The Game Awards 2023 streamed live on most gaming-related platforms, including Twitch, on December 7, 2023. The Game Awards represent the highest order, the holy grail of laurels in the videogame industry. The awards celebrate the best games of the year across various categories and commemorate performances by artists and the team.
It is only natural for the gold standard of video games to make it to the GotY nominees, which the jury decides. The nominees for this year include some generational titles: Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Resident Evil 4.
Apart from the nominees mentioned above, some titles were released in 2023 and did not feature in the nominees, but they are still terrific video games. These are our top 5 picks for titles that deserve at least one playthrough if one enjoys experiencing the art form of video games.
Number 5: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was the sequel to 2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. The Star Wars Jedi franchise assumes that one is aware of the force, the ways of the Jedi, and everything else in between.
While lore bits of the Star Wars universe are not strictly necessary to have a good time with the title, knowledge about them improves the experience. Survivor builds upon its predecessor and is a direct sequel to it. Respawn and the team have tried to ensure a grander offering for returning Jedis.
Cal returns for a new adventure in the title. As seen in the last game, Cal continues his battle against the empire. The game builds upon and expands upon most elements featured in its predecessor. While it didn’t make it to the Game of the Year Nominees at 2023’s The Game Awards, it is a must-play for anyone who enjoyed the previous title or loved Star Wars.
Number 4: Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon is a game focused on combat with human-controlled machinery known as Armored Cores. The game features some of the most in-depth customization options in the series.
The title has many options to create the Armored Core one wants, with the ability to utilize build codes obtained from defeated enemies. Developed by FromSoftware, the game also has the typical FromSoftware difficulty curve, making it easy to learn but challenging to master.
The game offers fluid traversal options as well as combat. Like other FromSoftware titles, the game heavily focuses on story mode and narrative building while offering a rewarding and competitive multiplayer mode. Despite being unable to secure a spot in the Game of the Year nominees at the 2023’s The Game Awards, the game should be tried if you love FromSoftware’s titles or are looking for high-octane action.
Number 3: Jusant
By the developers of the hit series Life is Strange, Don’t Nod comes Jusant. The title is one of the most offbeat and unconventional games released in 2023. The game itself falls in the puzzle-platformer genre. Apart from the refined and polished game mechanics, the game is incredibly serene to play and experience.
In the game, you play through an exciting adventure by attempting to climb up a tower using various climbing tools. What makes the game unique is how simple yet gorgeous it looks, thanks to Unreal Engine 5. The vegetation, platforms, and the game’s overall art style are a visual delight.
While the game admittedly looks simple enough, and it is in some parts, it does require one to strategize. For example, there are elements of realism, like a stamina meter while climbing. The entire journey isn’t undertaken alone as an adorable companion; Ballast accompanies the player. While not being nominated in the Game of the Year category at the 2023 The Game Awards is a must-try, especially if one wants to relieve stress.
Number 2: Amnesia: The Bunker
Amnesia: The Bunker is the latest entry in the long-running Amnesia series. As the title suggests, the entire game takes place inside a bunker from the time of World War 1. Gamers who enjoy bone-chilling horror titles mixed with survival should feel right at home with the entry.
The makers of The Bunker and Frictional games have a particular flair for executing survival horror titles with panache. This is put on display by their other works like SOMA and Penumbra.
While plenty of other Amnesia games were released earlier, The Bunker is not a direct sequel, and its story does not tie into any of the other games in the series. Like most survival horror games, one’s chances of retaliation being successful are abysmally low due to limited firepower.
The only medium of offense that one can inflict upon the various foes present in the game is the dusty, old revolver. The game received generally positive reviews. It is not a part of the star-studded Game of the Year nominees at The Game Awards in 2023, but it should be given a chance.
Number 1: Diablo 4
Diablo is one of the most famous titles by Blizzard. Entertainment. The dungeon-crawling Role-playing game has been relevant for more than two decades now. Diablo 4 takes the grotesque setting of the franchise to another level. The game takes place in the fantasy world of Sanctuary, just like the other titles in the Diablo franchise.
The gameplay was called “grindy” by the franchise’s fans, as the player’s sole purpose is to obtain better gear and weapons by defeating stronger enemies. It was criticized that one had to spend a higher end of double-digit hours and sometimes even triple digits to reach the highest level ingame.
This was the case before the developers released a new roadmap, making it a tad easier for players to reach the topmost level. This also helped with player base retention. Since the dungeons in the title are procedurally generated, the game’s replayability is terrific. The game was a critical and commercial success. While it isn’t anywhere to be found in the Game of The Year nominees for The Game Awards 2023, with the new roadmap, the game has become much more enjoyable.
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