Table of Contents
The Game Awards 2023 is just around the corner, and boy am I excited for what is possibly the gaming spectacle of the year. On December 7th, millions of gamers will witness this year’s biggest titles being honored across various categories. It’s not just an awards show, it’s a front-row seat to epic announcements and exclusive trailers, unveiling the future of the gaming universe. It’ll be exciting to see which game wins in each category, but it’s safe to say that most are interested in which game will take home the coveted Game of the Year prize.
There are six games nominated for Game of the Year at the Game Awards this year, with Alan Wake 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the Resident Evil 4 remake, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom all getting the nod. Which game will claim victory? In this article, we will thoroughly examine each title, going over what we at Electronic First loved about each game. Be sure to stay tuned until the end to find out who we think will take home the prize.
Game of the Year- Alan Wake 2
Alan Wake 2, after a 13-year wait, emerges as a brilliant, bonkers, and bloody single-player adventure that seamlessly blends psychological terror and survival horror action. The roughly 17-hour story, spanning two realities, introduces FBI agent Saga Anderson investigating ritualistic slaughters in Bright Falls. The narrative weaves between Saga’s procedural investigation and Alan’s desperate attempts to escape the dark place. The game’s contrasting settings, from the stunning Bright Falls to the neon-soaked New York Plaza, showcase Remedy’s artistic prowess. Alan’s reality introduces enjoyable environmental puzzles, while Saga’s side features a caseboard to organize evidence. The combat remains intense, with improved mechanics, diverse enemies, and engaging boss fights. However, Saga’s skill upgrades feel limited compared to Alan’s extensive skill tree.
Despite minor issues, Alan Wake 2 delivers a brain-bending survival horror storyline, impeccable art direction, and a revitalized light-based shooting mechanic. With nods to film, television, and gaming classics, including interactive musical sequences, Alan Wake 2 boldly cements itself as a superb sequel, surpassing the cult classic original.
Game of the Year- Baldur’s Gate 3
A remarkable accomplishment in role-playing games, Baldur’s Gate 3 revolutionizes the tabletop-inspired genre with its engrossing universe, complex characters, and masterful storytelling. Larian Studios creates a breathtaking world with incredibly detailed characters and expertly performed voice acting. The independence, innovative problem-solving opportunities, and smooth co-op gameplay integration are all excellent features of the game. The character creator is notable for having intricate classes with distinct attributes and a wide range of sub-races. The handling of romance components is witty and perceptive, steering clear of embarrassing traps. Strategically crafted and demanding, combat keeps players interested with a variety of encounters. The lesson may presume too much D&D expertise, despite the nice user interface. Magical goods and character growth improve gameplay, even if there is a learning curve. Over 130 hours, the three-act narrative offers varied moods and stimulating investigation. The game’s size isn’t thought of as filler. Every exchange enhances a memorable role-playing game. The game’s depth is emphasized by the difficult and important choices that determine the tale.
Beyond its predecessors in terms of RPG greatness, Baldur’s Gate III, a CRPG milestone, establishes a new standard. It offers the ideal blend of strategic combat,
It demonstrates that it is a worthy successor to the Infinity Engine classics and a model for CRPGs to come with its captivating story and spectacular graphics.
Game of the Year- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Insomniac’s Spider-Man 2 is an excellent sequel that amplifies the appeal of its predecessor by providing a captivating superhero encounter. The gameplay is enhanced by bigger battles, the addition of two characters, and better visuals. Fighting remains interesting, but the game adds exciting twists with gadgets like the Web Grabber and the dynamic symbiote suit.
The opponents in the game are more varied, there are challenging boss battles, and the motivations of each character are explored in great detail. The story, which mostly centers on Peter Parker, examines his early associations with Michael Jackson and Harry Osborn. Miles Morales adds intriguing moments in which he discusses his ethnic identity. Layers of intricacy are added by the themes of puberty, adolescence, and mental health. Even while swinging across the city at a faster pace is still a highlight, there is room for more creative side material in the open world.
There are still a few interesting questlines in the game, even though common tasks like collecting trinkets and street crimes may feel a little monotonous. With its expansive area that includes 14 distinct districts and a plethora of alternative tasks, players will have a plenty of stuff to peruse. The pure delight of swinging and gliding smoothly takes precedence over the option of quick transit, providing a genuinely immersive and pleasurable traversal experience. The game’s technological strength is evident in its very instantaneous load times, 60 frames per second performance mode, and breathtaking graphics. The immersive experience is improved by the music, particularly Craven’s theme. Despite the restrictions of the open world, Spider-Man 2 is a technological wonder that offers amazing moments and a gripping primary plot that guarantee a continuously fun superhero journey.
Resident Evil 4
The 2023 remake of Resident Evil 4 surpasses expectations, offering a thrilling 16-hour adventure. The remake enhances almost every aspect of the original. The rhythm has been enhanced, the scenery in the Spanish countryside is more menacing, and the sights are breathtaking. Particularly in extreme mode, the redesigned control layout guarantees smooth fighting without sacrificing difficulty. A range of weaponry, along with the adversaries’ unpredictable movements and cunning tactics, make for an exciting survival experience. Combat is now both fun and useful because to the remake’s introduction of tactical benefits utilizing the environment.
The story is always exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat during its furious encounters with trolls, sea monsters, and mutant animals. The tension is greatly enhanced by the audio design, which uses well-done noises to heighten the feeling of dread. Refined surroundings and structural adjustments provide for a more seamless experience. The game avoids the normal storytelling habit of moving slowly by maintaining a solid speed. Improvements like additional crafting possibilities and more generous weapon trade-in prices are brought forth by the reappearance of the enigmatic merchant. Side missions are an added bonus that may be completed using spinal jewels to obtain unique goodies. The remake effectively adapts the traditional survival horror paradigm for a contemporary audience, despite a few minor visual issues. With its many obstacles and extra unlockables, the campaign is a captivating experience for both seasoned players and beginners alike. To sum up, Resident Evil 4 Remake offers a thrilling and well-executed survival horror experience, making it an absolute must-play.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Mario’s platforming formula is constantly reinvented in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which keeps players interested. The game exudes excitement from its vivid flower kingdom background to its surprising marvel effects. The animations, which highlight Mario’s interactions with the surroundings and adversaries, are particularly striking. Wonder flowers and wonder seeds have a surprise factor that makes every step thrilling. The flower kingdom adds spice to the traditional Mario formula by introducing new opponents like mothers and bulrushes. The surprise effects, which are brought on by wonder flowers and change Mario’s shape and gameplay suddenly, are the game’s main attraction.
This feature gives the player’s experience more replayability and customisation, in addition to the badge system that offers active or passive effects. Both local and online multiplayer options improve the gameplay, and clever elements like standees and ghosts make for a more enjoyable cooperative experience. Elephant Mario and Drill Mario are two fun additions to the game, each with their own special skills. Super Mario Bros. establishes a new benchmark for 2D Mario platformers with its bright graphics, inventive surprises, and upbeat ambiance, even though it falls short of the 3D masterpiece Super Mario Odyssey owing to its easier hurdles. similar to the original Super Mario universe.
Legend of Zelda – Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the follow-up to Breath of the Wild, broadens the franchise’s horizons and goals. A revamped Hyrule map, a new vehicle production system, and weapon creation enhance the captivating experience of the original. Although the weapon fusion system and battle mechanics provide depth, improvements to quality of life make gaming more effective. The construction mechanism lets players create cars and other gadgets in a creative way, which makes player-driven exploration easier. Unusual weather and unexplored region are two examples of environmental changes that make exploration more exciting. A sequence of cutscenes and story events that shed light on Hyrule’s past and the mysterious upheaval serve to unveil the plot. The game’s story, which centers on stopping Ganondorf and saving Princess Zelda, takes an odd turn that provides a fresh perspective on the well-known Zelda formula.
Tears of the Kingdom expands and changes Hyrule while keeping the spirit of Breath of the Wild, setting a new standard for open-world games. The emergence of the Depths, a dark, deep chasm under the surface that significantly increases the game’s possibilities, is one of Tears of the Kingdom’s biggest discoveries. In addition to the more conventional surface activities, The Depths’ ominous atmosphere provides a distinctive and difficult setting. Additional variety in adversaries, challenging boss encounters, and a new weapon fusion system that allows players to creatively combine different weapons have all enhanced combat. Throwable items have also been added, providing additional tactical options.
The ultra-hand building approach allows players to explore new area and design a variety of gadgets, which fosters ingenuity in problem-solving. The building tools in the game are flawlessly integrated, offering more side quests and shrine challenges. Playing the game preserves the sense of exploration while promoting player-driven discovery. The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom surpasses Breath of the Wild, one of the greatest games ever made, in every way, including world-building, gameplay, and plot.
By skillfully extending and enhancing the cherished Hyrule universe, Nintendo has raised the bar for open-world gaming.
Conclusion
The clear choice for Game of the Year, defining the year’s gaming landscape, is none other than Baldur’s Gate III. Hailed as a game-changer, it sets a new gold standard for AAA game development, receiving critical acclaim for its vast world, unprecedented customization, and engaging tasks. Unlike other nominees, Baldur’s Gate III accomplished groundbreaking feats. Spider-Man 2, while a welcome sequel, plays it safe without much innovation. Super Mario Bros. Wonder rushes through its content, leaving a fleeting impression. Resident Evil 4, a wonderful remake, remains in the shadow of the original. Alan Wake II, with a compelling story, falters in enjoyable gameplay. Baldur’s Gate III stands out as a well-deserved top choice, particularly against its main competitor, the Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. Tears of the Kingdom, despite meeting lofty expectations, falls slightly short due to its iterative nature. While not inherently negative, it lacks the innovation seen in Baldur’s Gate III. The visual similarities between Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, coupled with the sense of déjà vu, makes it feel more like an expansion pack. Baldur’s Gate III, in contrast, captures the spirit of the original series in a refreshing way.
The be-anyone-do-anything mentality sets it apart, offering a more original and replayable experience. Baldur’s Gate III, the first installment in a long dormant series, revitalizes the franchise and deserves recognition for its constant praise and undeniable impressiveness. While other nominees are commendable, none match the groundbreaking achievement of Baldur’s Gate III, making it the unequivocal top choice for Game of the Year and Electronic First’s choice. What do you guys think? Do you agree with our pick? Comment below
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