The Best of 2023 Awards
My Personal Favorite 2023 Moments, Characters, and More
This will be the first time I have done any awards for 1UP Vault. I have a couple of different categories to look at as I round out my final look at 2023 and talk about some of my favorite moments, games, and more for the year. I already published my top ten favorite games, and you can read those: Top 10 Favorite Games of 2023
As a reminder, I could not play a few major games that came out. These include Baldur’s Gate 3, Alan Wake 2, Hogwarts Legacy, and Assassins’ Creed Mirage. There’s a strong possibility these games would have changed my favorite games list and the awards. And last but not least, remember this purely for fun and my opinions.
One last point: there are minor spoilers in some of the descriptions of the awards, though I tried not to give away major things.
Favorite Game of 2023
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Runner-Ups - Final Fantasy XVI, Lies of P
The latest Zelda entry is a master-class example of how to do a sequel to a consequential game. Taking all the best things Breath of the Wild did and expanding it with a better story, bigger world, better soundtrack, better bosses, and one of the best endings in the franchise’s history. Tears of the Kingdom was well worth waiting and added another masterpiece to the legendary series.
Best Male Hero
TIE - Clive Rosfield (Final Fantasy XVI) & Garl, the Warrior Cook (Sea of Stars)
Runner-Up - Chai (Hi-Fi Rush)
Yeah, I’m cheating here, but it’s my awards anyway. I had trouble picking between Clive and Garl. Clive Rosfield is the best main protagonist the Final Fantasy series has had in quite a while. His story following how to handle grief and exploring mental health and masculinity really made him one of the more interesting characters of the year.
While Valere and Zale are the main characters you play, Garl steals the show. He is a character filled with optimism and always sees the good in anyone he meets. He’s just a regular guy who wants to help his two best friends on their journey despite lacking powers. Ultimately, Garl is the most important character in the game, and his arc ends in a genuinely emotional moment. He’s one of those characters you won’t forget.
Best Female Hero
Princess Zelda (LOZ: Tears of the Kingdom)
Runner-Ups - Jill Warrick (Final Fantasy XVI), Serai (Sea of Stars)
One of the more surprising story arcs in Tears was Zelda’s story. After disappearing in the intro, the princess’ arc is told through flashbacks as Zelda has to figure out what she can do to help the people she meets and ultimately get the Master Sword back in Link’s hands. Once you reach the end, you actually find yourself feeling for her and what she ultimately has to do to help Link and Hyrule. Without a doubt, this is the most heroic Zelda we have seen in the series yet.
Best Villain
Anabella Rosfield (Final Fantasy XVI)
Runner-Ups - Ganondorf (LOZ: Tears of the Kingdom), Venom (Marvel’s Spider-Man 2)
As badly as I wanted to give this to Ganondorf, who, in my opinion, is the best version of the character in the series… I couldn’t pass up the villain that gave me the most anger. Anabella is the mother of 2023’s best male hero, Clive Rosfield. What works best about her is the fact that she isn’t some major evil deity, or you fight her in a boss battle, or anything like that. Instead, she’s something many of us unfortunately have had to deal with in our own lives, a horrible person. It's in that simplicity that Anabella becomes such a memorable villain. She’s a mother willing to abandon her son because she considers him a failure and unworthy of her bloodline. She’s willing to betray her loved ones to gain power. She’s essentially the gaming world’s Cersei. In a game filled with multiple villains, it was her who had no powers and never fought who left the most impact on me.
Best Narrative
Final Fantasy XVI
Runner-Ups - Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Lies of P
I cannot begin to explain how good Final Fantasy XVI’s story is. It’s more than just your typical JRPG good vs. evil story. There are strong themes around slavery, toxic masculinity, fulfilling your role, families, legacy, the pressure of generations, and mental health. It’s a game that leaves you with much to think about in its large cast.
Best Overall Moment
The Entire Final Segment (LOZ: Tears of the Kingdom)
Runner-Ups - Singing Piranha Plants (SBM Wonder), Chai Breaks Out of Harmonic Forcefield (Hi-Fi Rush)
As good as Final Fantasy XVI’s narrative is, I don’t think I’ve seen a game end right more so than Tears of the Kingdom. The entire final segment of the game, going from the final boss battle to the after-credits, is just pure magic. Considering that the game is supposed to take place at the very end of the timelines, it feels like the perfect climactic conclusion to the world’s most critically acclaimed video game franchise, from one epic encounter with the Demon King to an emotional reunion and the perfect mix of the game’s theme song mixed with the iconic series theme.
The last awards will be presented with no notes/commentary as they pretty much speak for themselves.
Best Performance
Ben Starr (Clive Rosfield - Final Fantasy XVI)
Runner-Ups - Kevin Afghani (Mario - SMB Wonder), Patricia Summersett (Princess Zelda - LOZ: TOTK)
Best Soundtrack
Final Fantasy XVI
Runner-Ups - Sea of Stars, Super Mario RPG
Best Overall Song / Score
“Fascination (Golden)” - Lies of P
Runner-Ups - Find the Flame (Final Fantasy XVI), Piranha Plants on Parade (SMB Wonder)
Best Audio Design
Hi-Fi Rush
Runner-Ups - Final Fantasy XVI, Super Mario RPG
Best Art Style and Presentation
Lies of P
Runner-Ups - Hi-Fi Rush, Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Best Graphics
Final Fantasy XVI
Runner-Ups - Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4 (Remake)
Best Gameplay
Resident Evil 4 (Remake)
Runner-Ups - Hi-Fi Rush, Lies of P
Best Boss Fight
Titan (Final Fantasy XVI)
Runner-Ups - Ganondorf, the Demon King (LOZ: Tears of the Kingdom), Bowser (SMB Wonder)
Best World & Lore
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Runner-Ups - Starfield, Lies of P