PC gaming is a completely different beast. Whether it's because PC gamers weren't given a chance to play console-exclusive releases for so long or developers just preferred to make games exclusively for desktops or both, the highest-rated games on the PC are different compared to other platforms. Case in point, the best-rated PC game ever is Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, with its exemplary Metacritic score of 97 across 11 reviews. But, it appears that Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3 is adding yet another crowning achievement to its growing list of new records set less than a month into its launch.

Baldur's Gate 3 now sits atop the list of the best-rated PC games ever, shortly after becoming the best-reviewed game of the year, leaving behemoths like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Diablo 4, and Final Fantasy 16, in their wake.

Not to be overshadowed, user scores echo a similar statement, with the game securing a 9.1 score, which is top 10 in the all-time user score table for PC titles.

What's perhaps the biggest achievement of Baldur's Gate 3 is its ability to cater to a wider audience. CRPGs suffer from the disconnect between critics and the player base, but this isn't the case with Baldur's Gate 3. Both critics and players resonate with a singular voice, applauding the masterpiece Larian Studios has crafted. But why this unanimous acclaim?

For one, the game unfolds like "an entire, years-long pen-and-paper roleplaying campaign realized in beautiful fidelity," as one review poetically puts it. This meticulous attention to detail translates to an experience that almost brings every tiny fragment of your imagination to vivid life.

Another platform, OpenCritic, further stamps BG3's supremacy with an equal score of 97/100. It's tied with Super Mario Odyssey for the title of the "greatest game ever", and the sentiment is mirrored by its astounding success on Steam. The game's concurrent player counts have outperformed many others, standing neck-to-neck with Hogwarts Legacy, which is a game that made nearly a billion at launch earlier this year and had the full backing of the Wizarding World franchise's massive fanbase.

What's more remarkable is that this masterpiece emerged from an early access period stretching almost three years. In an era where games are rushed and frequently dispatched with a plethora of bugs, Baldur's Gate 3 stands out. It's the fruit of patience, love, and a commitment to quality. As a testament to this dedication, it's unfurled almost flawlessly, setting a bar that other RPGs might find daunting to scale. Indeed, the game's developers warn against expecting such standards universally, hinting at its exceptionalism.

The heart of Baldur's Gate 3 success lies not just in its sprawling landscapes or intricate gameplay mechanics. It's the story, the non-linear character arcs, and the dazzling visuals. The game paints a refreshing tapestry that invites players into the unparalleled universe of the Baldur's Gate series. Players delve deep, lose themselves, and surface with tales of awe and wonder.

Now, as Larian Studios basks in the afterglow of this meteoric rise, it isn't resting on its laurels. Whispers speak of the release of expansions, though the studio plays coy. Given the game's trajectory, it wouldn't be audacious to anticipate that any additional content would only propel Baldur's Gate 3 further into the annals of gaming history.

With more reviews pouring in and a PlayStation 5 launch on the horizon, will this glowing reputation endure? Time, as with all narratives, will reveal the next chapter.

For now, what's abundantly clear is that Baldur's Gate 3 has become THE game to beat, and as much as the studio might deny it, it has set a new standard for which others will be measured against.

With that said, you might want to check out the 10-minute speedrun of Baldur's Gate 3.