- Alan Wake 2 (Remedy Entertainment/505 Games)
- Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)
- Deathloop (Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks)
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Metroid Dread (MercurySteam/Nintendo)
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Nintendo EPD/Nintendo)
Alan Wake 2: A thrilling sequel to a cult classic
Alan Wake 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the 2010 psychological thriller game Alan Wake, which follows the titular writer as he battles the dark forces that have taken over the town of Bright Falls. The sequel, which was announced at The Game Awards 2022, takes place two years after the events of the first game, and sees Alan Wake on the run from the FBI, who suspect him of being involved in a series of murders. Alan must use his flashlight and his weaponized stories to fight the darkness and uncover the truth behind the mysterious Mr. Scratch, who claims to be his evil twin.
Alan Wake 2 has received critical acclaim for its immersive storytelling, atmospheric visuals, and tense gameplay. The game has also been praised for its improved combat mechanics, branching narrative, and multiple endings. The game has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games of 2023. Alan Wake 2 is a strong contender for the Game of the Year award, as it delivers a satisfying and thrilling experience that fans of the original game and newcomers alike can enjoy.
Baldur’s Gate 3: A masterpiece of role-playing
Baldur’s Gate 3 is the third installment in the legendary Baldur’s Gate series, which is based on the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game. The game, which was released in early access in 2020 and fully launched in 2023, is set a century after the events of Baldur’s Gate 2, and follows a group of adventurers who have been infected by a parasitic tadpole that gives them mysterious powers, but also threatens to turn them into mind flayers. The game allows players to create their own characters, recruit companions, explore a vast and detailed world, and engage in turn-based combat and dialogue choices that have significant consequences.
Baldur’s Gate 3 has been hailed as a masterpiece of role-playing, as it offers a deep and rich gameplay experience that is faithful to the source material, but also innovative and modern. The game has been lauded for its stunning graphics, dynamic music, voice acting, and cinematic cutscenes. The game has also been commended for its replay value, as it features a multiplayer mode, a dungeon master mode, and a modding tool that allows players to create their own content. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a worthy successor to the beloved franchise, and a potential winner of the Game of the Year award, as it sets a new standard for the genre.
Deathloop: A stylish and inventive shooter
Deathloop is a first-person shooter game that revolves around the concept of time loops. The game, which was released in 2022, is set on the island of Blackreef, where two rival assassins, Colt and Julianna, are trapped in a cycle of killing each other and repeating the same day. Colt wants to break the loop by eliminating eight targets, while Julianna wants to preserve it by hunting him down. The game allows players to control either Colt or Julianna, and use various weapons, abilities, and environmental elements to accomplish their goals. The game also features a multiplayer mode, where players can invade each other’s games as Julianna and try to stop Colt.
Deathloop has received rave reviews for its stylish and inventive gameplay, which combines elements of stealth, action, and puzzle-solving. The game has also been praised for its colorful and retro-futuristic art style, witty and charismatic characters, and catchy and immersive soundtrack. The game has sold over 5 million copies worldwide, and has won several awards, including the Best Action/Adventure Game at the Golden Joystick Awards 2022. Deathloop is a unique and refreshing shooter game that offers a lot of fun and creativity, and a possible candidate for the Game of the Year award, as it showcases the potential of the genre.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2: A spectacular sequel to a superhero sensation
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is the sequel to the 2018 superhero game Marvel’s Spider-Man, which follows the adventures of Peter Parker, a young man who fights crime as the web-slinging hero Spider-Man. The sequel, which was released in 2023, takes place two years after the events of the first game, and sees Peter Parker teaming up with his friend and fellow Spider-Man, Miles Morales, to face new threats, such as the criminal mastermind Wilson Fisk, the symbiotic villain Venom, and the mysterious Kraven the Hunter. The game allows players to switch between Peter and Miles, and use their unique spider-powers, gadgets, and skills to traverse the open-world of New York City, and combat enemies and bosses.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has received universal acclaim for its spectacular gameplay, which improves upon the already excellent mechanics of the first game, and adds new features, such as dual-character combat, stealth missions, and dynamic weather and day-night cycles. The game has also been applauded for its compelling story, which balances humor, drama, and emotion, and features a stellar voice cast, including Yuri Lowenthal, Nadji Jeter, Tony Todd, and Troy Baker. The game has sold over 15 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games of 2023. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a superb sequel to a superhero sensation, and a strong contender for the Game of the Year award, as it delivers a thrilling and immersive experience that fans of the character and the genre can love.
Metroid Dread: A triumphant return of a classic franchise
Metroid Dread is the fifth and final installment in the Metroid series, which follows the intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran as she explores alien planets and fights hostile creatures. The game, which was released in 2022, is set after the events of Metroid Fusion, and sees Samus Aran traveling to the planet ZDR, where she encounters a new threat: the E.M.M.I., robotic enemies that can hunt her down and kill her instantly. The game allows players to control Samus Aran, and use her various weapons, abilities, and upgrades to navigate the 2D side-scrolling environment, and overcome obstacles and enemies.
Metroid Dread has received critical acclaim for its triumphant gameplay, which pays homage to the classic games of the series, but also introduces new elements, such as stealth, speed, and melee combat. The game has also been praised for its atmospheric visuals, sound design, and level design, which create a sense of tension and dread. The game has sold over 4 million copies worldwide, and has won several awards, including the Best Nintendo Game at the Golden Joystick Awards 2022. Metroid Dread is a fitting conclusion to the Metroid saga, and a potential winner of the Game of the Year award, as it revives a classic franchise with a modern and masterful touch.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: A breathtaking adventure in a familiar world
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is the sequel to the 2017 game The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which follows the hero Link as he explores the vast and open world of Hyrule, and tries to stop the evil Calamity Ganon. The sequel, which was released in 2023, takes place after the events of the first game, and sees Link and Zelda discovering a new threat: the Tears of the Kingdom, mysterious crystals that have the power to alter the landscape and the creatures of Hyrule. The game allows players to control either Link or Zelda, and use their different abilities, weapons, and items to traverse the 3D environment, and solve puzzles and challenges.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has received overwhelming praise for its breathtaking gameplay, which expands upon the already amazing mechanics of the first game, and adds new features, such as flying, swimming, and crafting. The game has also been applauded for its gorgeous graphics, music, and voice acting, which create a stunning and immersive world. The game has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games of 2023. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is a magnificent adventure in a familiar world, and a strong contender for the Game of the Year award, as it delivers a sublime and unforgettable experience that fans of the series and the medium can cherish.
