Tunic is undeniably one of the best games to hit the market in 2022, with its clear inspiration from the likes of Zelda and Dark Souls. This charming title not only features a likeable protagonist but an ethereal world that’s a joy to explore from start to finish, and that’s why we’re so happy about the Tunic GDC 2023 nominations.
Not only is Tunic Team and Finji’s game up for the best debut award, it also has a chance to win Best Design and the biggest one of all, GDC’s Game of the Year accolade – just check out our Tunic review to see why. However, the game is up against some tough competition in these categories, as the likes of Elden Ring, Stray, and God of War Ragnarok fight for victory themselves.
Though it isn’t a nominee, Marvel Snap is an honourable mention for GOTY at the Game Developer Conference this year, and we simply can’t ignore how amazing that is. In fact, we couldn’t lavish enough praise on it in our Marvel Snap review. In fact, if you read our review, the reason behind Marvel Snap’s Best Design nomination becomes even more apparent.
As for the other categories, it’s the Social Impact Award that we have our eye on thanks to the nomination of OlliOlli World, a terrific skateboarding that we can’t help but love. Our OlliOlli World Switch review dives deep into the game, and it might just give you an idea of why it’s a nominee at these prestigious awards.
Who are the GDC 2023 nominees?
Below, we have a full list of this year’s GDC nominees:
Best Audio
- Elden Ring (FromSoftware Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment)
- God of War Ragnarök (Santa Monica Studio/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Horizon Forbidden West (Guerrilla Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Metal: Hellsinger (The Outsiders/Funcom)
- Stray (BlueTwelve Studio/Annapurna Interactive)
Best Debut
- Neon White (Angel Matrix/Annapurna Interactive)
- NORCO (Geography of Robots/Raw Fury)
- Stray (BlueTwelve Studio/Annapurna Interactive)
- Tunic (Tunic Team/Finji)
- Vampire Survivors (poncle)
Best Design
- Elden Ring (FromSoftware Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment)
- Marvel Snap (Second Dinner Studios, Inc./Nuverse)
- Neon White (Angel Matrix/Annapurna Interactive)
- Stray (BlueTwelve Studio/Annapurna Interactive)
- Tunic (Tunic Team/Finji)
Innovation Award
- Elden Ring (FromSoftware Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment)
- IMMORTALITY (Sam Barlow/Half Mermaid)
- Neon White (Angel Matrix/Annapurna Interactive)
- Pentiment (Obsidian Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios)
- Stray (BlueTwelve Studio/Annapurna Interactive)
Best Narrative
- God of War Ragnarök (Santa Monica Studio/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- I Was a Teenage Exocolonist (Northway Games/Finji)
- IMMORTALITY (Sam Barlow/Half Mermaid)
- Pentiment (Obsidian Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios)
- Return to Monkey Island (Terrible Toybox/Devolver Digital)
Social Impact Award
- As Dusk Falls (INTERIOR/NIGHT/Xbox Game Studios)
- Citizen Sleeper (Jump Over The Age/Fellow Traveller)
- Endling – Extinction Is Forever (Herobeat Studios/HandyGames)
- I Was A Teenage Exocolonist (Northway Games/Finji)
- OlliOlli World (Roll7/Private Division)
- We Are OFK (Team OFK)
Best Technology
- A Plague Tale: Requiem (Asobo Studio/Focus Entertainment)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Beenox, Treyarch, High Moon Studios, Sledgehammer Games, Activision Shanghai, Demonware, Toys for Bob/Activision)
- Elden Ring (FromSoftware Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment)
- God of War Ragnarök (Santa Monica Studio/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Horizon Forbidden West (Guerrilla Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
Best Visual Art
- Elden Ring (FromSoftware Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment)
- God of War Ragnarök (Santa Monica Studio/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Horizon Forbidden West (Guerrilla Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- Pentiment (Obsidian Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios)
- Stray (BlueTwelve Studio/Annapurna Interactive)
Game of the Year
- Elden Ring (FromSoftware Inc./Bandai Namco Entertainment)
- God of War Ragnarök (Santa Monica Studio/Sony Interactive Entertainment)
- IMMORTALITY (Sam Barlow/Half Mermaid)
- Pentiment (Obsidian Entertainment/Xbox Game Studios)
- Stray (BlueTwelve Studio/Annapurna Interactive)
- Tunic (Tunic Team/Finji)
So who are you rooting for this year? Let us know. In the meantime, check out our list of the best Switch RPGs to see what grand adventures you can embark on.