Highlights
- The Game Awards 2023 celebrates the best games of the year while also promoting upcoming releases, generating excitement for future titles.
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is highly anticipated due to its predecessor's success, impressive graphics, and continuation of the beloved story.
- Hades 2, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Star Wars Outlaws, and Tekken 8 are also nominees for Most Anticipated Game and have garnered significant excitement and interest in the gaming community.
UPDATE: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth won Most Anticipated Game at The Game Awards 2023!
Although 2023 has been an incredible year for games, The Game Awards 2023, and the game industry as a whole, is already looking to the future. It might be hard to top 2023's gaming output, but there are still plenty of 2024 releases to look forward to, and the nominees for Most Anticipated Game reflect this.
The main purpose of The Game Awards is to celebrate the year's best games, honoring releases that have made the biggest impact. However, the event has also served as a platform to promote upcoming games, with high-profile releases like Elden Ring and Death Stranding 2 making major appearances at previous TGAs. Indeed, The Game Awards seems to embrace the ever-present gaming tradition of hype, ramping up excitement for upcoming releases. This aspect of the ceremony is supported by the Most Anticipated Game award, which has previously featured notable titles like 2023 GOTY contenders Tears of the Kingdom and Resident Evil 4 Remake.
2023 Most Anticipated Game Nominees
- Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
- Hades 2
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Star Wars Outlaws
- Tekken 8
The Game Awards 2023: Predicting The Best Action Game Winner [UPDATE]
The Game Awards 2023 will be taking a look at five of the year's most beloved action experiences, granting one the title of Best Action Game.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy 7 Remake was one of the most well-received games of 2020, launching to rapturous applause by both fans of the original and newcomers. Square Enix had a mammoth task on its hands with this remake, as the original game is widely considered to be one of the best RPGs of all time. Even so, the FF7 Remake reworked iconic characters, ushered in a satisfying combat system that cleverly blended real-time combat with classic RPG fundamentals, and presented a level of graphical fidelity that still looks cutting edge three years after its release.
One caveat with this game was the fact that it wasn't actually the full Final Fantasy 7 story, but only the first part of it. Four years on, players will be getting their hands on the continuation of that story, which will aim to recapture the charm, polish, and excitement of its predecessor. Hype is through the roof for this follow-up to the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, making it a strong pick for Most Anticipated Game at The Game Awards.
Hades 2
Hades 2 is already a big leap for Supergiant Games, as it's the first sequel in the company's history, despite the developer releasing critical and commercial hits like Bastion and Transistor. The fact that Hades 2 is even in development speaks volumes about the kind of game that Hades is, the extent of its success, and Supergiant's passion for the IP.
Though a sequel is uncharted territory for the beloved developer, it seems to have the full confidence of gaming audiences; for many fans, Supergiant has yet to release a bad or even mediocre game, with Hades being the pinnacle of its output. There are still a lot of questions to be answered about Hades 2's story, gameplay, and features, but most fans of the first game are undeniably excited about the prospect of a sequel.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
The seed that Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio planted with the original Yakuza games has blossomed into a branching franchise that encompasses series such as Like a Dragon and the Judgment detective games. Like a Dragon is the direct successor to the traditional Yakuza games, continuing the main organized crime storyline, this time with Ichiban Kasuga as protagonist.
After taking detours with Like a Dragon: Ishin! and Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, the current-day story will return with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. This new Like a Dragon game plans to be bigger, more expansive, and more detailed than previous entries, while still featuring the series' signature cocktail of irreverent charm, absurdist humor, and melodrama. Like a Dragon is a truly one-of-a-kind franchise that has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and Infinite Wealth looks to be just as entertaining and endearing as its predecessors.
The Game Awards 2023: Predicting The Best Adaptation Winner [UPDATE]
2023 has seen its fair share of video game adaptations, and one will have the honor of being names Best Adaptation at The Game Awards 2023.
Star Wars Outlaws
When it comes to hype, it's hard to top a franchise like Star Wars. Star Wars Outlaws is a promising title coming out of Ubisoft's Massive Entertainment, following space scoundrel and career criminal Kay Vess as she plans an ambitious heist. The open-world title will allow players to explore several Star Wars planets, which look to be rendered in the stunning detail one would expect from a modern AAA game. Open-world fatigue and questions about Ubisoft's approach to game design may have some gamers skeptical, but Star Wars Outlaws, at least at this stage, looks well-crafted, visually impressive, and ambitious.
Tekken 8
Tekken 7 was a smash-hit with fans of the franchise, with many considering it to be the definitive 3D fighter of the modern era. Although Tekken 7 still holds up remarkably well, Tekken 8 is looking to further polish and expand the series' formula, evolving it while, hopefully, retaining what makes the franchise so beloved. The game will feature updated graphics and additions to its already robust character roster, alongside new mechanics like Tekken 8's Heat system and a health recovery feature similar to Bloodborne's where players can regain health by attacking enemies.
Final Prediction
While countless fans are looking forward to all the games nominated for Most Anticipated Game, there's a good chance Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be taking home the award at The Game Awards 2023. There was already plenty of hype built around the game due to the success of 2020's Final Fantasy Remake, and all the promo materials and gameplay reveals that have since followed have only cranked up the anticipation. There may be some question marks surrounding the story of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, but it's still likely to be one of 2024's biggest releases.
