2023 can be considered the first uninterrupted year post-COVID-19. Video game releases were around every corner this year, which at many times, were difficult to keep up with. NextPlay reviewed 44 games this year, and despite a massive rebrand in May, the ball kept rolling.
The NextPlay Game Awards’ awards are selected by the writers at NextPlay. The team at NextPlay have split hairs to decide the recipients of these awards following a mammoth year in video game releases. While not all award recipients were reviewed on our site, we still played and enjoyed the games in our own time.
This article will be updated daily as more awards are announced, with the prestigious Aussie Game of the Year and Indie Game of the Year being announced on December 30th and Game of the Year being announced on December 31st, 2023. Please join us in celebrating not only these games but the game development community as a whole, who have worked so hard this year through some troubled times in the form of layoffs and restructuring of companies.
Best Action/Adventure Game
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Nintendo
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom took over the gaming community upon release, just as its predecessor did. A captivating journey in Hyrule that felt familiar but was far from it. Link’s new abilities, plus the three maps to explore, allowed for dozens upon dozens of hours of engagement.
Best Horror Game
Alan Wake II
Remedy Entertainment
Remedy Entertainment’s Alan Wake II may just be one of the best horror games of all time. The storytelling and unique game direction sent players on an enigmatic loop. Alan Wake II never opted for cheap jump scares but relied on the masterfully crafted tension to horrify its players.
Best RPG
Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian Studios
“Baldur’s Gate 3 is magnificent and will become the new standard for the RPG genre and what it can provide players. It delivers a fantastic main narrative, an incredible cast of loveable characters, a nuanced number of choices and side quests, alongside a satisfying/challenging combat system, with a brilliant soundtrack and sleek visuals.”
READ: Baldur’s Gate 3 Review — A Critical Success
Best Fighting Game
Street Fighter 6
Capcom
Street Fighter 6 is an extremely polished fighter with an ease of accessibility for new players compared to other fighting games while still remaining true to what makes it an iconic franchise.
Best Sports or Racing Game
Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
Milestone
“Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged provides players with an upgraded Hot Wheels experience, offering new gameplay mechanics and additional online features that were missing in the first game. There are few racing games that cater to all ages, but this one hits the mark and earns my recommendation to just about anyone.”
READ: Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged Review — A ‘Wheelie’ Fun Sequel
Best Family-Friendly Game
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Nintendo
“Nintendo has delivered yet another memorable experience that is delightfully ridiculous with surprises from start to finish. There’s a perfect combination of old and new mechanics executed flawlessly which feels fresh yet nostalgic at the same time. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is a masterpiece worthy of being titled one of the best platformers of all time.”
READ: Super Mario Bros. Wonder Review — Wonderfully Whimsical Chaos
Best AR/VR Game
Resident Evil Village VR Mode
Capcom
Resident Evil Village VR Mode is an excellent VR experience that allows players to experience one of the best horror games of current gen.
Best Remake/Remaster
Resident Evil 4
Capcom
“Resident Evil’s formula has been perfected in this outstanding remake of 2005’s Resident Evil 4 with revitalised gameplay while still remaining true to the original game. If Resident Evil 4 is CAPCOM’s new benchmark for a Resident Evil game, I can’t wait to see where the franchise goes next.”
READ: Resident Evil 4 Review
Best DLC
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
CD Projekt RED
Phantom Liberty partnered with the 2.0 update marks a tremendous achievement for CD Projekt RED after a challenging launch when the game was initially released in 2020.
Best Game Direction
Alan Wake II
Remedy Entertainment
Remedy threw everything they had at Alan Wake II, which resulted in one of the best gaming experiences of the year. The vision that the team had was executed perfectly, from the aesthetics and presentation of the game to the general gameplay.
Best Art Direction
Hi-Fi Rush
Tango Gameworks
Hi-Fi Rush blends iconic and striking art styles with enjoyable music and rhythm to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Despite being shadow-dropped at the beginning of the year, its impact was felt by the NextPlay team for many months afterwards.
Best Narrative
Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian Studios
“As a non-D&D player, I felt like Baldur’s Gate 3 did a fantastic job of easing me into this world, never overexplaining the lore and history, and instead rewarding me for paying attention and appreciating the narrative as it unfolds. There is an incredible amount of dialog choices throughout Baldur’s Gate 3, and while the main narrative thread will head in the same direction regardless, I feel like the nuanced nature of each playthrough could be incredibly different depending on how players choose to navigate both conversational and combat-based decisions.”
READ: Baldur’s Gate 3 Review — A Critical Success
Best Score
Final Fantasy XVI
Square Enix
“Final Fantasy XVI is full of Eikons, but a specific icon in Final Fantasy’s history is the music. The music throughout the game perfectly orchestrates epic moments in the narrative and really amplifies large-scale boss fights. During Eikon fights, the music starts with epic instrumentals and a powerful choir, only to have the music slow down in pace and have a tranquil feel to it before ramping back up again. It all works so well and gives the larger fights a heftier and relentless feel to them.”
READ: Final Fantasy XVI Review
Best Performance
Samantha Béart as Karlach
Baldur’s Gate 3
In a game full of phenomenal voice acting, the delivery of Karlach’s many, many, many lines are a standout to us a NextPlay. Karlach showcases Samantha’s versatility in voice acting very well.
Best Video Game Adaptation
The Last of Us
HBO
Video game adaptations are no longer feared by gamers, and while we’ve had a few great adaptations over the last year or two, captivating universe of The Last of Us tugged at our heartstrings once more. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal embodied Ellie and Joel near-on perfectly.
Most Impactful Game
Under the Waves
Parallel Studio
“[Under the Waves] explores the darkest depths of the ocean and the human psyche, exploring powerful personal themes and global issues.”
READ: Under the Waves Review
Reader’s Choice Award
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Insomniac Games
Reader’s Choice is awarded by our readers who have selected Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 as their Game of the Year.
Editor’s Choice Award
Alan Wake II
Remedy Entertainment
Editor’s Choice is awarded by NextPlay’s Editor, Brad Goodwin, who has selected Alan Wake II as his Game of the Year.
Alan Wake II is one of the most ambitious horror games out there. The game direction is unparalleled to any other game I’ve experienced. The seamless use of digital graphics, real-life footage, riveting performances from the cast, and an engaging story allowed for this game to shine in a heavy-hitting year of video game releases. Oh, and The Herald of Darkness scene will forever be in my top gaming experiences of all time.
Indie Game of the Year
Sea of Stars
Sabotage Studio
Sea of Stars is a beautifully crafted RPG that pays homage to classic RPG titles while still having its own unique flair. The engaging story, combined with its detailed pixel art style and stunning soundtrack, makes it an easy decision to award it our Indie Game of the Year.
Aussie Game of the Year
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical
Summerfall Studios
“Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical is another unique and well-established entry into Australia’s portfolio of games in recent years. With a captivating story, loveable characters, and some stellar performances by the cast, this one-of-a-kind game is sure to scratch that musical itch you have.”
READ: Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical Review
Game of the Year
Baldur’s Gate 3
Larian Studios
“Baldur’s Gate 3 is magnificent and will become the new standard for the RPG genre and what it can provide players. It delivers a fantastic main narrative, an incredible cast of loveable characters, a nuanced number of choices and side quests, alongside a satisfying/challenging combat system, with a brilliant soundtrack and sleek visuals.”
READ: Baldur’s Gate 3 Review — A Critical Success
RELATED: The NextPlay Game Awards 2022
