GAW Picks: Game of the Year 2023
Yet another year where we probably won't agree on anything (Haha)
It’s been a YEAR. There have been a TON of incredible titles, but at the same time, the industry hasn’t seen turmoil like we’ve seen in 2023 in years. We’re celebrating the thousands of developers who have brought us these incredible experiences in our Ode to 2023, where we (of course) couldn’t agree on THE BEST game of the year.
Games are incredible, y’all. Take some time in the new year to tell a game dev you’ve appreciated their work. These are our games of the year - we want to hear what yours were as well!
And without further ado, the GAW Game(s) of the Year go to:
Resident Evil 4 Remake (Capcom)
Awarded by: Allen Saunders
Editorials and Reviews Manager/All I want for Christmas is Alan Wake II
As my clever addition to my section intro indicated, this spot was meant for Alan Wake II. As a fellow Allen, I have waited thirteen years to revisit my favorite name-sharing protagonist. It unfortunately doesn’t seem to be in the cards for 2023 though. In between bouts of staring out the window sad like I am in an early 2000s music video, there was one game that stood out the most to me.
I spent over 80 hours this year with Resident Evil 4 Remake. It is hands down the best put-together game I had the chance to play this year. I had a blast doing the boss skips and seeing how fast I could beat the game before they got patched out and I had to go back to abusing the Chicago Typewriter and infinite rocket launcher on bosses. The way Capcom managed to make me get lost in something I once knew so well was outstanding. Not to mention the way characters also felt like they had more of a chance to show personality and make the whole campaign feel more than just another outbreak. Then, we got blessed with the Separate Ways DLC and I got pulled in again.
I can’t tell you enough to go play this. I think I am going to do another run soon.
Honorable mentions: Roboquest, Lies of P, and Thirsty Suitors. They’re all so well done and not enough people talk about Roboquest or Thirsty Suitors.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Respawn Entertainment)
Awarded by: Amanda Gorecki
Writer - Editor - Social Media Stuffs/Tell a game dev you appreciate their work!
As much as I loved Spider-Man 2, I have to give this to Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. It’s a great, galaxy-tripping sequel that feels like a natural extension of the first game. Not long after I finished my first playthrough, I wrote that Survivor has everything that makes Star Wars great; from characters you won’t soon forget, fantastic locations, a soaring musical score, and high-octane, heart-pounding action. For all the games I’ve experienced this year, there’s nothing that’s made me feel like the sequences with Merrin on Jedha. I’m probably going to start up another playthrough before Star Wars Outlaws comes out.
(Also, Respawn, can we get a Merrin spinoff? She’s so damn cool and her powers are amazing.)
Honorable mentions: Spider-Man 2, Goodbye Volcano High, Venba, Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores (Yes, I know it’s DLC), Coffee Talk 2, A Space for the Unbound.
Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
Awarded by: Chris Laffen
Staff Writer/A Former “Forever DM” in Recovery
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a labor of love from Larian Studios and man, does that labor shine! Reminiscent of the hype behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, the massive turn-based RPG exploded onto the scene in August and quickly took over social media as everyone found their favorite characters throughout their 60-ish-hour playthrough. Even if this title was a simple linear adventure, it would still find its home in the hearts of many gamers as a solid outing in Faerûn.
But the thing that gives Baldur’s Gate 3 a guaranteed spot in the history books is just how many different ways you can approach any given issue. Couldn’t move that statue? Cast a grease spell on it and give it another try. Need to assassinate the leader of the goblin camp? Why not bombard him with exploding barrels! The pitched boss fight above a bottomless chasm giving you grief? Just hex them and kick them down below. More often than not, the limit to your actions is your own creativity instead of developer restrictions.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to spend some more time with Karlach.
Honorable mentions: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Hi-Fi Rush, Dead Space, Cocoon.
Hi-Fi Rush (Tango Gameworks)
Awarded by: Nic Stevenson
Staff Writer/Future Rockstar
It happened somewhat by accident. I tried Hi-Fi Rush at launch, and while I fell in love with the style, I just couldn’t jive with the combat for some reason or another, despite my musical leanings. Other games came and went; Destiny 2 has it’s annual expansion that failed to live up to 2022’s incredible Witch Queen and yet I still had my eye on returning to Chai and the gang. It wasn’t until after the mecha assault of Armored Core 6, and my month-long induced Starfield obsession I returned. But this time? I found the beat.
I knew Hi-Fi was something special, but how special didn’t really hit until I rolled credits and found myself going back again and again. I’ve heard it often said from other content creators, but anyone who’s ever played a character action game, be it Devil May Cry or Bayonetta, has had the idea that the action syncing up with music would just be SO COOL. Hi-Fi did that and did it so well, they did it TWICE. Once with licensed tracks and again with their “streamer” mode which honestly, I think should be called “B Sides” or something because I found myself wanting those more often than the known songs. And once you hit a sorta, “flow state?” Nothing feels better. The S rank starts popping, the crowd starts chanting your name, and you’re just IN IT.
Furthermore, there is a level of polish and humor from a story that never misses. It’s clear Tango Gameworks love their craft, and there are so many dumb anime and gaming references so niche I don’t know who they are for but me. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure and Xenogears?! I mean, c’mon. Hi-Fi Rush is special, and I’ll be rocking this beat for a long time, or at least until they make a sequel.
Honorable Mentions: Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon, Robo Quest, Starfield, Jusant, Remnant 2
Starfield (Bethesda Game Studios)
Awarded by: Robin Ghosh
Sr. Editorial Writer/Another year, another bunch of games in my backlog ayo
I think the phrase “this year has been amazing for games” has been said ad nauseam at this point. We’ve had a metric ton of releases this year and I’m only maybe about halfway through this year’s offerings. With that in mind, selecting my singular game of the year is a difficult prospect, so let’s break it down quickly first.
The top three games I’ve played this year are Starfield, Alan Wake 2, and Final Fantasy XVI: each game representing a very unique corner of the medium. Starfield took us into the stars allowing us to live in a unique simulation of a universe teeming with stories and activities; Alan Wake 2 brought us back to Bright Falls a decade later with one of the most unique, daring narratives I’ve ever experienced; and finally, Final Fantasy XVI, an epic tale with incredible performances, set pieces and a brand new approach to a storied series.
Three incredible games amongst a sea of incredible games, but only one can come out on top and after much deliberation, it has to go to Starfield. The game is not perfect which you can read about in my review, but it is also the closest I’ll ever get to experiencing life in the cosmos. Most RPGs are created to place the character at the centre of its universe, Starfield is an RPG where the universe has been created around the player so they can find their own meaning within it.
Starfield is the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure and I can’t wait to return.
Honorable mentions: Alan Wake 2, Final Fantasy XVI, Hi-Fi Rush, Jagged Alliance 3, Venba, Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
And there you have it! From everyone here at Gaming Access Weekly, have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve, and we’ll see you next year!