Summary
It’s that time of year again. On December 7th, Geoff Keighley will host the 2023Game Awards, celebrating the best the year has to offer. Nominees have already been announced forThe Game Awards, and some games have excellent chances of winning considering the number of nominations they have received. Looking at the list below, it is no surprise these games are nominated in so many categories.
The buzz around most of them was big, and their releases were met with a large fanfare. With all the good press, it only makes sense for these games to be put on such a high pedestal. Gamers will have to wait until December 7th to see if they actually win, though.
Capcom’s fighting game did a lot of work to bring newcomers into the fold with the option to switch over toa simplified combo input.
Those disinterested in the competitive nature of fighting games could also jump into the World Tour Mode for a comprehensive single-player journey with exploration, cinematics, and a compelling progression system. Despite all the changes, the sixth entry remains faithful to the systems and mechanics that brought in longtime fans in the first place.
While some might decry the inclusion of a remake into these categories, anyone who played the game understands why it earned its nominations here. Even though it covers the same story beats as the 2005 title, it is rebuilt from the ground up and enacts subtle changes that make it a whole new experience for even those who are intimately familiar withResident Evil 4.
Like all greatResident Evilgames, there is a lot to keep players running through the story again like higher difficulty modes andunlockable weapons.
The changes to the formula Square took with the 16th entry piqued a lot of gamers' interest. The game was also rated M and aimed for a more mature medieval aesthetic than whimsical.
Even if someFinal Fantasydevotees were displeased by the switch to an action game with RPG elements, they still had a compelling story to follow with a stand-out performance by Ben Starr, who has since become a delightful presence on the Internet. It also did more than enough to earn its soundtrack for best score and music. The tunes are great, easily living up to the high bar set by the series.
This one is almost cheating a little bit because it’s all about thePhantom Libertyexpansion. The game’s four nominations serve as a victory lap for the 2020 title. The original release was severely undercooked, filled with bugs, and performed poorly on consoles.
A steady stream of patches and a big update that came with thePhantom Libertyrelease makes it feel like a whole new game. It is the game fans should have gotten three years ago. While it is unfortunate the game’s road was this rocky, it at least has a happy ending.
A newSuper Mario Bros.release is always a special event.Super Mario Bros. Wonderproves that the 2D formula still has a lot to offer. The unique ways players can interact and help each other online definitely earn it the multiplayer nomination. The eye-popping visuals show how great art direction can make Switch games look gorgeous despite the old hardware.
Mariogames are always a pleasant reminder of just how glorious thejoy of play can be with incredible designnot relying on a film-like narrative or microtransactions.
It is bold for Nintendo to set the sequel in the same game world asBreath of the Wild, butTears of the Kingdomproves how an old playground canreceive new life with a new set of mechanics. The physics system most of Link’s tools deal with is simply breathtaking.
On top of that, the game has a unique way of doling out its narrative that fits into the non-linear structure and evolves on what the 2017 predecessor was doing. It is like putting together a giant puzzle bit by bit, but nothing feels too confusing or out of place regardless of which piece players pick up first.
Hi-Fi Rushcame almost literally out of nowhere. Coming from Microsoft-owned Tango Gameworks, it was shadowdropped and players were immediately blown away by its art, design, and unique combat based around rhythm. Its short length also really helped people check it out with no longterm commitment.
With this many nominations and the great reception out of the gate, one can only hope it will receive a sequel or some sort of successor to expand upon its innovative concepts. It might not beEvil Within 3, but fans of the developer at least see that they can put out great products.
Most people were confident they were jumping into a great game with this sequel. Still, Insomniac put tons of effort into improving upon the solid foundation built by the last twoSpider-Mantitles. The two playable protagonists kept gmaeplay interesting, combining the best parts of the 2018 game andMiles Morales.
Miles and Peterplay just similar enough to not trip up players when switching between them but they also have their own distinct abilities. It’s a triple-A game to the highest degree with a narrative worthy of the greatest Spider-Man stories.
If there’s one game on the list that comes close to being the “everything game”, it’s this one.Baldur’s Gate 3has an answer and reaction to almost every move players make. The fact all these branching paths are met with great dialogue and performances makes the game stand out among its peers.
The multiplayer goes above and beyond with split-screen and online options. Players can travel together, take on separate quests at the same time, or just sow chaos for each other. It is hard to see the game not taking at least half of these awards home.
While Remedy games have always had their fans,Alan Wake 2feels like it broke out in a whole new way.Alan Wake 2is the perfectcombination of all the weirdness, quirks, and meta-narrative that makes the developer so special. Players need to go intoAlan Wake 2expecting the unexpected.
Even then, they can have no idea what they are in for. In an age where countless game releases are pouring out every week, being this unique and outlandish is exactly what one needs to stand out from the pack. As players, it is a stunning breath of fresh air and a reminder of everything the medium is capable of.
