Summary
UPDATE: Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon won Best Action Game at The Game Awards 2023!
AsThe Game Awards 2023approaches, it’s becoming clear that many of the award races will be neck-and-neck, and Best Action is no different. Just like in the case of theTGA’s Best Action/Adventure award, the nominees for Best Action are all critically acclaimed, commercially successful, and highlight what makes the genre special.
Although gaming in 2023 seems to have been dominated by adventure games likeThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdomand open-world RPGs likeBaldur’s Gate 3, the year has featured just as many pure action titles. These games are focused on high-octane gameplay that is generally more linear in nature than open-ended experiences likeBG3,TOTK, orStarfield, andThe Game Awardsevaluates these titles primarily through the lens of combat. On top of this essential focus on combat, all the Best Action nominees feature unique systems and design choices that make them viable candidates for the Best Action award.
2023 Best Action Nominees
Armored Core 6: Fires of Rubicon
AlthoughArmored Core 6breaks FromSoftware’s GOTY streak, it is still a fantastic experience that is more than deserving of its nomination for Best Action Game.AC6follows the resounding success of last year’sElden Ring, offering a unique experience that likely came as a shock to many die-hardSoulsfans. Indeed, the game takes a considerably different approach than the developer’s post-Demon’s Soulsreleases, opting for a frenetic, intense combat system.
Though the combat stands in stark contrast from the slow and deliberate mechanics FromSoftware is famous for, it is nonetheless exciting and engaging, buttressed by deep and satisfying customization options. As such,Armored Core 6has proven to be successful with bothArmored Coreveterans and newcomers alike.
Though it took a notoriously long time to get here,Dead Island 2proves to be surprisingly good, serving up low-stakes, tongue-in-cheek action. Popular opinion doesn’t paint the game’s narrative in the best light, but it’s not a game that takes itself too seriously, instead aiming to provide players with a bombastic, explosive playground, where they can smash zombies to bits with unique melee weapons or blast them away with satisfying firearms.Dead Island 2’s sun-soaked, satirical rendition of Los Angeles can be explored in co-op with up to two other players, which can further enhance the experience. Overall,Dead Island 2isn’t likely to change the world, but it is certainly a fun experience and a well-crafted action game.
Ghostrunner 2
Ghostrunner 2is a vastly improved versionof its 2020 predecessor, cranking up the intensity, visuals, and unforgettably brutal combat. The one-hit-kill combat of the first game returns, though the player now has more options at their disposal when dispatching enemies, solving puzzles, and traversing the environment. One of the most exciting and publicized additions is the high-speed motorcycle, which opens the door to thrilling traversal setpieces that are in keeping with the game’s relentless approach to gameplay.
In addition to the motorcycle sections and general gameplay improvements,Ghostrunner 2’s improved storytellingmakes for a more engaging and evocative narrative experience, bringing its intriguing world-building and characters into focus. All in all, the game feels like a notable upgrade from the firstGhostrunner, though it never takes its attention too far away from what makes it truly special: its unforgiving, satisfying combat.
Hi-Fi Rush
If there were an award for “Most Pleasant Surprise” at The Game Awards,Hi-Fi Rushwould no doubt be the strongest contender. Coming seemingly out of nowhere, this rhythm-based beat-em-up from Tango Gameworks quickly gained popularity, due in part to its day-one release on Game Pass.Hi-Fi Rush’s weighty combatis supported by its outstanding soundtrack, delightful art direction, and charming narrative; these strengths combine to make a game that is singular and bristling with personality while being a bona fide blast to play. It’s one of the best action games of 2023, and one of the best things to come out of Tango Gameworks.
Remnant 2
Often described as “Dark Soulswith guns,” even by its creators, theRemnantduology is one of the most interesting franchises in modern gaming. 2019’sRemnant: From the Ashesturned more than a few heads thanks to its meaty combat, satisfying gameplay loop, and well-wrought progression system; it would appear that its sequel has further sharpened these strong points.
ThoughRemnant 2’s suite of collectible gearmay conjure images of a franchise likeDestiny, it’s a wholly unique approach to the “looter-shooter” formula, placing an emphasis on meaningful, thoughtful combat and cooperation over everything else. The game’s many improvements over its predecessor, combined with what the series has always done right, make it a must-play for action fans, and easily one of the best multiplayer experiences of 2023.
Final Prediction
Since the release ofDemon’s Soulsin 2009, it seems like FromSoftware can do no wrong in the eyes of many gamers around the world. This was made exceedingly clear byElden Ring, which took the gaming world by storm and set upFromSoftware’s continued expansion and output. While it might not be the phenomenon thatElden Ringwas, there should be no question thatArmored Core 6: Fires of Rubiconis a triumphant return for the franchise and one that sticks wholeheartedly to its vision.
The moment-to-moment gameplay is just as enjoyable as players have come to expect from FromSoftware, but the experience is equally defined by its customization options, which allow for a level of creativity and player expression that is unparalleled in action games. On top of all this, the game is packaged in a delightfully unsettling atmosphere, supported by FromSoftware’s typically obtuse storytelling, which helps put it above its stiff competition and makes it a solid choice for the Best Action award atThe Game Awards 2023.
MORE:The Game Awards 2023: Predicting the Game of the Year Winner
