Game of the Year is a coveted title every December. Whether it is being crowned at The Game Awards, by individual outlets, or in a conversation between gamers, GOTY is always a hot debate. Every game is up for the prestigious award without the lines of genre, studio or budget limiting the chance of winning. It simply has to come out that year and be beloved—for any reason.
In years past, CGMagazine has passed out Game of the Year to games of all kinds. GOTY 2022 went to Elden Ring after bringing in our readers to help make the final call. GOTY 2021 went to Resident Evil Village, which had a run for its money up against Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5.
GOTY 2020, though, went to Hades, a roguelike indie game that gamers fell in love with, proving that AAA studios don’t always have to take the win! Game of the Year 2023, however, has been an interesting race. We took every game review on CGMagazine that scored 8.5 out of 10 or above and brought in our 24 staff members to vote for their favourites.
We cut over 60 games down to our top ten but got stuck in a 5-way tie for the last two spots. The votes were between Hi-Fi Rush, Metroid Prime Remastered, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Star Ocean: The Second Story R, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. With a quick revote, CGMagazine had their top ten nominees for Game of the Year.
CGMagazine’s Game of the Year 2023 Nominees:
- Alan wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy XVI
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Dead Space Remake
- Super Mario RPG
- Resident Evil 4 Remake
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
As you can see, there was a pretty wide spread of games between genres and ESRB ratings, proving family-rated games still have a place in modern-day gaming. With Super Mario RPG and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, family games were popular in 2023. We covered horror games like Alan Wake 2, Dead Space Remake and Resident Evil 4 Remake. RPGs always have a home with titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and, of course, Super Mario RPG again. And, as always, action and action-adventure titles remained as popular as ever, with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy XVI, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
But only one game could reign supreme, so CGM needed to bring their top 10 down to one! Our team voted for their top three games this year to ultimately crown our Game of the Year 2023. Tied for third place was Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Alan Wake 2, leaving our GOTY winning spot wide open. Without further ado, here are the results.
CGMagazine’s Game of the Year 2023:
Game of the Year 2023 Runner-Up: Final Fantasy XVI
Final Fantasy XVI represents both a return to form for a franchise that has had some rocky years of late and a massive departure for one of the most storied series in gaming history. It steps fully away from its ancestors’ roots, planting its flag in action-RPG territory and embracing a new approach to narrative. Simultaneously, so many of the series’ oldest themes are interwoven through its 60-hour plot—defiance of fate and oppression, the bonds between allies, the militarization of magical powers, and, of course, the prevalence of giant crystals and summoned beasts.
We were enthralled with Final Fantasy XVI’s epic tale of war, sacrifice, revenge, and the fight for freedom. Ben Starr’s hauntingly powerful and personal performance as protagonist Clive Rosfield still lingers in our hearts, earning a place among the series’ best-loved heroes. Its set-piece boss battles between Eikons highlighted not only key moments in the plot but the power of the PlayStation 5 itself. Through it all, another masterful score from composer Masayoshi Soken brought all the intensity and emotion home.
While it may have been bested by the vast branching paths and multiplayer of Baldur’s Gate 3, Final Fantasy XVI nonetheless had us on the edge of our seats for the entirety of its emotional roller coaster.
Game of the Year 2023: Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a revelation, the kind of game that only comes around once in a decade. It’s not just a great RPG. It’s an experience that will likely define the genre for years to come, and that is why it has been crowned CGMagazine’s Game of the Year 2023.
Freedom is the word that defines Baldur’s Gate 3, freedom in how you craft your character and story, and freedom in how you approach nearly every situation and obstacle. The world of Faerûn feels incredibly reactive to every choice you make, with decisions from the start of the game still having consequences 100 hours in.
Of course, the real heart of Baldur’s Gate 3 and the reason it is our Game of the Year 2023 is the fantastically written characters and party members. From the snooty but lovable Astarion to the cold and calculating Minthara, the game is filled with unforgettable characters that feel larger than life in the best way. On top of all this, you can also add in some of the best co-op multiplayer seen in years.
The sheer scale and scope of Baldur’s Gate 3 is staggering on every level, with each piece of the experience adding to the larger hole. Any small issues with the game are swept to the side with the sheer ambition of Baldur’s Gate 3 and how it succeeds on almost every front.
Baldur’s Gate 3 from Larian Studios is CGMagazine’s Game of the Year 2023, and it has earned that title by every right.
