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Update: Baldur's Gate 3 Is Gamespot's Game Of The Year 2023!

The developers knew that, first and foremost, the most crucial aspect of Dungeons & Dragons is encouraging and rewarding choice by trying to account for as many outcomes as possible, no matter how unlikely, every step of the way through the story. The result of honoring that ideal is the best game of 2023.

The game is just brilliant. Larian Studios has set a new benchmark for what developers can accomplish in a single-player RPG, and I won't be surprised if we see more studios attempt to emulate Baldur's Gate 3's success when it comes to designing choice-driven narratives. And whether anyone--perhaps even including Larian itself--can live up to that benchmark it has established is hardly a given.

Baldur's Gate 3 Is GameSpot's Game Of The Year 2023

Here's what makes Baldur's Gate 3 our choice for the best game of the year.

www.gamespot.com

2023 has been a very tough year for the video game business, with regular layoffs across the industry despite the record profits. It's difficult to celebrate how incredible games are without acknowledging the way many corporations have treated the individuals responsible for those very games. By some estimates, more than 7,000 jobs have been lost in the gaming industry just this year so, at GameSpot, while we want to celebrate this year's great new games, it's important not to disregard the human cost of this year.

We love games (in case the name "GameSpot" wasn't a good indication), so with the acknowledgment that, while the industry is in dire need of addressing significant issues pertaining to the treatment of game developers, we can still talk about how incredible the games have been and what our favorites are. That's what this gallery is about--as a publication, we all got together to talk about all the games we each played during the year and narrow down what we collectively agree to be the best games of 2023. You can get our takes on the best games of the year below, but we'd also encourage you to think about the human element of gaming and we urge you to go read up on the biggest gaming news of 2023, which includes details on layoffs, increased use of AI, and even more acquisitions--to have a more comprehensive grasp of how large swaths of the gaming industry may be becoming increasingly unsustainable.

Their top 10 games of 2023 listed in no particular order:

• Resident Evil 4
• Hi-Fi Rush
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder
• Street Fighter 6
• Octopath Traveler II
• The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
• Hitman Freelancer
• Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
• Baldur's Gate III
• Alan Wake II

Also, I'll be updating the OP with their GOTY pick since they'll be announcing it tomorrow.

GameSpot's 10 Best Games Of 2023

2023 saw the release of tons of excellent games and post-launch expansions, both big and small.

www.gamespot.com

 

[FoxMcChief]

Not a bad list.

 

[Nankatsu]

No Spider-man 2 on top 10?

 

[FoxMcChief]

No Spider-man 2 on top 10?

It shouldn’t be.

Only change I’d make is replace Hitman with Dead Space Remake. Glad FF16 isn’t either. And I totally get why Starfield isn’t, while it’s my GotY.

 

[FeralEcho]

No Lies of P....Shit tier list

 

[Topher]

lol......pretending Hogwarts doesn't exist still

 

[R3TRODYCE]

No Spider-Man...I like this list.

 

[acm2000]

good list that covers the best of many different genres

 

[Bond007]

So Modes & DLC over Spiderman or Hogwarts

 

[Topher]

Trying to figure out what Hitman Freelancer is and google is saying it is a "mode" in Hitman World of Assassination?

 

[Beer Baelly]

Hitman Freelancer?

 

[Flabagast]

No spiderman, no starfield : a perfect list.

Go Phantom Liberty

 

[FrankWza]

Trying to figure out what Hitman Freelancer is and google is saying it is a "mode" in Hitman World of Assassination?

Might as well put Spec II up there

 

[rofif]

No ff16 and no hogwarts and no ac6.
That's the worst list I've seen this year.

 

[Lupin25]

It shouldn’t be.

Only change I’d make is replace Hitman with Dead Space Remake. Glad FF16 isn’t either. And I totally get why Starfield isn’t, while it’s my GotY.

I was with you til…

 

[Chuck Berry]

No Spider-man 2 on top 10?

Good

 

[adamsapple]

Fairly solid list.

 

[solidus12]

No Starfield? Good list then.

 

[FrankWza]

It shouldn’t be.

Glad FF16 isn’t either. And I totally get why Starfield isn’t, while it’s my GotY.

 

[FunkMiller]

I just sold Spider-man 2 after a few hours of the most boring gameplay of my life. If it gets onto anyone's game of the year list, they're shilling. Same goes for Starfield. Both dull fucking let downs, and examples of corporate video game making at its worst.

This list ain't bad. Though what the fuck is Hitman Freelancer?

 

[calistan]

Trying to figure out what Hitman Freelancer is and google is saying it is a "mode" in Hitman World of Assassination?

That's exactly what it is, it's completely brilliant and is my second most played thing this year after Baldur's Gate 3.

But it's a bit weird that a new mode in a live service game qualifies for this year's game of the year. I love it but I wouldn't have considered it myself, it's not really a 2023 game. They're often adding new modes and stuff.

edit: Then again, they've got the Cyberpunk DLC listed (and the Zelda DLC of course)

 

[Mozzarella]

I have a feeling Alan Wake 2 may just steal the award on Thursday lol.

 

[Robb]

All good games, but there are a few in there I’d replace personally.

 

[ShadyAcshuns]

Such cowards... this industry is full of them.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Happy that Octopath Traveler II is getting the recognition it deserves (at least from some of these gaming outlets).

 

[Topher]

That's exactly what it is, it's completely brilliant and is my second most played thing this year after Baldur's Gate 3.

But it's a bit weird that a new mode in a live service game qualifies for this year's game of the year. I love it but I wouldn't have considered it myself, it's not really a 2023 game. They're often adding new modes and stuff.

edit: Then again, they've got the Cyberpunk DLC listed (and the Zelda DLC of course)

It's not DLC

 

[ungalo]

I've seen worst lists.

 

[rofif]

I've seen worst lists.

and this is one of them worst lists

 

[calistan]

It's not DLC

Maybe they consider the Hitman thing an expansion too. I guess we're past the point where a game is tied to its year of release.

 

[ungalo]

and this is one of them worst lists

they cheated with some "games" but it's alright

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

Hi-Fi Rush

 

[Karppuuna]

lol......pretending Hogwarts doesn't exist still

Its not that good game, take away the potter theme and its only media-core, so its only the "potter" that is holding it high.

 

[3liteDragon]

One of the dumbest lists I’ve seen so far lol

 

[FoxMcChief]

Yup. Great top 10.

 

[SALMORE]

No Powerwash ?! blasphemy

 

[T4keD0wN]

lol......pretending Hogwarts doesn't exist still

It doesnt belong on any lists, ive liked it, but its just an Assassins Creed Valhalla reskin with better combat and atmosphere.

I dont see any complaints when ubisoft games dont get their flowers on much weaker years than this.

 

[Mr Hyde]

HiFi Rush should be in everyone's GOTY list.

 

[MagnesD3]

If Armored Core 6 isnt in the top 5 you have a bad list.

 

[R6Rider]

That's exactly what it is, it's completely brilliant and is my second most played thing this year after Baldur's Gate 3.

But it's a bit weird that a new mode in a live service game qualifies for this year's game of the year. I love it but I wouldn't have considered it myself, it's not really a 2023 game. They're often adding new modes and stuff.

edit: Then again, they've got the Cyberpunk DLC listed (and the Zelda DLC of course)

Hitman Freelancer is fucking awesome.

Hitman WoA itself is among my favorites of all time.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

Endless (SP) trash.

And SF6? My God what a joke.

Lethal Company is easily GotY. No debate. To not have it listed shows how worthless GameSpot has become.

 

[ADiTAR]

Happy that Octopath Traveler II is getting the recognition it deserves (at least from some of these gaming outlets).

Is it better than the first one? less grindy?

 

[Celcius]

Interesting that FF16 made nobody's GOTY list

 

[GHG]

Only change I’d make is replace Hitman with Dead Space Remake. Glad FF16 isn’t either.

Trying to figure out what Hitman Freelancer is and google is saying it is a "mode" in Hitman World of Assassination?

Roguelite Hitman. It's actually very good and it's about time it got some recognition.

 

[Dynomite]

Interesting that FF16 made nobody's GOTY list

Why would it?

 

[Evil Calvin]

9 of the 10 are sequels or DLC. Pretty sad.

Where is Lies of P, Hogwarts, Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew?

 

[balls of snow]

Hitman freelancer...is a choice. Good on ioi but its a mode of a game from 2021. Thought Fromsoft would get their obligatory seat at the table. Mech games remain more niche than the most anime of fighting games.

 

[Shubh_C63]

Octopath Traveller has its fan but its better than FF16 or Spiderman2 ?

well maybe people really like OT2

 

[DeepEnigma]

It's not DLC

 

[CitizenKratos]

My #1…
RE Village VR patch

 

[FoxMcChief]

Interesting that FF16 made nobody's GOTY list

Not interesting at all. It’s not a good game.