As we navigate the dynamic landscape of mobile gaming in 2023, a select few titles have risen above the rest, showcasing innovation, immersive gameplay, and an undeniable impact on the industry. Indeed, despite some failures during the year, the successes have showcased that mobile gaming is continuing to evolve from a simple pastime into a more immersive experience that rivals traditional gaming platforms. Join us as we explore the nominees for this year’s The Game Awards Best Mobile Game of 2023.
The winner of the The Game Awards Best Mobile Game of 2023 is set to be announced on the 7th of December 2023. You can check out the nominees for all the other categories on the Official Website, and even have your say on who should be the winner!
Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis
Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis ingeniously unfolds the iconic 1997 Final Fantasy VII narrative through monthly episodic installments. It integrates the entire compilation of the Final Fantasy VII franchise, adding depth with an original storyline centered around new characters Glenn, Matt, and Lucia.
The game’s presentation, borrowing elements from Final Fantasy VII Remake, offers a visual spectacle, and its non-linear timeline exploration allows players to pick and choose the sections they wish to play. The battle system, paying homage to the original Active Time Battle, strikes a balance between nostalgia and contemporary mobile gaming. Ever Crisis is free-to-play but features loot boxes with random weapons and costumes.
Honkai Star Rail
Honkai Star Rail embraces classic Japanese RPG gameplay, featuring turn-based combat where players strategically assemble a team of four characters, each with unique abilities and elemental affinities affecting damage dealt. The game combines elements of open-world exploration and dungeons, incorporating a gacha system akin to its predecessor, Genshin Impact.
Set in a science-fantasy universe, the storyline revolves around Paths, guided by deity-like Aeons, and Pathstriders who follow these ideals. Antagonists like Nanook lead the destructive Path, while conflicts emerge among different Paths, introducing a dynamic narrative. The game promises an engaging mix of strategic battles and a compelling narrative within its fantastical universe.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure
A delightful life-simulation game by Sanrio and Sunblink, Hello Kitty Island Adventure immerses players in the charming world of Hello Kitty and friends. It unfolds on a tropical island where the characters embark on a vacation but end up restoring an abandoned theme park, Big Adventures Park.
Players create avatars to explore, swim, fly, cook, craft, and bond with Sanrio characters. Decorate your cabin, take pictures, and enjoy 2-player co-op. The game’s promise lies in constant updates, introducing new characters and content for a continuously enchanting experience. It really is one of the Best Mobile Cozy Games out there that fans of Animal Crossing will just love.
Monster Hunter Now
Monster Hunter Now takes the thrill of hunting monsters to the real world, utilizing players’ actual locations as the backdrop for the game map. Divided into different terrains like forest, swamp, and desert, the map offers a unique interactive experience. Players engage in combat by tapping on monsters, with large monster battles limited to 75 seconds, creating a dynamic and fast-paced encounter.
Resource nodes scattered across the map allow players to collect materials for crafting armor and weapons. The game introduces passive features, providing resources and marking monsters for later combat during inactive periods. With augmented reality camera mode and a variety of terrains and monsters, Monster Hunter Now brings the hunt into your daily life.
Terra Nil
Published by Netflix Games, Terra Nil is a distinctive take on the city-building genre, shifting the focus from expansion to ecosystem restoration. Inspired by the rewilding movement and climate concerns, the game challenges players to transform barren wastelands into thriving ecosystems.
Wind turbines, toxin scrubbers, and water pumps play crucial roles in reviving the environment. As players convert wasteland into lush landscapes, they earn points for further upgrades. The game evolves as players progress, allowing the creation of diverse biomes teeming with wildlife. The final phase introduces a unique challenge: recycling buildings to construct an airship, departing the map, and leaving behind a rewilded paradise with no trace of human presence.
Honorable Mentions: Forgotten Gems of 2023
While the nominees bask in the limelight, let’s not overlook other outstanding titles from the year. Indeed the following games are ones that we here at OneChilledGamer were a little unlucky to not make The Game Awards Nominees for Best Mobile Game of 2023. Be sure to let us know of any others in the comments that you think should have been included!
- Harry Potter: Magic Awakened: This collectible card role-playing game immerses players in the magical universe of Harry Potter. As new students at Hogwarts, players customize their characters, buy supplies at Diagon Alley, and engage in magical duels with known characters from the series. The game’s strategic focus on utilizing cards for spells adds depth, challenging players to combine them strategically to unleash powerful magic in duels against other characters.
- Dragon Hunter 6: Similar to Diablo Immortal, this iteration of Gameloft’s iconic franchise brings a new immersive experience to the series whilst still preserving the essence of its roots: battling enemies, earning loot, and fulfilling quests to save the kingdom of Valenthia. With brand-new adventures, iconic locations, and upgraded visuals, Dungeon Hunter 6 has been able to captivate both loyal fans and newcomers.
- Whiteout Survival: Although entering an already quite saturated market in the 4X Strategy Genre, Whiteout Survival stands out. Based in a glacial apocalypse, players head up a city that is living on the edge. You must rebuild and recruit heroes to your cause as you battle for dominance in the frozen tundra.
- The Lord of the Rings: Heroes: A newfound Ring holds the power to reshape history, and players must choose to fight for good or embrace evil. Elves, Wizards, Hobbits, and iconic characters like Legolas, Frodo, and Gandalf feature in this turn-based fantasy RPG, offering a fresh take on the beloved franchise. Engage in PvP or story-driven battles, form guilds, and lead your team through Middle-earth’s adventures.
Make sure to head over to our Mobile Gaming News Page for more on all the latest happenings in mobile gaming and be sure to vote for your favorite of the nominees for the award of the Best Mobile Game of 2023 over at the official Game Awards Website.
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