With Baldur's Gate 3, Final Fantasy 16, and Starfield, 2023 might be one of the best RPG years in ages

I was awake at 4AM this morning. I had work to do and a bag to pack, but it was Baldur's Gate 3 that keeping me up. Eyes hurting, slouched back and mid-yawn, I couldn't help but shake the idea that 2023 may very well be the best year for RPGs in ages. Not because Baldur's Gate 3 is an industry-shattering epic, but because regardless of what kind of RPG you fancy, there's a juggernaut release for you this year.For me, CRPGs and narrative rollercoasters have always been king. I love the intricacies spread throughout Baldur's Gate 3, I love that it rewards me for being a smart tactician, a sliver-tongued devil and a dedicated investigator. These types of games shine through the freedom they give you, and through acknowledging your own weird (often imperfect) decisions. Baldur's Gate 3 lets me be an evil dickhead, and not only are the results rewarding, but your colourful companions don't gawk at you. In fact, some of them are super down to clown with the morally dubious.It's the perfect water cooler game for super nerds. But maybe that's not for you! Up comes Starfield, a game that likely has greater mainstream appeal, and part of a sub-genre of RPGs that tickles a whole separate part of your brain. Some people don't want to be drowned in dialogue, skill checks, and all the jazz. Some people want to explore a vast world – and Starfield looks like it's going to give you that in spades. Read more