s just when I see all these post online and on X, people need to remember seeing things in context. But yeah ofc this seems based on just these few reviews that it would also be in the high 90s with similar review numbers to Zelda. Am myself closed to buy it, but dunno how it’ll be on Steam Deck still.

@Cashews Yeah, you probably are right. Like with FFXVI I really just get turned off by the toxic fans more than the game itself. It's not so toxic with bg3 but just seems like it's popular because of gtav like lowest common denominator reasons rather than because derrrrr D&D. I've seen lots of "AAA budget" and "bearly legal" talk and not a single 2d10 or THAC0 article. And yes I know THAC0 has been dead since the version 3 rules, but it's baldurs gate.

Edit: And yeah "social marketing" like the bear thing turns me off almost any product. It's just sleeze whether it works or not.

they should just release on xbox xbox series X/S with out split screen and patch it in later when it works on both

series s will kill the xbox brand.

@emj2010 I, for one, am happy that the Xbox version was delayed until 2024, so that I can play Starfield first and then have another fenomenal RPG to play later!
I just hope there is a nice gap between BG3 and Avowed as well!

@J_Mo_Money same here, also a lot of the bugs will have been patched by the time it comes out on Xbox.

@Moonglow You know what also isn't mentioned on the BG3 website? Any reference to an Xbox version. Why? Because it hasn't been officially announced yet. You can't delay a game that hasn't even been formally announced yet.
Larian have done nothing wrong, they have simply made a PC game and then looked into what other systems they could port it to. PS5 was clearly an easier port that they were able to do quicker as they only have one set of spec to work towards. There hasn't been any mention of a Switch version but that doesn't mean that they haven't looked into it, or are actively working on a port.
It's MS that have added an additional hurdle for developing for Xbox by having two sets of spec to meet and demanding feature parity across those two sets of spec.
We don't even know if this is something that hasn't happened before, part of the reason Starfield was delayed for a year could have been due to them having problems with the Series S. MS or Bethesda aren't exactly likely to come out and say it was but that doesn't mean that it wasn't a reason. There's plenty that goes on behind the scenes that we're completely unaware of.

@Fenbops well it's there own fault that they think all of us are idiots. I could have accepted it if they came out and said Sony has got timed exclusivity. I could be wrong but words from articles or people alike wouldn't be enough proof for me. I'm pretty sure that's exactly what's happening Sony needed a answer to Starfield and paid another 3rd party dev to achieve it. It's Steam Deck verified now and with split screen play. So basically they are saying the S is now on par with the Switch. The same EXACT devs that said the S is not holding the industry back it just takes a little extra time to optimize it. I don't consider split screen play optimization. No way that's anymore a difficult feat on the S than it is the XBSX, PS5 or the Steam Deck. I believe the date says September 2nd now on my PS5 I'll have to double check. Normally this wouldn't bother me at all I just don't think we are getting the whole story and that I don't appreciate. Especially when Larian is being applauded for transparency.

@Fragslayer That isn't strictly true, it is steam deck verified but not with split screen co-op enabled. In order to play split screen you need to trick it into thinking you're not playing on steam deck, and reports from those that have tried it suggest there's a reason it's disabled on the verified version.

@Fragslayer the release is the 6th but if you preorder you get 72 hour early access.

I do not believe Sony paid them off, it’s just an absolute gift that has fell in their favour thanks to Xbox splitting their base and the game being ridiculously popular. This will happen more in the future if they don’t change their policy I feel.

To clarify I do not have a problem with the S, it has its place, but if that version isn’t ready and the X version is, a Dev should be able to release one and then the other at a later date. Especially a third party Dev. If Xbox want to carry on losing money on games like this then so be it.

@Fenbops I agree, I'm sure Microsoft's lawyers would be all over them if there was any hint that they were lying about the Series S causing and issue and Sony had just paid them off. They just wouldn't stand for it.

@RazputinAquato yeah same although I would prefer BG3 on a handheld I think. But currently have plenty of games to play - and also I have divinity Sin 2 on my steam deck, which I’ll play more before also will see if BG3 really is for me.

This is always an option! 😉

https://www.xfire.com/gamestop-trade-xbox-series-x-for-playstation-5/

@AlwaysPlaying I think delaying BG3 for Xbox until next year is good thing. Starfield might overshadowed BG3 if it we're to be released alongside. And with less than a month left, PC gamers who are playing BG3 might already finished the game and they will shift their focus on starfield next.

Definitely thinking about picking this up on ps5 despite me not having any interest init up untill it's great reviews

Yeah a handful of reviews is not the same as over 100, lol. Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather be playing BG3 rather than any of the others, regardless of score.

They should definitely delay it, there is Starfield for September and Forza Motorsport for October.
If you have Gamepass there are also these games coming day one in those same 2 months.
Lies of P
Payday 3
Cities Skylines 2
Party Animals
The Lamplighters League

@Kaloudz Everyone is different of course, but the very essense of D&D is playing together in the same room. For myself and my wife, playing this couch co op for 100s of hours is a dream come true. I can see that if I were a series S owner deprived of the option, I would be unhappy about it.
Fortunately, the game is only delayed and, I have no doubt they will get it to work. With Starfield arriving soon, theres plenty to keep xbox users enertained while they wait.
For me it means that if Starfield arrives in poor state (please god, I hope not), I have something else I can sink my time into whilst I wait for patches

A game I will need to buy on PS5 because I don't want to wait several months and I don't have a high end gaming PC. Disapointed MS has such strict parity rules.

If there is a disctint power diffrence (Which there is) the parity rules should be looser so those who choose to pay the extra £/$200 for the XSX don't have to resort to buying 3rd party games on PS5.

Hopefully Starfield will be a 10/10 game to make it up to those who only play on Xbox. Those players deserve much better than what MS has offered to date in this gen.

Xbox had a GOTY candidate exclusive launching in Sept, and by their own actions, handed Playstation a GOTY candidate timed exclusive to compete. This brand is snake bitten.

@NEStalgia slandered gaming is one of my favorite youtubers and his feelings on DOS2 are very similar to my own. It's a very good game, but doesnt belong anywhere near any all time lists. The gameplay is great, but the game falls apart after the first act. Plus, Larians writing is just not great. He was going into the game with very little hype.
Well, he posted a video saying after 30 hours, so far BG3 is the best video game he's ever played. MS really f'd up here. This is looking like an all timer.

@Kaloudz no one else is talking about this, but I believe MS is also forcing feature parity between Xbox and Playstation. I have believed this from the beginning, and there were recent comments out of Larian that reinforce that belief (id have to find them). I believe Swen's early comments about split screen being essential were total *****. We know for a fact Larian is willing to drop split screen from their games of this genre for systems not powerful enough to run it. So yes the obvious answer is to then drop split screen from the X, problem solved. I've seen absolutely no one other than me talking about this.

Heres the quote. People just assume this is talking about series S. I think they are reading the situation wrong. Look at this through the lens of removing the feature altogether. I wish someone would ask Larian the right question.

The issue is a technical hurdle. We cannot remove the split-screen feature because we are obliged to launch with feature parity, and so continue to try and make it work.”

@Jenkinss That's surprising. Something just hasn't clicked in the marketing for me at all, but that's without having played it.

Though I don't think MS did anything wrong. They designed their platform around the different build targets and required series S. It's unfortunate but it's just a case where Larian did that great sin most PC devs do and build to maximum fx and then try and fail to make it work on lower hardware badly. Heck that's classic Todd design right there. It's bad luck for Microsoft but it's Larians fault.

@NEStalgia I don't believe this is Larian's fault at all, I think this is MS's fault top to bottom, but as I said in my reply to Kaloudz no one has acknowledged this one way or the other but I believe MS is forcing parity with Playstation on a feature level when available. So whether you blame MS for putting out a 'next gen' system with 10GB shared memory, or for forcing parity between S and X, or for forcing parity with Playstation (unconfirmed, but I would bet on it), either way this is on them 2 or 3 times over. Swen said split screen is a must a few months ago, we know this is BS because they've since said they can't drop it due to a parity clause (see my above post with the quote), and we know Larian was happy to drop split screen from DOS2 for an underpowered console with no problem, so we know it's in no way a must.

This issue has nothing to do with XSS's underpowered graphics chip, it's the lack of memory, which from the day of it's reveal Digital Foundry said was going to be a big issue for the generation, and here we are. The only answer was to drop split screen from both Xbox consoles or give Playstation a GOTY timed exclusive, and Xbox chose the latter, which is baffling to me. They are that afraid of a "Playstation do what Xbox don't" over... split screen. A feature they happily dropped from their flagship title, they have the metrics and know no one uses it anymore.

@Jenkinss The bottom line is Larian made a game that either didn't take into account lower speced Xboxes, or didn't take into account lower speced PCs. Sadly not uncommon, I remember Obsidian's Neverwinter 2 chugging as a slideshow on a not even bad PC of mine at one point. Whether MS is right or wrong enforcing feature parity is going to be up to opinion, but personally I think they really have to. However they also assumed games wouldn't just release on PS and not Xbox, because they likely assumed Xbox would have sold a lot better relative to PS at this point making that unlikely.

Yeah, the result isn't great (though I still can't believe BG3 is being so heralded since as a die-hard BG fan it hasn't managed to even get me looking for sales on it yet. Still not sure why I'm not hyped, I'm just not. )

@NEStalgia Regarding your bottom line: Larian made DOS2 without the lower speced Nintendo Switch in mind, and yet DOS2 is available on the Nintendo Switch, without split screen.

I'll leave you with this 9 minute video from slandered gaming, I think it's well worth a watch to see how someone who has owned an Xbox in the past and definitely likes Xbox but is very much primarily a PC gamer, views this issue. He's extremely fair, but you can see the optics of this from outside the "xbox community." I also highly recommend the entire FPS podcast interview with Swen if you're invested in this subject but it's 30 minutes long. I am a massive fan of Baldur's gate 1&2 and a massive fan of Xbox, and to a much lesser extent a fan of Larian so I've been all over this.

TLDR I very highly recommend this if you have 9 minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_Lo6EHkwLQ

@Jenkinss Yeah, I get your point, and I get that there's more than one way to look at it. I see Switch as very much a different situation since there's simply different expectations for it as a famously low power machine that always gets "lesser" versions, is handheld-first etc. You're not wrong at all, yet I also just disagree and thing MS isn't wrong expecting PS parity since they're in direct competition with PS while Switch isn't a head to head competitor as PS/MS are. I mean, you're right, it's a catch-22 of having XSS/XSX parity as well as PS5 parity, but I also understand why it kind of has to be that way, and ultimately still think devs are responsible for meeting that ,which wouldn't be a problem had Xbox actually been a much greater success this gen. It's that WiiU scenario that there's not enough market to justify focusing on it. I also think from MS's perspective, it's not just about the consoles but also about influencing/forcing devs to take more advantage of MS dev tools and methods, and too often they're just not willing to, but I understand why MS is using the platform to force those tools, because the tools are their real product.

But yeah, I think I said before but BG1&2 are among my top 10/top 20 favorite all time games, and also love all the Black Isle/Obsidian D&D games overall, but have never gelled with Larian, so I'm in a similar place. Larian's marketing still turns me off, I'm sure the game is better than the marketing but it's hard to get past the irritation. I think if this were Obsidian making BG3, or even EA's Bioware remnant I'd have been more edge of my seat hyped.

I'll give that a watch later on

@NEStalgia Only semi on topic here as this conversation comes to a close, Baldur's Gate 2 was my favorite CRPG of all time (I started with Shattered Lands, fav prior to BG2 was Ultima VII) and it held that spot for decades until Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous came along - if you haven't played it yet, I can't recommend it highly enough whether it's on PC or Xbox. Unlike Kingmaker, the Xbox port is fantastic. It's a must play. Every time the best RPG list of Xbox gets posted on this website, and it's full of nonsense games that aren't even RPGs, and what I consider the greatest CRPG of all time is absent, I get a little angrier at the editors.

Up until now, I consider Larian's games to be second to none in combat systems, but their writing is just... not there, it's juvenile and forgettable. And writing is why I play this genre, otherwise I can just go play XCOM. That's why I wouldn't put DOS2 (their best, by far) anywhere near my top 5 CRPGs. So I might be with you on Larian, even if it's for different reasons. But from what I'm hearing, BG3 might be a different beast. I'm sure we'll both know, eventually.

@Jenkinss I've honestly never heard of that game, or it's developer. I'll have to look into it!

Yeah that's the thing. Combat matters in a CRPG obviously, but, in a D&D game, the rules are already worked out, so there's actually little design the designers do to it, in fact, they can't. That's why Bioware created Dragon Age, to make an Infinity Engine game that wasn't tied to D&D's oppressive rules being enforced by them. So the writing and world matter greatly, and I got bored with all Larian's games rapidly. It's also why I love Obsidian and old Fallout better than Bethesda Fallout. Tim Cain just is that series!