It is with no small amount of understatement that I can say this: 2023 has been one of the best years in video game history, all the way from AAA giants to heartfelt indies made on a shoestring budget. From the mountains of Faerun to the streets of Belle Époque France, from suburban homes on Earth to the vast field of stars, from The Grand Duchy of Rosaria to the Kingdom of Hyrule, gamers have been treated to an unbelievable series of bangers this year. GameLuster’s aim with The Lusties has always been to call attention to the games that have stood out from the crowd. This year, with so many fantastic titles, it’s been harder than ever. Chosen through a rigorous voting process from our staff, I present to you The 2023 Lusties winners!
Best Narrative – Baldur’s Gate 3
For outstanding storytelling, dialogue, and use of narrative that takes advantage of the gaming medium.
- Alan Wake 2
- A Space for the Unbound
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- El Paso Elsewhere
- Spider-Man 2
- The Fabulous Fear Machine
Hottest Character – Karlach, Baldur’s Gate 3
For a character in a game this year that got us all riled up and actin’ a fool.
- Jill Warrick (Final Fantasy XVI)
- Juri (Street Fighter 6)
- Karlach (Baldur’s Gate 3)
- Dave (The Diver)
- Professor Garlick (Hogwarts Legacy)
- Purah (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
- Solomon Reid (Cyberpunk 2077)
Excellence in Robotics – BD-1, Star Wars Jedi Survivor
For the best robot, automaton, or generally mechanical character from a video game this year. Beep boop.
- BD-1 (Star Wars: Jedi Survivor)
- CNMN (Hi-Fi Rush)
- Mineru (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
- The Core (Steamworld Build)
- VASCO (Starfield)
Biggest Disappointment – The Callisto Protocol
A game we had high hopes for that let us down one way or another. The winner of this award is forever banished to the Lustless Isles.
- The Callisto Protocol
- Exoprimal
- Redfall
- Romancelvania
- Starfield
- The Lord of the Rings: Gollum
Best New IP – Chants of Sennaar
For the best new world filled with original characters and places that we just couldn’t stop exploring.
- Chants of Sennaar
- Corn Kidz 64
- Dave the Diver
- Lies of P
- Starfield
Best Expansion – Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
For a DLC or expansion that released this year that builds on what made the original game great while providing something innovative to mark a new and memorable experience.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty
- Horizon: Burning Shores
- Phasmophobia: Ascension
- Rain World: Downpour
- The Case of the Golden Idol: The Spider of Lanka
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed
Best With Buddies – Baldur’s Gate 3
For a game in which playing alongside friends, whether on the couch or online, elevates the experience to incredible new heights.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Sons of the Forest
- Storyteller
- Street Fighter 6
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
The Barbenheimer Award – Marvel’s Superman Bros. 2
Awarded to the best pair of thematically disparate games that released on the same day this year.
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage/Detective Pikachu Returns
- Atomic Heart/Like a Dragon Ishin
- Bayonetta Origins/WWE 2k23
- Forspoken/Hi-Fi Rush
- Spider-Man 2/Super Mario Bros Wonder
Indie Game of the Year – Dredge
The best game from an independent developer with a smaller budget and team that stands up to and even surpasses the experiences AAA games can deliver.
- 9 Years of Shadows
- A Space for the Unbound
- Chants of Sennaar
- Corn Kidz 64
- Dredge
- El Paso Elsewhere
Best Villain – John Riccitiello, Unity
For the most formidable, detestable, memorable, and perhaps love-to-hate-them villain in gaming this year. The winner will represent evil and chaos in a fresh way and be remembered for years to come.
- Bobby Kotick, Activision
- Cazador (Baldur’s Gate 3)
- JK Rowling (Hogwarts Legacy)
- Rehydrated Ganondorf (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
- The guy who stole all those copies of Starfield from the USPS warehouse and went to prison forever just to show grainy footage of the game 3 days early
- John Riccitiello, Unity
Cozy Game of the Year – Smushi Come Home
The best game that just made us feel all comfy. This game helped us escape the stress of the real world and snuggle in to a good time.
- Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
- Escape from Mystwood Mansion
- My Little Universe
- Paquerette Down the Bunburrows
- Smushi Come Home
Excellence in Diversity – Venba
For stepping above the status quo in representing racial, gender, or sexual minorities in gaming as real, three-dimensional characters.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- In Stars and Time
- Jagged Alliance 3
- Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
- Venba
“I Can Fix Them” – Astarion, Baldur’s Gate 3
For a character in a game this year that is definitely not relationship material, but if you ignore all those pesky red flags I bet you could teach them to be decent person. What could go wrong?
- Astarion (Baldur’s Gate 3)
- Ganondorf (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
- Goro Majima (Like a Dragon Gaiden)
- Mr. Coo (The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo)
- The Princess (Slay the Princess)
Best Soundtrack – Final Fantasy XVI
For excellence in using score and soundtrack to capture and define moments and vibes.
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- El Paso Elsewhere
- Final Fantasy XVI
- Sprawl
- Starfield
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Best Game World – Earth, Pikmin 4
For a world that feels so fantastical, well-realized, and beautiful that we feel like we really went there. This can be a fictional world or a recreation of a real place, but these worlds are defined by immersion and attention to detail.
- Earth (Pikmin 4)
- Grand Chien (Jagged Alliance 3)
- Hyrule (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
- Solistia (Octopath Traveler II)
- The Forgotten Realms (Baldur’s Gate 3)
- The Many Pieces of Mr. Coo
Best Lead Performance – Neil Newbon as Astarion, Baldur’s Gate 3
The best performance for a lead role by an actor or actress in a game this year, whether it’s just voice or full body motion capture.
- Ben Starr – Clive Rosfield (Final Fantasy XVI)
- Nadji Jeter – Miles Morales (Spider-Man 2)
- Neil Newbon – Astarion (Baldur’s Gate 3)
- Roger Clark – Jack Leary (Fort Solis)
- Xalavier Nelson Jr. – James Savage (El Paso Elsewhere)
Best Supporting Performance – Amelia Tyler as The Narrator, Baldur’s Gate 3
The best performance for a supporting role by an actor or actress in a game this year, whether it’s just voice or full body motion capture.
- Amelia Tyler – The Dungeon Master (Baldur’s Gate 3)
- Elias Toufexis – Sam Coe (Starfield)
- Joseph Balderrama – Arlecchino (Lies of P)
- Julia Brown – Jessica Appleton (Fort Solis)
- Matt Mercer – Ganondorf (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
Best Boss Fight – Raphael, Baldur’s Gate 3
For the most memorable battle of the year. The winner will have multiple key elements such as an excellent villain, great design of the fight, and epic moments you still can’t get off your mind.
- Dagan Gera (Star Wars: Jedi Survivor)
- Demon Dragon (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
- Mimosa (Hi-Fi Rush)
- Nameless Puppet (Lies of P)
- Raphael (Baldur’s Gate 3)
Excellence in Art Design – Alan Wake 2
For a game that brings a notable art style, impressive theming, and visual cohesion to a world that makes you want to just keep taking it in.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Layers of Fear
- Rain World: Downpour
Best Kenergy – Sidon (Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)/Gale (Baldur’s Gate 3)
All you want to do is tell this person that they are Kenough. We had a tie, so why not embrace it?
- Asterion (Stray Gods: A Roleplaying Musical)
- Gale (Baldur’s Gate 3)
- Ken (Street Fighter)
- Peppino Spaghetti (Pizza Tower)
- Sidon (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom)
Best Living Game – Cyberpunk 2077
For a game that has been receiving continual updates, expansions, and new content for at least a year and is better than ever.
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Disney Dreamlight Valley
- Genshin Impact
- Marvel Snap
- No Man’s Sky
- Phasmophobia
The Best of the Rest – Sea of Stars
These are the best games this year that didn’t manage to nab a nomination in any of our categories, but still deserve recognition as some of the best of the year.
- Armored Core VI
- Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- Cassette Beasts
- Homebody
- Sea of Stars
Most Anticipated – Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
The games we are most excited for that are currently slated for release in 2024. Here’s our top 5 in order of HYPE!
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- Persona 3 Reload
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- Little Nightmares III
- The Wolf Among Us 2
Game of the Year – Baldur’s Gate 3
To celebrate the game this this year that showed the best gaming has to offer over any other; whether its innovative gameplay, a fantastic story, mastery of a genre or all of the above.
- Alan Wake 2
- Baldur’s Gate 3
- Final Fantasy XVI
- Lies of P
- Pikmin 4
- Spider-Man 2
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
What did you think of our winners and nominees? Any snubs, flubs, or massive dubs? Throw em in the comments below! Hope to see you next year and here’s to 2024 being as wild as 2023!
