The Golden Joysticks is a pretty big award show, and its list of winners for 2023 indicates a heavy favorite heading into the larger GOTY season. Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 won the show’s “Ultimate GOTY” award, along with six other categories. Other winners include Final Fantasy XIV, Starfield, Tears of the Kingdom, Alan Wake 2, and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. Critics love Alan Wake 2, and it seems like it is probably the main contender going up against Baldur’s Gate 3 for GOTY. And yet, it is very, very hard not to see Baldur’s Gate 3 winning, given its sweep at the Golden Joystick Awards.
The Golden Joystick’s past picks include Elden Ring in 2022, Resident Evil Village in 2021, and The Last of Us Part II in 2020. I will reveal my own pick in a bit, but yes, I do expect Baldur’s Gate 3 to take the grand prize at least at the Game Awards, likely topping many other lists too.
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I’ve been writing about video games, television, and movies for Forbes for over 10 years, and you may have seen my reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic. I cover all manner of console and PC games, but if it’s about looting or shooting, I’m definitely there. If I’m watching something, it’s usually science fiction, horror, or superheroic. I’m also a regular on IGN’s Fireteam Chat podcast and have published five sci-fi novels.
