The 4 Likely 2023 Game of the Year Candidates
Let's take a look at some of the standouts
We’re halfway into 2023, and we’ve seen countless games make their mark. Let's take a look at the likely GOTY nominees.
It’s an understatement to say it’s been a good year for video games. After all, there have been many big-name releases this year, and many of them exceeded expectations. It’s safe to say pundits will have a lot of thinking to do in deciding which game deserves to be called the game of the year. So yes, IGN, GameSpot, Destructoid, and SkillUp will have their hands full, while the annual Game Awards show will undoubtedly have a lot of fireworks.
Let’s take a look at some of the most likely candidates:
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Creating a video game series can be challenging, especially when the previous installments are highly-acclaimed. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is considered one of the best games ever made, and following it up with an equally good sequel is a monumental task.
Scoring a 96 on Metacritic, obtaining countless perfect scores from pundits, and hailed as another masterpiece, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a sure nominee. Not only did it live up to the high standards Breath of the Wild set, but it also exceeded them.
Without diving deep into spoilers, it’s the sequel to Link and Zelda’s adventure in Hyrule, where they face another world-changing calamity. The game emphasizes freedom and creativity - players have had a field day merging and creating contraptions from the massive selection of items available. Plus, the game’s physics are nothing short of sublime, making the 100+ hours of adventure in Hyrule worth it.
Resident Evil 4
This year’s Resident Evil 4 is a remake of the genre-defining 2004 game. You’re again placed in the shoes of Leon Kennedy, tasked to save the president’s daughter from being kidnapped by a mysterious cult in remote Spain.
Highly rated and gaining numerous 10/10 scores across various gaming publishing sites, RE4 is as impressive as the original game. It delivers a modernized experience with overhauled visuals, environments, and many other changes. Without foraying too far into spoiler territory, Ashley is less useless, no longer annoying, and acts more her age, while the ganados are a tad more terrifying.
Final Fantasy XVI
Finally, Fantasy XVI is here, though it’s only on the PlayStation 5 (for now). It’s the newest mainline entry to the long-standing RPG franchise. Set in an all-new world with tons of lore to bite into, you’ll play as Clive Rosfield, the first-born prince of the Duchy of Rosaria. You’ll be treated to a tale of revenge, magical beasts, and war while enjoying the game’s highly acclaimed combat system.
Diablo IV
You can’t mention “2023” and “video games” without Diablo IV, the newest mainline game in the series. Scoring a respectable 87 on Metacritic and garnering acclaim from pundits, it is set in the events after the preceding game with a new central character called Lillith. The player-character’s role is to pursue her and battle hordes of enemies using a robust combat system. And yes, the class system returns, and you’ll be in for a treat.
Upcoming games to watch out for
Though we’ll surely see these games as nominees, five months and countless games remain. Some games that could barge in are:
- Starfield (Bethesda)
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage (Ubisoft)
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (Insomniac)