Quick Take - Game of The Year Prediction Update
Its Getting Spicy
The 2023 Game of the Year discussion is getting spicy as we are one month away. So I wanted to do a quick article with an update on how things are looking for the possible Game of the Year nominees and eventual winner.
Locked In
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - The public favorite, locked in from the moment the game released. The game I would vote for.
Baldur’s Gate III - In my personal opinion, the REAL favorite. I still think game media’s love for the game and the massive reception from gamers will power it through.
Likely
Alan Wake II - I didn’t get to rank this one last time, but since its release I see how much love it’s gotten and I think it has a strong chance to get in
Final Fantasy XVI - I have notice the hype around this one fading down, but I still think it gets in
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 - It’s the Sony pick and it got great reviews, almost a lock at this point
Super Mario Bros. Wonder - This may get snubbed, but all the love it got from gaming media and gamers, including being compared to Super Mario World and Super Mario Bros. 3, most likely gets it in the nominees
Resident Evil 4 Remake - Again, this remake is looked at differently than Metroid or Dead Space
Sea of Stars - Maybe it’s my bias because I’m currently playing it (and loving every moment so far), but I still think this is the possible indie game to sneak in
Wildcards
Starfield - I went back and forth on the ranking with this one. I think it has a shot due to the journalists that were lukewarm to it saying the more they played it, the more they liked it. But in such a stacked year, I could see it barely missing out
Cocoon - Recently released and getting alot of love, I think this game could surprise people and get in
Dave the Diver - Everyone in the gaming media is talking about it and I think it could shock the world and get in
Lies of P - While many gamers loved it, the gaming media liked it alot more than loved, but I can see it getting downballot nominations
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - Another game that could very well sneak in, but held back by the stacked year
Street Fighter 6 - The game being a fighter is going to hurt its chances, but there’s enough love from the media and players to sneak in
Most Likely Not
Hi-Fi Rush - Unfortunately, because it’s an awesome game, but not in such a stacked year
Diablo IV - The grumpiness from the community after its release says no
Armored Core VI: Fires of the Rubicon - Still too niche of a title to get to Game of the Year spot, maybe if it was a really weak year
Forza Motorsport - Its a racing game and unfortunately that’s going to keep it out
Pikmin 4 - Definitely getting a Family Game nomination, but that’s the best it can do
Wo-Long: Fallen Dynasty - Came out too early and other Soulslike titles have come and taken the mindshare from it
Not a Chance
Dead Space Remake - Unlike RE4, this remake is looked at differently and it came out way too early in a stacked year to keep up the hype
Metroid Prime Remastered - Despite this being an amazing remaster/remake of my favorite game of all time, it’s not getting in because it’s seen as a remaster more than anything
Hogwarts Legacy - Did it sell like crazy? Yes. Is it fair it’ll miss a chance due to the polarizing nature of it? You can make the argument for both. I don’t think it has a chance, it probably would have and ignored the people against it in a much weaker year
My Prediction for the Winner
My personal belife is that Baldur’s Gate III will win it. I think the gaming media’s immense love for it, coupled with gamers who feel the same way will power it above Zelda. There’s going to be a lot of vote splitting, but I think that benefits Baldur’s Gate here. I personally think its Tears of the Kingdom that deserves to win, but my history with what I want to win is mixed. But we will see. Either way its been one hell of a year to be a gamer!