The year’s end brings a time to celebrate the fantastic games that graced our screens. As we bid farewell to the year, various award ceremonies line up to honour the best in gaming. The Golden Joystick Awards 2023, one of the most prestigious events in the gaming calendar, took place last week. In this list, you’ll find the winners across all categories, showcasing the standout titles of the year.
Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 Review Scores: Best PC Game Ever
Golden Joystick Awards 2023 Winners
2023 was undoubtedly one of the finest years in gaming history. This was a sentiment we all shared, but a glance at the winners below reaffirms it. The lineup is nothing short of spectacular, featuring titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Alan Wake 2, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Each game brought something unique to the table, cementing this year as a remarkable one for gamers.
The winners of the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 stand out for a special reason: They are chosen entirely by user votes. This means the awards don’t just reflect the opinions of a select group of critics. Instead, millions of gamers worldwide cast their votes, celebrating their favourite releases from the year. This user-driven approach ensures the awards truly represent the voice of the gaming community.
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Technology
- Best Visual Design — Baldur’s Gate 3
- Best Audio — Final Fantasy XVI
- Best Hardware — PlayStation VR2
- Best Game Trailer — Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
People
- Streamer’s Choice — Valorant
- Critics’ Choice Award — Alan Wake 2
- Best Game Community — Baldur’s Gate 3
- Best Lead Performer — Ben Starr as Clive in Final Fantasy XVI
- Best Supporting Performer — Neil Newbon as Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3
Others
- Best Storytelling — Baldur’s Gate 3
- Still Playing Award — No Man’s Sky
- Breakthrough Award — Cocoon
- Studio of the Year — Larian Studios
Golden Joystick Awards 2023 – Best Games
- Best Expansion — Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Best VR Game — Horizon: Call of the Mountain
- Best Indie Game — Sea of Stars
- Best Multiplayer Game — Mortal Kombat 1
- Best Nintendo Game of the Year — The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Best PC Game of the Year — Baldur’s Gate 3
- Best Xbox Game of the Year — Starfield
- Best PlayStation Game of the Year — Resident Evil 4
- Most Wanted Game — Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- Ultimate Game of the Year — Baldur’s Gate 3
Let’s talk a little about the winners. First of all, it’s great that the gaming community is recognising what Larian Studios has achieved with Baldur’s Gate 3. After all, we are talking about a role-playing game entirely based on Dungeon & Dragons. Its dissemination to such a broad audience certainly deserves appreciation.
Similarly, Tears of the Kingdom and Sea of Stars winning in their categories was well-deserved. Notably, Tears of the Kingdom secured 14% of the votes in the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 “Ultimate Game of the Year” category, highlighting its overall quality.
Mortal Kombat 1 clinching the “Best Multiplayer Game” award in a market crowded with online games is particularly respected. It’s a significant nod to the game’s enduring legacy and its impact on the multiplayer genre.
Lastly, our team is thrilled to see Resident Evil 4 Remake honoured. Capcom’s achievement in reimagining this classic is no small feat, and its recognition at the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 is a testament to its success and impact on fans and newcomers alike.
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The Other Side of the Coin: Losers
Most games released over the year received due recognition at the Golden Joystick Awards 2023. However, some appear to have been overlooked by the gaming community.
Alan Wake 2, while not a direct loser, winning only in the critics’ category, is a bit disappointing. Its recent release likely influenced this outcome, but we don’t consider it a failure by any means.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, surprisingly, didn’t secure any awards. While it may clinch the best PS5 game at other upcoming award ceremonies, it was overshadowed by Resident Evil 4 Remake in this year’s Golden Joystick Awards.
Street Fighter 6, another top contender for the best game of the year, also didn’t bag any awards at the event. Like Spider-Man 2, it’s expected to gain recognition at other ceremonies but missed out this time.
The biggest disappointment of the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 was undoubtedly Diablo 4. Failing to win not just the major categories but also the technical ones highlights a disconnect between Blizzard’s sales success and the player community’s satisfaction with the game’s current state.
Final Thoughts
The Golden Joystick Awards 2023 overall showcased a fair and successful distribution of awards. However, like any awards ceremony, there are always a few noteworthy games that don’t get a mention. While this is a common happening, we feel it’s important to spotlight these titles:
- Dave the Diver
- Slay the Princess
- Metroid Prime Remastered
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Dead Space Remake
With the last month and a half of the year expected to be quieter, it’s the perfect time to check out any of these games you might have missed. That wraps up our coverage on the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 for now. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest from other award ceremonies in the days ahead.
Additionally, we’re excited to announce that we’ll be publishing our own “Best Games of 2023” lists in various categories throughout December 2023. Keep an eye out for those.
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- My journey into the world of video games began at four, when I was first introduced to arcade machines in 1996. Over the past decades, I've been fortunate enough to witness the incredible evolution of gaming, as it has grown from a niche hobby to a thriving art. Today, I'm dedicated to creating content that celebrates all genres of games. We will talk about them at Player.me.
