20 Games Nobody Thought Could Live Up To The Hype

2. Baldur's Gate 3

Okay, there was no hint Baldur's Gate 3 was going to be anything but awesome, especially since the D&D spin-off was being helmed by Larian Studios, who oversaw the Divinity series. But at the same, Baldur's Gate had been dormant for 20+ years and mainly catered to tabletop purists, limiting its broader appeal.

Against the odds, Baldur's Gate 3 was monumentally successful. Fully voiced characters, cinematic cutscenes, and detailed environments elevated the storytelling beyond typical RPGs. Based on the sharp writing and character development, it was obvious Larian Studios spared no expense.

The game also launched in a breathtakingly polished state compared to industry norms. Combined with strong post-launch support, Baldur’s Gate 3 set a new benchmark for role-players.

With that said, the most significant feature is player agency. Nearly every choice in dialogue trees, combat approach, or exploring has meaningful consequences, so everything appears reactive. These mechanics stop the gameplay from feeling rigid and also amplifies story beats, which offers a ton of replayability.

Though previous instalments had a smaller audience, Baldur's Gate 3 was recognised worldwide, being the first title ever to win all five major awards for the Game of The Year.