THE REAL GAME AWARDS 2023
ONCE AGAIN Geoff Keighley doesn't know shit from shit this is what's important
28 Games
HERD LEADER
This was the first newly-released game I played in 2023 and for most of the year I didn't play anything better. Misericorde was nearly GOTY by process of elimination, just because it came out in a year with such trashy releases. Isn't that weird? Don't get the wrong impression, it's an excellent game which I don't mind mentioning as a GOTY contender (it's one of the few genuinely good ones this year), but the true title has been taken by a game I'm much more passionate about...
This was the first newly-released game I played in 2023 and for most of the year I didn't play anything better. Misericorde was nearly GOTY by process of elimination, just because it came out in a year with such trashy releases. Isn't that weird? Don't get the wrong impression, it's an excellent game which I don't mind mentioning as a GOTY contender (it's one of the few genuinely good ones this year), but the true title has been taken by a game I'm much more passionate about...
GAME OF THE YEAR
Such a phenomenally unique and creative (if slightly gimmicky) shoot-em-up. Anyone aware of my affinity for Kiki Kaikai and similar top-down run-and-guns likely needs no explanation for why I find this iteration on typical vertical shoot-em-up gameplay so exciting. Eigengrau is the only game to release this year I would enthusiastically say I "love." Indie shooters are where the hotness hides.
Such a phenomenally unique and creative (if slightly gimmicky) shoot-em-up. Anyone aware of my affinity for Kiki Kaikai and similar top-down run-and-guns likely needs no explanation for why I find this iteration on typical vertical shoot-em-up gameplay so exciting. Eigengrau is the only game to release this year I would enthusiastically say I "love." Indie shooters are where the hotness hides.
THE REAL GAME OF THE YEAR
This was my game of the year for 2022 (how could it not be?), but back then it had only released on Switch and PS4. This year it released on PC. You know what that means – it qualifies as my game of the year TWO YEARS IN A ROW!! Yaaay!
Well, no, actually it doesn't. This PC port has made the console versions completely obsolete to me, but I can't in good conscience award the same game GOTY two years in a row. That would make me seem like a (insert derogatory series here) fan. Please understand that in my heart, this is the true game of the year, and will always be until another Pocky & Rocky game is released (which will happen, right?)
This was my game of the year for 2022 (how could it not be?), but back then it had only released on Switch and PS4. This year it released on PC. You know what that means – it qualifies as my game of the year TWO YEARS IN A ROW!! Yaaay!
Well, no, actually it doesn't. This PC port has made the console versions completely obsolete to me, but I can't in good conscience award the same game GOTY two years in a row. That would make me seem like a (insert derogatory series here) fan. Please understand that in my heart, this is the true game of the year, and will always be until another Pocky & Rocky game is released (which will happen, right?)
THE REAL GAME OF THE YEAR
This is a phenomenal game that I'm so glad to have the opportunity to play, as busted as the translation may be. The script is so solid that even the atrocious translation job can't mask just how stuffed this game is with intrigue, passion, and charisma. The fact that we're finally getting localizations of this illustrious Chinese RPG franchise is enough for this game to shoot up to the top of any self-respecting GOTY list on its own – if not for the fact that, say it with me, this was not released in 2023. I will say it is easily the most significant landmark historical release of 2023 and nothing even comes close (I respect you Karateka, but not as much as this), which matters to me a whole hell of a lot more than whatever it means for something to be "the" "game" "of" the "year." Oh well. Since this released in 1999 it's not allowed to be important right now, even though it's infinitely more important than any other game on this list.
This is a phenomenal game that I'm so glad to have the opportunity to play, as busted as the translation may be. The script is so solid that even the atrocious translation job can't mask just how stuffed this game is with intrigue, passion, and charisma. The fact that we're finally getting localizations of this illustrious Chinese RPG franchise is enough for this game to shoot up to the top of any self-respecting GOTY list on its own – if not for the fact that, say it with me, this was not released in 2023. I will say it is easily the most significant landmark historical release of 2023 and nothing even comes close (I respect you Karateka, but not as much as this), which matters to me a whole hell of a lot more than whatever it means for something to be "the" "game" "of" the "year." Oh well. Since this released in 1999 it's not allowed to be important right now, even though it's infinitely more important than any other game on this list.
THE REAL GAME OF THE YEAR
Oh, this is another already-released game that only got an English localization this year. Maybe I can use this opportunity to mention that this was translated by a friend of mine and may I say, completely void of any bias, the script is excellently charming and refreshingly breezy. I never let cliched video gamist mantras dwell in my vocabulary, but for the sake of my friend, just this one single time I will allow myself employ some of the video game player's favorite incantations such as "this one's worth checking out" and "pick it up if you haven't."
Oh, this is another already-released game that only got an English localization this year. Maybe I can use this opportunity to mention that this was translated by a friend of mine and may I say, completely void of any bias, the script is excellently charming and refreshingly breezy. I never let cliched video gamist mantras dwell in my vocabulary, but for the sake of my friend, just this one single time I will allow myself employ some of the video game player's favorite incantations such as "this one's worth checking out" and "pick it up if you haven't."
THE REAL GAME OF THE YEAR
My real game of the year (not a joke) is not catalogued on this website, and honestly I'm glad that it isn't. I like that anyone playing it isn't hopping on any kind of bandwagon. Read my thoughts about it here (but only if you're chill and not going to add it to IGDB's database – I'm trusting you on this one)
My real game of the year (not a joke) is not catalogued on this website, and honestly I'm glad that it isn't. I like that anyone playing it isn't hopping on any kind of bandwagon. Read my thoughts about it here (but only if you're chill and not going to add it to IGDB's database – I'm trusting you on this one)
MOST DEVASTATING TIME VACUUM
In the editorial linked above, I allude to Junk being the game I spent the most time playing this year. I wrote that in August, about a month and a half before purchasing Suika Game on the Japanese Nintendo Switch eShop. Which, um... The version I purchased came out in 2021, and I bought it before the surprise English localization released later that same month. Retroactively it became a 2023 game, I guess. In any case, what I said about Junk is certainly still true, but Suika Game is a strong runner-up – chances are you've had a similar experience. Let's acknowledge this and move on.
In the editorial linked above, I allude to Junk being the game I spent the most time playing this year. I wrote that in August, about a month and a half before purchasing Suika Game on the Japanese Nintendo Switch eShop. Which, um... The version I purchased came out in 2021, and I bought it before the surprise English localization released later that same month. Retroactively it became a 2023 game, I guess. In any case, what I said about Junk is certainly still true, but Suika Game is a strong runner-up – chances are you've had a similar experience. Let's acknowledge this and move on.
BEST ART DIRECTION
This is the only reason anyone cares about this game and that's okay. It's the only reason I care about it. Games are allowed to be pretty it's okay
This is the only reason anyone cares about this game and that's okay. It's the only reason I care about it. Games are allowed to be pretty it's okay
BEST VAMPIRE SURVIVORS
Ikki is back! You know, Ikki! The arcade game that's actually pretty interesting but had an awful Famicom port so now it has a horrible reputation! They turned it into Vampire Survivors!... Or more accurately, they realized Vampire Survivors has been reaping the rewards it should have been receiving for the past 30 years, and have decided to claim what they're rightfully owed. Ikki rocks. Ikki Unite rocks. Get over it.
Ikki is back! You know, Ikki! The arcade game that's actually pretty interesting but had an awful Famicom port so now it has a horrible reputation! They turned it into Vampire Survivors!... Or more accurately, they realized Vampire Survivors has been reaping the rewards it should have been receiving for the past 30 years, and have decided to claim what they're rightfully owed. Ikki rocks. Ikki Unite rocks. Get over it.
I AM FASCINATED AND DISTURBED BY YOU
Earlier in this list, I mentioned that Eigengrau is the only game this year I'd enthusiastically say I "loved." That was a lie.
Earlier in this list, I mentioned that Eigengrau is the only game this year I'd enthusiastically say I "loved." That was a lie.
BEST FACES
Faces in video games haven't been so evocative since Hotel Dusk. Yakko's face on the game's main key art splinters a chill in my heart unlike any other expression in any other game, and they continue to be just as visceral for the game's entire duration. This game's got a lot of other aspects going for it as well, but the faces... The faces will be what I remember the most.
Faces in video games haven't been so evocative since Hotel Dusk. Yakko's face on the game's main key art splinters a chill in my heart unlike any other expression in any other game, and they continue to be just as visceral for the game's entire duration. This game's got a lot of other aspects going for it as well, but the faces... The faces will be what I remember the most.
BEST CONCEPT
Gotta throw respect for indie devs actually experimenting with truly new structures and styles of games. This type of gameplay has been attempted before, but to my knowledge never as the main mechanic of a full release. Godspeed, ye with quirky ideas
Gotta throw respect for indie devs actually experimenting with truly new structures and styles of games. This type of gameplay has been attempted before, but to my knowledge never as the main mechanic of a full release. Godspeed, ye with quirky ideas
FUCK YOU!!!!
FUCK YOU!!!!!!!
FUCK YOU!!!!!!!
FUCK YOU!!!!!!!
FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
FUCK YOU!!!!!!!
FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MOST FEVER DREAM
Everything about Garten of Banban was a haze. Poppy Playtime clears. Stinger Flynn in the car. Which one is your favorite?
Everything about Garten of Banban was a haze. Poppy Playtime clears. Stinger Flynn in the car. Which one is your favorite?
BEST TOUHOU
In a year where an official mainline Touhou game released, this still manages to be the best Touhou. Maybe if ZUN stops trying to be cute with all these tacked-on gimmicks like shops and Twinkle Star Sprites the mainlines will be good again. At least we have fans picking up the slack.
In a year where an official mainline Touhou game released, this still manages to be the best Touhou. Maybe if ZUN stops trying to be cute with all these tacked-on gimmicks like shops and Twinkle Star Sprites the mainlines will be good again. At least we have fans picking up the slack.
BEST VALIS
Great year to have exactly my specific special interests
Great year to have exactly my specific special interests
BEST GAME GEOFF KEIGHLEY IS OFFICIALLY ALLOWED TO RECOGNIZE
I need all of you to vote for Alan Wake 2 in every category it is being considered under for this year's Game Awards. It would be the funniest thing in the world if it won like all 20 categories it's running for. #AlanWakeSweep
https://thegameawards.com/
I need all of you to vote for Alan Wake 2 in every category it is being considered under for this year's Game Awards. It would be the funniest thing in the world if it won like all 20 categories it's running for. #AlanWakeSweep
https://thegameawards.com/
BEST DARK SOULS
Why isn't this in the running for Geoff's GOTY? Oh wait, not even Armored Core VI is a contender. That's weird.
Why isn't this in the running for Geoff's GOTY? Oh wait, not even Armored Core VI is a contender. That's weird.
BEST DARK SOULS
It's not Dark Souls
It's not Dark Souls
PANZER DRAGOON SAGA
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Panzer Dragoon Saga
BEST CARPAL TUNNEL
This game is a great mindless meditation but makes my hand hurt too much. Though it probably wouldn't be much better with actual chopsticks, either.
This game is a great mindless meditation but makes my hand hurt too much. Though it probably wouldn't be much better with actual chopsticks, either.
THE REAL GAME OF THE YEAR
Just kidding. It wasn't even game of the year in the year it originally released in. I love Super Mario RPG with my whole heart, but this re-release is not as significant to me as Pocky & Rocky or Xuan-Yuan Sword.
Just kidding. It wasn't even game of the year in the year it originally released in. I love Super Mario RPG with my whole heart, but this re-release is not as significant to me as Pocky & Rocky or Xuan-Yuan Sword.
WHATEVER
It's neat
It's neat
BEST NINTENDO GAME SINCE PIKMIN 3 ON THE WII U
That doesn't make it an actually good game though
That doesn't make it an actually good game though
SHOUTOUT @C_F
my goat
my goat
THE REAL GAME OF THE YEAR
Okay no more jokes. This actually will be my game of the year when it releases and I'm being 100% honest. Dragon Quest IV is the best Dragon Quest and the Monsters spinoffs are excellent. It's the only game this year that matters even a little bit.
Okay no more jokes. This actually will be my game of the year when it releases and I'm being 100% honest. Dragon Quest IV is the best Dragon Quest and the Monsters spinoffs are excellent. It's the only game this year that matters even a little bit.
6 Comments
it's a good one but let's not confuse the voters. #AlanWakeSweep he needs his trophies
Can't believe this is how I learn there was a game similar to Valis this year.
Who is that C_F nerd tho?
some freak
so tru oomfie
LordDarias
5 months ago