GVG's Game of the Year 2023 Category Awards

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[@loggieduvs]

I know it's because nobody on the panel has played it, but it feels like there's such a hole without any BG3 representation.

[@byronlyons3548]

Steve said he already played it. Didn't like it was his response.

[@KollegeJansen2]

The year is short and the life as a dad time consuming. They have to be more successful, so someone can join who are into pc gaming and pen & paper inspired games.

[@KollegeJansen2]

@@byronlyons3548 he said it wasn’t his kind of game. I think that’s a difference - but yeah he played it

[@rekc_bcq4816]

I can always rely of GVG to mention Xenoblade

[@trewerd]

Fav Soundtrack of '23 is Octopath 2, which also has my favorite new character, Partitio Yellowil. My most anticipated title of 2024? While I am high anticipating FF7 Rebirth, I gotta give it to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

[@SuperBerry123]

Yes, some love for Yakuza.

[@shelbyherring92]

Partitio Yellowil... One part George Bailey, one part Makunochi Ippo. Love him.

[@JEANS__]

xenoblade narrative always goated, happy it was the most picked answer.

[@heavydonkeykong5190]

I really need to find the time to play Future Redeemed. XC3 was my GOTY last year, and this year has just been really busy for both games and IRL.

[@TheBlueGoldenHawk]

What about the combat though? I couldn’t take more than 10-12 hrs of xc3 due to the combat being super tedious to me. I’m normally understanding if something isn’t for me, but I genuinely don’t get the appeal of the combat in those games. Maybe I’m not getting something? Story and presentation seem outstanding though

[@heavydonkeykong5190]

@@TheBlueGoldenHawk Admittedly, the combat has rarely been part of what I love about these games.

[@TheBlueGoldenHawk]

@@heavydonkeykong5190 gotcha, yeah I guess for me those games are way too long for me to tolerate the combat just for the good parts

[@JEANS__]

@@TheBlueGoldenHawk I enjoy the combat, and 3 has the best. it’s more proactive because of the character swapping so you don’t have to wait for cooldowns. And i find cancelling all the attacks into each other quite enjoyable. Swapping clssses and builds removes repetition and overkill exp and bonus exp means you don’t have to grind so you really only have to do require fights even if you aren’t huge on it. even chain attacks is more of a turn based strategic style minmaxing for the most damage. in xb3 they’re very broken and how a majority of the bosses are done so there’s that if you don’t like the regular battles. they’re unlocked at the start of chapter 3 I believe.

[@Alrek1245]

Time stamps would’ve been nice

[@darudesandstrom1067]

Yeah, I can’t watch these guys for pre than ten minutes without falling asleep. Someone should do a summary in the comments

[@TheNintendoFingers]

Great video!! I’d also love to see a discussion dedicated to the games all of you have played in 2023 that came from your backlog from previous years. Would be interesting to listen to. Anyways, have a happy holidays!

[@Blazethh]

Don't forget to try out Pizza Tower! Hopefully it comes to Switch (2?) next year, it's my GOTY

[@zgeiselh6797]

As much as I like the voice acting in Spider-Man 2, Peter sounds like he’s taking a shit while talking and swinging. Miles is just screaming

[@juanluismendoza8655]

😆

[@MUSQUIZanimation]

Shoutout to Atomic Heart. It’s absolutely NOT my type of game, first person open world shooter. Bleh! But I loved it so much!!! Underrated. Great soundtrack! Fantastic shop theme. And Karma is a bop. “Crispy critters!”

[@dylanvo6394]

Derrick has a point, Super Mario bros. Wonder best attributes is the artstyle; sure it just a way to showcases something actually "New" rather the same old style we've been seeing for decades. However, Wonder has so much charm in its artstyle and has a lot oflittle cute idle animations that gives it its own identity.

[@toddmarshall2925]

My game of the year is F-Zero 99 because it's the only 2023 game I've played. What can I say, it's free. I'm a cheapskate first and a gamer second.

[@mariotennisman]

When I hear people speak of the radio moment in Future Redeemed, it's not the actual references to past work blending in with the Xenoblade "verse" that has me impressed but the analytic juxtaposition commentary you can make between the conflict reported on the radio and what Nael describes to Matthew as this "perfect" world they now inhabit. Alwayd amazing textual narative representation they have in these games, it's just amazing

[@twincherries6698]

Exactly, its insane

[@Adam-fe1yr]

No Octopath Traveler 2 for best visuals…?

[@CrowTRobot]

The picks they gave were better. But they gave Octopath a lot of love in other categories.

[@mariotennisman]

I understand their decisions really. The HD-2D style they have going is gorgeous and Octopath 2 pushed it even moreso. I think their utilization of it did lead to some fatigue in the sense it won't feel as new anymore. The Star Ocean Second Story remake on the other kinda felt also like a great evolution of the style too. Anywoo, this year was strong in every department. Octopath 2 is my favorite game this year by default of me not finishing Zelda TOTK yet

[@enorma29]

this dedicated like, 5 times more time to the actual awards than TGA did

[@certainlycity4906]

I don't know, I think Good Vibes Gaming needed more world premieres.

[@Aaronrules380]

Hot take: Garl is boring and kind of a Gary Stu whose only “flaw” is being too normal and weak for the adventure they’re on, which is pretty much always treated as a positive of him being so brave and courageous. I feel like the main thing keeping players from disliking him is that he’s juxtaposed next to a cast of literal cardboard caricatures with the entire rest of the playable cast

[@shelbyherring92]

Fair point. I would argue that people just like him because he is practically a himbo: loyal, strong, kind, and is a great cook. But I digress, that's really people's main complaint with the game... the characters being a bit flat. Especially the main two, Zale and Valere. Personally, I don't have a problem with characters like Morain, Resh'an, Serai, Brugaves, or Erlina being a tad one-dimensional, as they do have arcs in the story that do make sense - it's mostly just Zale and Valere being devoid of personality that undercuts everything. Like, they're the main characters and they only get two scenes that really give them anything to work with, maybe three. And I get it, it's a short and sweet RPG based on the two most beginner friendly, on the rails RPGs in history: Super Mario RPG and Chrono Trigger. And as wonderful as those games were, they too suffered from the same issues. Anyways, sorry for the long winded reply. TL;DR - It's a fair critique. Garl is still best boy imo, but I agree the writing of some of the characters needed a bit more work.

[@chunkymonkey7983]

I agree 100% except for your final sentence. I thought that the cast apart from the main trio is very strong. I don't think I liked garl though because it felt like the game was forcing him to be likeable, rather than making him q naturally likeable character.

[@chm.1574]

I totally agree about Octopath Traveler 2 music and overall is really the best in JRPG category

[@iamskibble]

This is like the 5th movie ranking/giving awards to generally the same games in this channel this month, maybe they can be consolidated next year?

[@TaliesinMyrddin]

I'm actually kinda worried about Rebirth being more open world. I've never had good experiences with story from anything more open than Xenoblade, and the story's the main thing I'm looking forward to. Hopefully it's like the latter FF13 series games where there's a linear quest with a ton of sidequests in optional areas in a big connective field.

[@leonro]

No way you'll have an unfocused story in FF7R2, they need to sell you the third game after all.

[@mrmiesfies3941]

RDR2 had that thing with the two dialog options in 2018. There we had two variations for closeup or far away. You also have most quests in two completely different variations, depending you being in Endgame or not. So in fact RDR2 has four versions of dialog.

[@jacksonicedragon]

So awesome to hear the Genshin Fontaine arc brought up here for best narrative! It ended up being my favorite story of the year too and I was really impressed by how it was even better than stuff like Spider-Man 2 or FF16.

[@frankhemstra634]

Gunner wright for best performance in Dead space remake for me. He recorded all the audio tracks 3 times. Super convincing and well performed.

[@davidj1404]

Seeing Ghost Trick get absolutely slept on and left off everyone at GVG’s GOTY lists and these awards makes me so so sad. Especially after Jon said in his 21 best switch games of the year video that it may have even been the best game released this year. I know this is me being a biased and butthurt fan, but seeing DLC like Future Redeemed and Valhalla get picked as the best narrative of the year, while Ghost Trick, one of the best game narratives of all time, continues to languish in obscurity, stung very hard. Even though it’s a mostly an HD port, the remastered soundtrack alone, along with the fact that this year’s release was the first chance many people (including myself!) had to experience this game, makes it worthy of consideration to me and makes its exclusion a tremendous snub. To be clear, I have tremendous respect and love for everyone at GVG and know it’s hard to get to everything in such a stacked year for games, but it just seems like such a glaring omission that it never even got a passing mention, especially given how hyped I remember the team was when it got announced. If you are reading this PLAY GHOST TRICK!! It’s such a wonderful combination of exceptional narrative and gameplay, with a super charming cast of characters and soundtrack too. You can’t make a better purchase to celebrate the new year imo

[@Whirlwhind1]

Bayonetta Origins mentioned. I'm satisfied.

[@jeroen7x954]

I guess Im one of the few who did not really care for Ben Starr's performance as Clive. Like the guy but I personally don't get it

[@TheBlueGoldenHawk]

I thought he was fantastic in the role. Stoic and badass, yet vulnerable and emotive at times

[@dgc1570]

Yeah, I don't get why American Nightmare wasn't part of remaster either

[@SliminBlue]

Hearing Guilty Gear shouted out for its soundtrack makes me so happy, as much as it doesn't count since it's a 2021 game it continues to have exclusively bangers for every DLC character. Elphelt's theme Extras especially is a standout this year, as mentioned it's the weirdest fusion of J-pop and death metal but it has a couple REALLY weird references in there. There's two lyrical sections in particular, one in the second verse and one in the chorus, that when you listen to the way they're sung, they sound VERY similar to All I Want for Christmas is You and Amazing Grace respectively, and for as much as I loathe All I Want for Christmas is You, I just love the Amazing Grace section too much to really care about the former. It's absolutely because Elphelt's birthday is one of the 3 Christmas birthdays (yes there's three of them and all of them are references to Guns N' Roses, this series is as wild as it sounds) and Daisuke, the composer, character designer, creator AND writer for Guilty Gear absolutely loves making tons of musical references in the series. Heck, it's a bit off topic but it's a community joke that for as rock/metal Guilty Gear is Daisuke is actually a bigger Queen fan than anything, and you can see that most easily in the fact that the protagonist Sol Badguy just straight up steals one of Freddie Mercury's nicknames of Mr Bad Guy. TLDR, go listen to Guilty Gear Strive's soundtrack, it might not be this year but it's one of my favorite game soundtracks of all time and people adore it for a very good reason

[@FeiFongWang]

It wasn't for me. It sounded like wannabe dad rock sung by a man that doesn't know English. Had to turn off the music while I played.

[@SearchmanDS]

Better awards than Geoff's show. Doesn't take up several hours but it gives time for each category to breathe.

[@SolidPython2099]

I love Steve but damn, Insomniac did right be Venom? I thought they absolutely butchered his character lol He's nothing like the comic book Venom and his stuff was absolutely rushed and very poorly presented imo

[@SuperBerry123]

Agree with Jon, Metaphor looks so incredibly fresh and new and brings in new ideas to the genre that i just can’t wait to play it. Setting and themes also seem very promising. Now they only gotta deliver on the characters and story and it will surely be one of candidates for GOTY.

[@CrowTRobot]

Ash- Alan Wake 2 is hard coded for a person of your tastes to love. No rush, but I cannot wait to hear what you think of it .

[@philosophyoftrucking]

I’m jealous of all the games the get to play.

[@Big_Man_W]

Comment for algorithm‼️‼️

[@GentlemanGamer94]

Man... Between Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Persona 3 Reload and FFVII Rebirth, Jan/Feb is looking stacked for amazing games. Shout-out to Another Code Recollection and the Apollo Justice Trilogy also coming out in January. Those both look like super solid remasters, and I'm looking forward to giving em a go 🙂

[@shigerumiyamoto9612]

Kinda funny everyone's GOTY was TotK 😂

[@chooongusbug724]

It was an incredible game to be fair

[@shigerumiyamoto9612]

​@@chooongusbug724oh yeah. Its my goty too

[@jaretco6423]

I'll be honest. I found the game kinda overrated. Not that it is a bad game. But it has problems and ain't no way is it the #1 2023's Game of the Year.

[@chooongusbug724]

@@jaretco6423 you just can't help yourself smh

[@jaretco6423]

@chooongusbug724 Oh quit your whining you big baby. Not every Zelda games will win GotY.

[@StewNWT]

The spectacle of FF16 is designed to hide how shallow a game it is

[@yung_ant]

Wow, Daniel, no honorable mention for Fire Emblem Engage soundtrack?

[@Julio3324]

My pick for visuals this year is hands-down Metroid Prime Remastered. One of the best looking games on the Switch.

[@64bitratchet49]

As someone who couldn't get into FF7 Remake back in 2020, would you recommend playing the original first? I've never played it.

[@KollegeJansen2]

Play the original if you like classic rpgs. There is a lot of dated mechanics and visuals but in the end a great experience. The story and narrative still is very important and well made. And the good part: the remake is more a reimagining, so the original is still relevant

[@GamerFunOriginallyAarush]

Merry Christmas!

[@mutantmangoman]

Derrick thank you for the Elphelt shoutout!!! She has such cool theming and her song is a huge part of that!

[@jamalpurrier4760]

Damn. I think from what I've seen of GOTY convos and videos online. Dead Space Remake has got to be one of the most forgotten games kf the year lol. Sad cause it did soooo much to inprove on the original and is such an amazing game.

[@chunkymonkey7983]

Probably because it's niche and came out so early this year.

[@nickprewitt492]

Merry Christmas to the Good Vibes Gaming crew.

[@TheInfinityMaster1]

My top 3 games for 2023 are: 1) *The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie* (on PC/Steam) -> Personal GOTY 2023. 2) *Sea of Stars.* 3) *Metroid Prime Remastered.*

[@chunkymonkey7983]

Mine were the same, but legend of Zelda over legend of heroes 😂

[@datalphalion]

Apologies in advance to any folks expecting Baldur’s Gate 3, Dead Space Remake, Mortal Kombat 1, or Star Wars Jedi Survivor lmao.

[@MrValor]

surprised that none of them have played BG3, but hopefully soon! its a very good game

[@chooongusbug724]

​@@MrValorI think Ash did but he didn't like it, which is fine. It's definitely not for everyone

[@MrValor]

@@chooongusbug724 i agree! you also need to invest a lot of time

[@CrowTRobot]

@@chooongusbug724that was Steve. And people wildly overreacted and bumrushed the comments.

[@CrowTRobot]

To be fair, I haven't heard ANYONE list three of those games on their GOTY lists.

[@BoompaWorld]

GVG crew thank you for being there for me all year!

[@Uhcip]

I hope Red 13 gets best cat next year and not ranked as a best dog

[@HipnotikHylian]

I don't trust anybody who says that TOTK doesn't have any new songs. We didn't play the same game if you think it's the same soundtrack as BOTW. Actual clown take right there 🤡

[@chunkymonkey7983]

That credits music bro 😩

[@lukasmeza2352]

Totk is goty. The end

[@matthewtallarico8878]

Wouldn’t mind if this was even longer! Great job this year guys, Merry Christmas!!!

[@YouTubeChannel-iq5to]

Can't stop spoiling Xenoblade Redeemed, can you?

[@enorma29]

As a Zelda fan, losing GOTY is a good thing. You never want talented people resting on their laurels. This will keep nintendo pushing the boundaries.

[@heavydonkeykong5190]

Besides, as good of an honor as it is, the award hardly dictates anything. I'm sure loads of people would still have BG3 as their GOTY even if it lost. I wasn't surprised when BG3 won, believe that it is a deserved win, and have no shame saying TOTK is my personal GOTY.

[@Ninjaananas]

​@@heavydonkeykong5190 The award is pretty much meaningless.

[@AREAlhero]

First off, Nintendo doesn't care about the failure of an awards show hosted by a nepobaby lol. Secondly, this isn't true in any capacity. The belief that giving people owed recognition makes them complacent is not only proven untrue from centuries of psychological studies but also explicitly pro-capitalist propaganda that keeps workers from getting the respect they're owed. Thirdly, this concept doesn't even work logically. Take this year for example. Baldur's Gate 3 won this year, so do you believe now Larien will rest on their laurels and stop pushing boundaries? lmao

[@Ninjaananas]

@@AREAlhero The point about capitalism propaganda is very intresting. Where do you have that from?

[@AREAlhero]

@@Ninjaananas There's a wealth of academic analyses of the subject over the past few decades, but the gist of the matter is that capitalists (read: CEOs, the people who benefit the most from the workers' labor) want to be praised for the success of a company, despite the fact that they did none of the actual work producing it. This depowers the workers and makes them be viewed as providing less value than the capitalists. In artistic fields such as game development, this false belief is even more ridiculous.

[@roastbowls]

Hot take. F-zero 99 sucks

[@sirmel11]

I agree.

[@enorma29]

yeah, if only it had local splitscreen multiplayer... but alas, it's a gimmick made to justify NSO.

[@chunkymonkey7983]

Nahh