Game NewsThe year 2023 will forever be remembered as one of the strongest years for gaming. As a matter of fact, 2023 boasts the highest number of superbly-rated games in the previous two decades. From indie titles like Pizza Tower, Dave the Diver, Dredge and Sea of Stars to the better-resourced entries like Tears of the Kingdom: The Legend of Zelda: Alan Wake 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Marvel’s Spider Man 2.
From the ginormous reception that it has received on all fronts, it would appear that Baldur’s Gate 3 is poised to take home the definitive title for Game of the Year. We’ll go over some of the best games of 2023 and find out why each of them makes a case for taking home the big one at the Game Awards on December 7th.
Games of the Year Awards
Alan Wake 2
Since the release of the first game in 2010, fans of Alan Wake have been begging Remedy Entertainment for a sequel for over 13 years until finally, the call was heeded and the game finally came out of the darkness near the end of 2023.
Alan Wake 2 continues to showcase Remedy’s strengths in graphical and environmental technology, as well as unique narrative and inventive game mechanics.
With nominees announced three weeks after its release, it only shows how strong of an impact this game had on the gaming community. And now, fans are already looking forward to a third-game, hopefully with a lesser wait time.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
In 2018, Insomniac Games’ Spider-Man game made a big splash not just for superhero games but action-adventure games in general, much like Rock steady’s Arkham series did.
Fans of Stan Lee’s iconic web-slinger were introduced to a newer but familiar version of Peter Parker’s Spider-man and a riveting narrative that really keeps us at the edge of our seats and pulls at our heartstrings.
Spider-Man 2 carries much of what made the first game in the series special, only more polished while still keeping it fun. Also joining Peter from the 2020 spin-off/sequel is Miles Morales, even despite some recent costume controversy.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Not only is Tears of the Kingdom a worthy successor to 2017’s Breath of the Wild, it is in some ways better than its predecessor. It marvelously maintains some of the magic and appeal of Breath of the Wild while adding some new material into the mix, which greatly appeases fans.
The tried-and-true blueprint of the series, which features classic elements of creativity and exploration, is universally received, as usual. Thanks to all that, it is not only the best game on the Switch this year but also a strong game of the year contender.
Resident Evil 4: Remake
Resident Evil 4 has long been regarded as the best entry in Capcom’s iconic survival-horror series and is the latest to undergo a visual makeover after RE: 2 and RE: 3 on the PS4, PS5, PC and Xbox Series X.
Since RE: 4 is hands down not just the best Resident Evil game in the series but one of the best of all time, the remake had to fill in some big shoes upon its March release this year.
Fortunately, not only was the game almost as well received as the original, it really hit the mark in spades. Not only did it keep whatever made the OG special, but it also refined the mechanics to appeal to a new generation of gamers.
The graphics are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, the controls are better in that you can parry some of the attacks, and the characters have more depth to them than the OG. Even though it’s a remake, its great reception surely deserves the nomination.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
We have another banger, the Nintendo Switch game, contending for the coveted game of the year crown in a new addition to the Super Mario Bros. franchise. Super Mario Bros. Wonder continues the 2D formula that first put the plumber’s face on the map.
It also managed to do so while introducing some new gameplay features, such as the namesake “Wonder” that give each stage a zany but engaging feel. You’ll also encounter new enemies and explore the unique Flower Kingdom’s world.
One of the most amusing but creative new Mario transformations is without a doubt, turning into an elephant. And this time, it’s not just Mario and Luigi, but Princess Peach, Princess Daisy, Toad, Yoshi and Nabbit also join in on the fun, making for a fun multiplayer experience.
Additionally, the game’s badges, which you need to unlock, further gives Wonder’s gameplay a unique spin to it. Whether solo or multiplayer, this game has something for every gamer out there.
Baldur’s Gate 3
And finally, we’ve saved this year’s best for last. After working on the critically acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin franchise, Belgian studio Larian Studios dipped their hands into Bioware’s Baldur’s Gate franchise.
Like its previous games DOS and DOS 2, BG 3 implements turn-based combat, which is actually based on the 5th Edition model of the tabletop RPG version of Dungeons & Dragons.
Despite only being released for the PC and PS5 right now, with the XSX version coming in December as of this writing, BG 3’s release gained instant global recognition, being not only a great 2023 title, but one of the best of all time.
Because it’s based on the 5th edition model of D&D, any choice you make during your gameplay can lead to varying outcomes till the end. During the 100-hour gameplay, you’ll encounter all sorts of characters with unique personalities and backstories along the way.
Even though combat is prominent throughout the game, the main focus lies in the storytelling, NPC interactions, exploration, and class-building.
Conclusion: Games of the Year Possible Winner
While these six games are worthy of their nominations, there are some notable subs that fans have taken into account. Some of those left out include Starfield, Hogwarts Legacy, Diablo 4, Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Still, that’s not to say that they don’t get an honorable mention, at least by us.
So, which of the games nominated (or those you think should have been nominated) will walk away with the elite game of the year prize at the Game Awards on December 7th? Let us know in the comments below.
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