Before the year concluded, discussions were already percolating about whether 2023 was the best year for video game releases ever. It was a challenging year for the industry as a whole, but in terms of artistic output, 2023 is absolutely a contender. Whittling the year's releases to a mere 10 games was challenging, but we did it (you can read our top 10 right here).
However, the year's game release calendar was so much more than just those 10 games. Below, you'll see our winners for various categories, allowing us to celebrate a wide range of games, moments, characters, and elements from the extremely strong year for game releases.
Best Combat – Armored Core VI Fires Of Rubicon
Armored Core VI’s combat is defined by grace. Despite its blistering pace, you never feel out of control. The game constantly flexes around how you want to approach the tools you bring onto the battlefield, only building upon the highly responsive combat mechanics, making for an experience that feels authored by you.
Best Original Score – Final Fantasy XVI
The bar for Final Fantasy music is high, but its most recent entry has exceeded it. From explosive boss fights to quiet moments at the hideaway, the music team for Final Fantasy XVI fired on all cylinders. The score enhances the best parts of the game, and it’s one we’ll be humming for years to come.