In player discussions about the "Best Game of the Decade," Elden Ring and Baldur's Gate 3 have emerged as the two titles most frequently compared side by side. Released about a year and a half apart, both games consecutively won The Game Awards' Game of the Year award, yet their paths to success were quite different.
Elden Ring primarily tells its story through the world itself. The labyrinthine Stormveil Castle, the Siofra River with its starry sky, and the new areas that continuously reveal themselves during exploration constitute its signature experience. Baldur's Gate 3 features a more concentrated map, relying instead on companion dialogue, voice acting, facial performances, and turn-based interactions to keep players engaged.
The discussion also acknowledges that neither game suits every player. Some struggle to adapt to Elden Ring's high-pressure combat, while others are deterred by the slower pace of Baldur's Gate 3's turn-based animations. Elden Ring has sold over 30 million copies, helping to bring Souls-like gameplay to a broader market; however, some players believe that the mass-market anticipation for GTA VI belongs to another tier entirely.
The discussion also nominated Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which won the top prize at The Game Awards 2025, along with Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Hades II, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Cyberpunk 2077. These viewpoints are summarized from player discussions and do not represent an official ranking.