Summary
UPDATE: Alan Wake 2 won Best Game Direction at The Game Awards 2023!
The Game Awards is almost here, and this year it’ll be celebrating its 10th anniversary, hopefully with a show worthy of the occasion. WhileGrand Theft Auto 6might be beating it to the punch a little, there are still plenty of high-profile announcements rumored to be on the cards for2023’s Game Awards ceremony. But, of course, the awards themselves should come first and foremost, and just like every other category this year, The Game Awards 2023’s Best Game Direction category is filled with worthy contenders.
A term that seems pretty simple on paper, but is actually pretty vague when it’s thought about for a little longer,The Game Awardsofficially describes its Best Game Direction award as one given for “outstanding creative vision and innovation in game direction and design,” essentially meaning that all elements of the game come together to form a cohesive and clear experience. All five nominees in 2023’s Game Awards Best Game Direction category fit into this description well, though there are one or two whose vision stands out just a little more than the rest.
2023 Best Game Direction Nominees
Alan Wake 2
A sequel 13 years in the making,Alan Wake 2is well worth the wait, and it’s all down to the singular creative vision that Remedy Entertainment had. For years now, Remedy has attempted to deliver truly innovative and groundbreaking video game experiences, and it feels likeAlan Wake 2is really the culmination of all the studio’s hard work. From a riveting story told expertly through a dual-narrative structure, to a bold leap into the realm of survival horror, to pushing forward the Remedy Connected Universe in a massive way,Alan Wake 2realizes Remedy’s visionfrom start to finish. That gives it an excellent chance in this Best Game Direction category.
Baldur’s Gate 3
A game that needs no introduction,Baldur’s Gate 3is the biggest surprise in gaming of 2023. In a year filled with highly anticipated sequels to decades-old franchises, it’sBaldur’s Gate 3that’s become the year’s most discussed title, and for good reason. With a bold level of transparency that isn’t often seen in the gaming space, Larian Studios has managed to deliver one of the most complex and engagingD&Dgamesever made, bringing the tabletop game to life. When it comes to innovation,Baldur’s Gate 3has it in spades, with the sheer wealth of possible dialogue choices and story outcomes giving the game more player-freedom than maybe any other RPG ever made.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Delivering an excellent sequel, Insomniac Games really knocked it out of the park withMarvel’s Spider-Man 2. It’s clear that Insomniac heard every bit of fan feedback about itslast twoSpider-Mangames, and it’s used that to create a sequel that continues to build on its predecessor’s great qualities, while also fixing elements that fans didn’t like previously. It’s clear that Insomniac had a cohesive path forward when developingMarvel’s Spider-Man 2, but its lack of major innovation might end up hindering it in this particular category.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
The first 2D side-scrollingMariogame in a decade,Super Mario Bros. Wonderis a game that’s certainly worthy of all its recent praise. From its visuals, to its score, to its platforming mechanics, every facet ofSuper Mario Bros. Wonderhas been refined to near-perfection, and it’s a level of quality that hasn’t been seen in a 2DMariogame for quite some time. However, whileSuper Mario Bros. Wonder’s main Wonder Flower gimmickis a lot of fun, it doesn’t really innovate on the usual 2DMarioformula all that much, and much likeSpider-Man 2, that could cost it the Game Award here.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The very definition of great game design,The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdominnovates and expands in just about every way imaginable, and many ways that aren’t. Not content with just doubling the map size with its Depths,Tears of the Kingdomalso adds in Sky Islands, along with a handful of new abilities that drastically alter the coreZeldagameplay formula, and have the potential to revolutionize the entire action/adventure genre once again. However, some fans do feel as thoughTears of the Kingdomdidn’t go far enough with its story, dungeon design, or Hyrule map, though it still has a good chance of winning the Best Game Direction Game Awards category.
Final Prediction
When all is said and done, there are three games out of the nominated five that truly stand a chance of winning the Best Game Direction category at this year’s Game Awards, with those beingAlan Wake 2,Baldur’s Gate 3, andThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.Alan Wake 2really shows Remedy at its best, and exemplifies how a great central vision can elevate a game far past expectations.Baldur’s Gate 3has breathed new life intothe Western RPG genre, really delivering a video game experience unlike any other.The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomis a practically perfect sequel in almost every way. Any of these games could walk away with the Best Game Direction trophy.
If there’s one game that has the edge, it’sBaldur’s Gate 3. Innovative in both direction and design, and with a clear creative vision running throughout its core, there’s no denying thatBaldur’s Gate 3ticks all of the boxes for The Game Awards' own description ofthe Best Game Direction category. With so much positive discourse still surrounding it, this award seems like yet another thatBaldur’s Gate 3will sweep this year.
